First professional win for Ennismore boxer
The third time was the charm for Jay Corcoran.
The 46-year-old Ennismore native earned his first professional boxing win with a four-round unanimous decision over Brockville’s Jason Kelly Saturday night at the Hershey Centre in Mississauga.
It was the third bout between the two boxers who fought twice in Peterborough in May and September. Kelly took a split-decision in the opening bout and the second fight was a draw.
Corcoran, a veteran of more than 70 amateur fights, turned pro hoping to get a win so he could say he’d done it. He didn’t expect it to take three fights to get it. The Metro Toronto police officer has pledged to retire.
“I’m pretty happy,” Corcoran said Saturday night. “I’d never fought first on a card before and my biggest concern was making sure everyone I knew got there on time.”
Despite having a point deducted for a low blow in round three Corcoran won by scores of 39-36, 39-37, 39-37.
“In 73 amateur fights and two professional I’d never had a point deducted before,” said Corcoran. “I thought, oh great, here we go. I felt I’d won the first two rounds and now all he needed was to win the round to be even. I still won by unanimous decision.”
After fighting twice in Peterborough Corcoran enjoyed fighting at the larger venue where 5,400 people attended the card headlined by former world champion Brandon Cook.
“To win that first one and to do it on that stage was pretty good,” said Corcoran. “You look out into the crowd and there are former Olympians and pro boxers there. With all those good fighters there I wanted to put on a good show.”
Corcoran has trained with Cook’s stable for all three pro fights.
“I’ve learned so much training with these pros. I really learned how to relax,” he said. “I learned you can’t go out and use up all your energy in the early part of the round. I was more relaxed this fight.”
He was also in better shape, he said.
“We really worked on finishing strong. You can win the first twoand-a-half minutes of a round and the other guy can steal it in the last 30 seconds,” he said. “My jab was stronger. The first two fights he was able to push me back. This fight I cut off the ring good. I had the middle of the ring the whole fight.”