By AARON SNYDER -- The Independent
Ashland
Sat, May 17 2008
—
A local boxer is making national strides and will compete for the IBF Youth Cruiserweight title next month.
Cory “Kid Cobra” Phelps, 24, of Catlettsburg, will take on undefeated Alexander Frenkel in Bayreuth, Germany on May 17.
It is the first time since Nikki Eplion faced Laila Ali for the women’s IBA Super Middleweight title that a local fighter will vie for a title of this magnitude.
The 6-foot-2, 188-pound fighter is 14-3-1 in his three-year career and has never fought an undefeated fighter, such as Frenkel (14-0). But, Phelps said he is ready for the challenge.
“We’ve watched his schemes on film,” Phelps said. “He’s a really top notch fighter, but I don’t think he’s seen everything we can bring to the table.”
Phelps, trains with his father and former boxer, Larry, something that makes Cory very proud.
“A lot of people said it wouldn’t work out, but we work really well together,” Cory said.
Phelps has also trained with Steve Cunningham, a former IBF Cruiserweight title holder. Phelps plans to travel to Philadelphia, Pa., two weeks before the title fight to train extensively with Cunningham.
“I used to have a job and be a part-time boxer,” Phelps said. “Now I’m a full-time fighter. It makes it better to mentally prepare.”
On March 22, Phelps fought two-time cruiserweight champion Bobby Gunn in Gunn’s hometown of Phoenix, Ariz.
Phelps and Gunn fought to a draw in a fight that controversially ended in six rounds.
“That fight woke me up,” Phelps said. “It made me realize that I can fight with the big leaguers. I felt like I beat him every round.”
According to Phelps, Gunn’s fans were even commenting that Phelps was the clear winner of the fight after it was over, which gave Phelps confidence he will need in Germany.
“There will be 50,000 fans there and little old me,” said Phelps, who will be fighting overseas for the first time. “But I kind of like that. If I do well enough to win the crowd over, that will put it in the judges’ hands.”
Winning the crowd over will not be an easy thing to do for Phelps. He and Frenkel will be bouting in Frenkel’s hometown.
However, Phelps’ will be thinking about his own hometown.
“If (Ashland) gets in right behind me, it will me help me so much,” Phelps said. “People are already asking, ‘are you going to win that fight?’
“The town support is just wonderful. I want to win the title not only for my sport, but for my town.”
Win or lose, Phelps is just glad to have this chance.
“It’s the best opportunity a country kid from Ashland could ever get,” he said. “I’ll be in the top 10 in the world if I win this thing.”
If Phelps defeats Frenkel next month, it will put him in a position in which he can be called up for a chance at the world championship.
AARON SNYDER can be reached at asnyder@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2665.
Copyright © 1999-2008 cnhi, inc.