Corley drops unbeaten Bracero three times for first win in seven

Earlier tonight before a sell out crowd at New York City's famed Roseland Ballroom, DiBella Entertainment kicked off the 2012 season of its "Broadway Boxing" series with an exciting nine-bout card. Headlining the card was Brooklyn's undefeated NABF light welterweight champion, Gabriel "Tito" Bracero defending his title against former two-time world champion, DeMarcus "Chop Chop" Corley.

Both fighters looked to be in tremendous shape and spent much of the first round feeling each other out and looking to find their range.

In the second, an overhand left from southpaw Corley opened a n@sty cut over the right eye of Bracero which bled profusely for the remainder of the round. Just as the 10-second bell was about to sound, Corley landed a monstrous right hook that dropped Bracero hard. Bracero beat the count but was on wobbly legs and bleeding badly.

Bracero came out boxing effectively in the third frame and looked to be getting his legs back before a huge overhand left dropped him again badly for the second time in the fight.

Bracero went back to boxing in round four and did well staying on the outside and working behind his jab.

Bracero tasted the canvas for the third time in the fifth when his glove touched the canvas courtesy of a straight left from Corley. Bracero came back strong after the knockdown and seemed to have the edge in the exchanges, but Corley was clearly the heavier-handed of the two fighters.

Bracero began to turn the tide in the sixth stanza as he again was able to stay on the outside and score with his jab and combinations while Corley was looking to land one big blow.

Bracero had another good round in the seventh and sent Corley to the canvas for a flash knockdown in round eight with a short straight right hand.

The last two rounds saw Bracero continue to box from the outside while Corley pressed forward landing the heavier blows. In the end, the judges scored it 96-90, 94-92, 94-92 all for the winner by unanimous decision, Corley. While it was the first loss on Bracero's otherwise perfect record (18-1) he showed the heart of a champion rising from the three knockdowns and getting himself back into the fight. With the win Corley improved to 38-19-1, 22KO's

WBN - World Boxing News: Corley drops unbeaten Bracero three times for first win in seven