Darren Corbett
Encyclopedia
Darren Corbett nicknamed Raging Bull, is a Northern Irish professional boxer. Corbett's weight fluctuated significantly throughout his career and although he had some fights at both heavyweight
and light-heavyweight, the bulk of his contests and his success came at cruiserweight.
as an amateur before turning professional in December 1994, winning his first fight at the G-Mex Leisure Centre, Manchester
, England
, in which he knocked out Donaster's David Jules on a card that included Eamonn Loughran
and Chris Eubank
.
at the Ulster Hall
in Belfast, Northern Ireland. After successfully defending that title against Nigel Rafferty and Noel Magee
, Corbett added the Commonwealth cruiserweight championship to his resume with a win over the then-undefeated Chris Okoh.
Corbett successfully defended that belt against another undefeated fighter, and a man who would go on to hold the Title himself some 11 years later, Robert Norton
. In addition to this, Corbett also won the lightly regarded IBO (International Boxing Organisation) Inter-Continental Cruiserweight Championship. In his next fight after winning the IBO Title, however, Corbett lost his Commonwealth Championship by 10th Round TKO in a unification fight with British Champion Bruce Scott on 28 November 1998.
In March 1999, Corbett's next fight saw him also lose his IBO Inter-Continental Championship to a relative novice in Stephane Allouane, but he rebounded later that year by defeating future British & Commonwealth Light-Heavyweight Champion Neil Simpson
to win the IBO Inter-Continental Light-Heavyweight Title, a belt he never lost in the ring.
Corbett retired from the sport in 2004 but made his comeback in 2008 with a 6-rounds points win in Dublin. On 19 May 2009 he competed in the first cruiserweight instalment of the 'Prizefighter' series, defeating the former Southern Area Heavyweight Champion Micky Steeds on a 3-round points decision in the quarter-finals before losing on a 2nd-Round stoppage to the unfancied Ovill McKenzie
in the semi-finals.
He returned a year later for the second cruiserweight instalment of the 'Prizefighter' series. Again he won his first bout, this time against John Anthony, but he suffered a shock points defeat in the semi-final to journeyman Nick Okoth, who had record of 8-27-5 going into the bout. Okoth started the tournament as a reserve and only came into the tournament after an injury to Herbie Hide
.
Heavyweight
Heavyweight is a division, or weight class, in boxing. Fighters who weigh over 200 pounds are considered heavyweights by the major professional boxing organizations: the International Boxing Federation, the World Boxing Association, the World Boxing Council, and the World Boxing...
and light-heavyweight, the bulk of his contests and his success came at cruiserweight.
Amateur
Corbett boxed for IrelandIreland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
as an amateur before turning professional in December 1994, winning his first fight at the G-Mex Leisure Centre, Manchester
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, in which he knocked out Donaster's David Jules on a card that included Eamonn Loughran
Eamonn Loughran
Eamonn Loughran born in Ballymena, Northern Ireland is a former professional boxer who fought in the light welterweight divisions.-Amateur career:...
and Chris Eubank
Chris Eubank
Chris Eubank, Lord of the Manor of Brighton is a retired British boxer who held world titles at middleweight and super middleweight...
.
Professional
Corbett won his first title belt, the vacant Irish cruiserweight title, in November 1996 with 5th round knockout win over Dubliner Ray KaneRay Kane
Raymond Kaleoalohapoinaʻoleohelemanu Kāne , was one of Hawaii's acknowledged masters of the slack-key guitar. Born in Koloa, Kauaʻi, he grew up in Nanakuli on Oʻahu's Waiʻanae Coast where his stepfather worked as a fisherman....
at the Ulster Hall
Ulster Hall
The Ulster Hall is a concert hall and grade B1 listed building in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Situated on Bedford Street in Belfast city centre, the hall hosts concerts, classical recitals, craft fairs and political party conferences...
in Belfast, Northern Ireland. After successfully defending that title against Nigel Rafferty and Noel Magee
Noel Magee
Noel Magee is a former professional boxer and former Commonwealth light heavyweight Title holder...
, Corbett added the Commonwealth cruiserweight championship to his resume with a win over the then-undefeated Chris Okoh.
Corbett successfully defended that belt against another undefeated fighter, and a man who would go on to hold the Title himself some 11 years later, Robert Norton
Robert Norton
Robert Norton is a British professional boxer who competes in the cruiserweight division. He is the current holder of the British cruiserweight title and is a former holder of the Commonwealth and WBU cruiserweight titles.-Early career:...
. In addition to this, Corbett also won the lightly regarded IBO (International Boxing Organisation) Inter-Continental Cruiserweight Championship. In his next fight after winning the IBO Title, however, Corbett lost his Commonwealth Championship by 10th Round TKO in a unification fight with British Champion Bruce Scott on 28 November 1998.
In March 1999, Corbett's next fight saw him also lose his IBO Inter-Continental Championship to a relative novice in Stephane Allouane, but he rebounded later that year by defeating future British & Commonwealth Light-Heavyweight Champion Neil Simpson
Neil Simpson
Neil Alexander Simpson is a former Scottish international footballer known for his time with Aberdeen F.C.....
to win the IBO Inter-Continental Light-Heavyweight Title, a belt he never lost in the ring.
Corbett retired from the sport in 2004 but made his comeback in 2008 with a 6-rounds points win in Dublin. On 19 May 2009 he competed in the first cruiserweight instalment of the 'Prizefighter' series, defeating the former Southern Area Heavyweight Champion Micky Steeds on a 3-round points decision in the quarter-finals before losing on a 2nd-Round stoppage to the unfancied Ovill McKenzie
Ovill McKenzie
Ovill McKenzie is a Jamaican professional boxer fighting out of Derby in England; he competes primarily in the light heavyweight division but has also fought at cruiserweight...
in the semi-finals.
He returned a year later for the second cruiserweight instalment of the 'Prizefighter' series. Again he won his first bout, this time against John Anthony, but he suffered a shock points defeat in the semi-final to journeyman Nick Okoth, who had record of 8-27-5 going into the bout. Okoth started the tournament as a reserve and only came into the tournament after an injury to Herbie Hide
Herbie Hide
Herbie Hide is a British boxer of Nigerian heritage from Norwich currently fighting in the cruiserweight class...
.