Demarcus ‘Chop Chop’ Corley, as was expected, defeated Michael ‘Wasp’ Gardner to advance to the Wray & Nephew White Overproof Rum Contender Series Welterweight boxing final on July 2 at the National Indoor Centre after scoring a unanimous points decision over his opponent at the Chinese Benevolent Association Auditorium on Wednesday night.

Be that as it may, it was no easy ride on the night for the veteran American gloveman of 75 fights, who faced some resistance from Gardener, especially in the early rounds.

Gardner looked to be out of steam by the fifth round, but hung tough to remain on his feet.

However, from here into the final rounds of the seven-round contest, Corley clearly dominated to come away with a unanimous decision.

All three judges Laurence Neufville (67-66), Eddie Cotton and Ransford Burton (69-6) scored the bout in favour of the Washington DC native to increase his ring record to 47 with 27 losses and one draw in 75 fights.

With the victory, Corley booked his place in the final where he will be up against another product of the Carl Grant Bruising Gym of Stony Hill, Richard ‘Frog’ Holmes.

Holmes was last year’s runners-up in the Middleweight division to Kemahl Russell, and two weeks ago, advanced to this year’s Welterweight final after his opponent Tsetsi ‘Lights Out’ Davis was injured during their semi-final clash and was declared unfit to continue in the Contender Series.

“They say that I am old, but I fought like I am a 22-year-old and I used my skills and my experience to outbox Mike,” said Corley.

The victor admitted that the size of his opponent was a factor, but never an element to inspire fear.

“Well, he is a much bigger fighter than I am. I could have gone in much closer to work him, but I did not think that that was such a good idea to do especially against the bigger fighter.

“I am a smaller fighter than he is and I may weigh about 140 lb at this moment and he weighs about 151 right now so, it was prudent for me not to give him any target practice,” Corley said.

Gardner paid tribute to his conqueror.

“Yes, the fight tonight (Wednesday night) was an excellent fight and ‘Chop Chop’ is a remarkable fighter.

“Hats off to him as he was the better man tonight, but I thought the fight to be much closer than they had it on the scorecards. I am making excuses as ‘Chop Chop’ came out the victor and congrats to him. But at the tender age of 22, I see a bright future ahead for me with time, patience and continued proper guidance,” Gardner said.