By Michael Doss

Last week, BoxingScene.com reported that British welterweight champion Bradley Skeete (27-1, 12KOs) stated that WBO welterweight Jeff Horn is avoiding a fight with him to instead fight fellow country Gary Corcoran (17-1, 7KOs). 

Skeete said that by fighting Corcoran, Horn was taking the “easier option”.

Corcoran is the leading candidate to challenge Horn (17-0-1, 11KOs) in November for the welterweight championship.   An official announcement is expected soon.

Horn crashed on the scene in July, when he won a shocking twelve round decision over huge favorite Manny Pacquiao to capture the WBO title.

A rematch was scheduled in November, but Pacquiao had to withdraw due to conflicts with his political schedule. That's when Skeete and Corcoran came in the picture.

“Me and Bradley are good mates.  I sparred a lot with Bradley.  I know what Bradley is about and he knows what I am about.  He’s always been a welterweight.  I only came down in my last two fights.  He can say what he wants to say.  If I get it, I get it,"  Corcoran told ATG Radio.

Both British fighters are Frank Warren promotional stablemates, and they know this opportunity can only go to one.  It creates a domestic rivalry between the countrymen on who will get the first crack at gold.

 “Listen I’ll fight Bradley.  If you said to me I get to choose someone, when I beat Jeff Horn, I’ll fight Bradley no problem. I spar Bradley all of the time so I know what he’s about.  Me and Bradley are mates at the end of the day but it’s business," Corcoran said.

“If it comes to business and you say to me I’m fighting Bradley tomorrow, I’ll fight Bradley tomorrow.   I’m just going to look for the biggest fight out there.

Michael Doss is the host of ATG Radio, which airs every Monday and Wednesday.   Please email any questions and comments to mkydos@gmail.com