Good fight for me, better fight for boxing

— says Austin of new opponent Holmes

Mark ‘The People’s Choice’ Austin is unfazed about the change of his opponent for the August 27 card dubbed ‘Bad Intentions’.

In fact, he has taken the switch right on the chin and is still confidently coming forward.

Richard Holmes
Richard Holmes

The middleweight prospect was due to take on Jamaican, Michael Gardner at the Giftland Mall, but the organizers have announced that he will instead face a much tougher opponent, Gardner’s countryman, Richard ‘The Frog’ Holmes.

Although the switch is far from ideal, improving his record by defeating a former national champion augurs well for the 25-year-old.

“It’s a better fight for me, it’s a good fight for boxing as well,” Austin said of the eight-round match up yesterday.

“It’s another challenge for me and whoever knows me know that I like challenges, I like to earn my respect, earn my credit and this is what it is. I’m just going to have more credit for beating Holmes since I’m going for the win.”

While there was a change in the co-feature, the headline bout remains the same.

Mark Austin hitting the pads during training recently.
Mark Austin hitting the pads during training recently.

’Bad Intentions’ will be headlined by former world champion, DeMarcus ’Chop Chop’ Corley  (46-27-1, 26 KO’s) and Dexter ‘The Cobra’ Gonsalves for the WBC FECARBOX lightweight title.

Corley brings experience and will be an interesting opponent for Gonsalves despite being 42 years old.

At the height of Corley’s career in the early part of the 2000’s, he picked up the WBO super lightweight title and would later pick up a quality victory over the hard punching Randall Bailey. Following his win against Bailey he took on Zab Judah and lost a competitive split decision back in 2003.

The undercard features a light heavyweight battle involving Kelsie George and Charwin Estwick (four rounds), a six-round lightweight rematch (Imran Khan versus Quincy Gomes) and some fresh talent. Debutant, Anthony Narine will lace it up against Keeve Allicock.