Demarcus Corley

DeMarcus Deon Corley (born June 3, 1974) is an American professional boxer. A veteran of the sport for more than two decades, he held the WBO junior welterweight title from 2001 to 2003, and has fought as a gatekeeper against many of boxing's biggest names.

Amateur career

Corley was an amateur standout, and won the National Golden Gloves Light Welterweight Championship in 1995. Corley also had a record of 100-19.

Professional career

Corley began boxing professionally on May 17, 1996, knocking out Aaron Smith in the first round. Corley would not lose a match until 1999, against Daniel Lujan. Later that year in his 22nd bout with a record of 21 wins 1 defeat (11KO), he faced Ener Julio for the USBA light welterweight title. He won via a 12-round split decision.

WBO light welterweight champion

In 2001 Corley would stop Felix Flores in the first round to win the WBO light welterweight belt. He would later defeat Ener Julio again to defend his belt.

Corley took 2002 off from boxing to recover from the murder of his brother. This murder left Corley to care for his brother’s 7 children on top of the 7 children he already had. He returned to the ring on January 4, 2003.

Loss to Judah

After the Bernard Hopkins vs. Morrade Hakkar bout in Philadelphia in March 2003, Corley was involved in a brawl at a bar with former light welterweight champion Zab Judah which had to be broken up by the police

On the undercard of the rematch between Ricardo Mayorga and Vernon Forrest in July, Corley and Judah met in the ring. Corley was dropped by a looping left from Judah in the third round. He would work himself back into the bout during the middle rounds but Judah was able to control most of the fight by jabbing and moving and making Corley miss with his best punches.

At the end of 12 rounds judge Duane Ford, scored it 115–112 for Corley while judges Chuck Giampa and Michael Pernik, scored it 115–112 for Judah, giving him a split decision victory. HBO's unofficial scorer Harold Lederman had it 116–111 for Judah.

Cotto challenge

In February 2005 Corley attempted to win back his WBO belt against Miguel Cotto, losing by 5th round TKO.

WBC title shot

In 2006 Corley fought Junior Witter for the vacant WBC light welterweight championship, losing a wide decision in a very tactical bout.

Later career

After many consecutive losses, Corley took on Damian Fuller in 2010 and improved his record to 37-13-1 (21 KOs) with a 4th-round TKO.

On August 28, 2010, Corley lost to Marcos Maidana by unanimous decision in a fight in which was disputed, for the WBA light welterweight title.

On November 14, 2010, Corley lost to Serhiy Fedchenko by unanimous decision in a fight in which was also disputed, for the vacant WBO European light welterweight title.

On January 21, 2012, Corley won the vacant NABF light welterweight title when he defeated Gabriel Bracero by unanimous decision.

Bare knuckle boxing

On March 19, 2021, Corley fought Reggie Barnett Jr in Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship. He lost the fight via retirement after the fourth round.

Professional boxing record

Bare Knuckle Boxing Record

, -
, Loss
, align=center, 0–1
, Reggie Barnett Jr.
, TKO (retirement)
, Bare Knuckle FC 16
,
, align=center, 4
, align=center, 2:00
, Biloxi, Mississippi, United States
,
, -

References

External links

*

{{DEFAULTSORT:Corley, DeMarcus
1974 births
Boxers from Washington, D.C.
Living people
Southpaw boxers
World Boxing Organization champions
American male boxers
World light-welterweight boxing champions
Lightweight boxers
Light-welterweight boxers
Welterweight boxers
20th-century American sportsmen