Gadaleta raises hell

Heavy-hitters spar with Horn ahead of Corcoran clash

BRISBANE slugger Mark Gadaleta is helping world welterweight champ Jeff Horn prepare for a slugfest against London “Hellraiser” Gary Corcoran on December 13 but he has his own war to fight next week.

The heavy-hitting middleweight is part of a big “Christmas Cracker” show at Mansfield Tavern tomorrow week when he tackles hot prospect Asher Wolff.

The Mansfield card also sees cruiserweights Daniel Russell and Ben Kelleher do battle as well as April Adams against Kori Farr for the Australian women’s super-bantamweight title.

Gadaleta is one of several sparring partners working with Brisbane’s world champ to prepare Horn, 29, for Corcoran, 27, a brawling, swarming challenger who never takes a backward step.

Horn’s trainer Glenn Rushton said: “Mark is a very tough, aggressive fighter and perfect as Jeff prepares for Corcoran, who is strong and relentless.

“We’re expecting fireworks. Corcoran’s nickname ‘Hellraiser’ sums up his fighting style. That’s why Jeff’s sparring partners have all been super aggressive. As well as Mark we’ve worked with Michael Katsidis, who is a former world champ, Dennis Hogan who we are pretty sure is a future world champ and a young amateur prospect named Jacob Bobir, who is a tremendous young fighter.”

Corcoran wrapped up his sparring in England on Saturday with a fast-paced 10 rounds against Russia’s former world champion David Avanesyan and he will train in Brisbane for two weeks before the fight.

The London gypsy, who lives in a Travellers Camp near Wembley Stadium, has promised his wife Jennifer and twoyear-old daughter Summer that he will be returning to London with Horn’s red and gold WBO belt.

“The plan is to overpower Horn,” Corcoran said.

“This is the biggest opportunity of my career and we’re going to meet in centre ring and punch it out. I’m expecting a war, that’s what I want and it’s going to be a good fight. Toe to toe.

“I’m a brawler but I can box. I’m very strong and I just keep coming. Win on points, stop him ... whatever.”

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