By Scott Gilfoid: Poor Paul McCloskey (23-2, 12 KO’s) still thinks he could have continued fighting after he was stopped by high level journeyman/contender DeMarcus Corley (39-19-1, 23 KO’s) in the 10th round last Saturday night at the Kings Hall, Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom.

McCloskey said “I am gutted. It’s a big blow to me. I felt I could have fought on.”

No, McCloskey, you couldn’t have fought on. You were finished. You couldn’t even stand up straight without swaying like you were out of it.

Corley had McCloskey out on his feet after nailing him with two powerful right hands in the 10th round. Referee Ian John-Lewis perhaps saved McCloskey from being seriously hurt because he was like Bambi on ice after getting hurt, and in no way ready to defend himself as Corley came sprinting forward to try and finish off. Corley was running forward to add a final right hand smash when referee Ian John-Lewis stepped in to protect McCloskey from Corley’s big finisher.

It would have ended badly for McCloskey had the fight been allowed to continue, because McCloskey didn’t look good walking around the ring even after the fight hand been stopped. He looked hurt and didn’t appear to be all there. His nose was already broken from an elbow by Corley in the 2nd round. There was blood dripping down McCloskey’s face all fight long, and it must have been hard for him to breath because he was basically forced to mouth breath.

I thought McCloskey fought a decent fight apart from the right hands Corley kept clocking him with from time to time, but you knew Corley was going to get to him sooner or later. I think McCloskey lasted as long as he did because Corley threw so few punches in the fight. He was fighting like he was waiting for a single shot knockout instead of going after McCloskey to make things happen. Finally, Corley’s trainer lit a fire underneath him between the 9th and 10th rounds, telling to go after McCloskey. Corley followed his trainer’s instructions perfectly, immediately going after McCloskey and hurting him with a right hook. Moments later, Corley added the big finisher with another right hook that whip-lashed McCloskey’s head around, causing referee Ian John Lewis to step in and rightfully halt the fight. It was a smart stoppage. McCloskey wasn’t going to make it out of that round, and he needed to be saved for another day. What’s the point in letting someone tee off on you when you’re as badly hurt as McCloskey was?