Things finally warming up for Cori

THE career of Cori Gibbs, a fighter with talent to burn, continues to smoulder when many believe it should be well and truly ignited.

- THE MIDLAND BOXING BEAT WITH MIKE LOCKLEY

The former outstanding Birmingham amateur, part of a brotherly boxing double act - sibling Tion is a former Midlands champ - has the moves to be a ring marvel.

I have seen the boxer perform on many occasions. He does things in the ring not many can do, he’s smooth as melted butter. He has the looks, he has the class, he has the connections, with top promoters Boxxer on board.

Yet progress to the kind of significant silverware Cori’s skills deserve has been painfully slow. That must frustrate a fighter whose star should be shining brightly. Instead, the 31-year-old remains in the shadows.

As Max McCracken, the respected fight figure guiding Cori’s career, said: “We need to get him moving because I've seen a high level of improvement in the gym?”

On Saturday, Cori’s career gets the kickstart it needs when, after 14 months away from the game, he fights a six-rounder on Anthony Manning's “Nxt Gen” show at Birmingham’s Eastside Rooms.

It’s a decent test. Late sub Cesar Ignacio Paredes, from Peru, is a tough, stubborn warrior. He’s won 18 of 40 (one draw), is near-impossible to stop and recently took red-hot prospect Royston Barney Smith the distance.

He's no mere journeyman. He's not coming to just take the money.

Max said: “He is a southpaw and it meant we had to get in southpaw sparring at very short notice. Cori took it in his stride”

Max pledged his boxer will come in within touching distance of the lightweight division where he belongs.