Chordale Booker eyes fights against Lara, Adames and Janibek but wants rematch with Austin Williams

CHORDALE Booker has confirmed to be one in every of boxing’s hardest rivals. The Stamford, Connecticut, professional nicknamed “The Gift,” has gained six straight bouts, compiling a decent document of (23-1, 11 KOs).

The 33-year-old southpaw, ranked 9 with the WBO at super-welterweight, has arguably the slickest fingers within the division, bulldozing previous every respectable contender with what looks as if full ease.

A couple of of Booker’s notable wins include his vicious knockout against Nicolas Hernandez in August 2023, regularly sticking his opponent with his bruising left hand which he arrange with faint jabs, and making use of immense strain with his one-two combo—whereas in fact, instilling his detrimental energy hooks. Though extra just lately, a KO victory over Damian Chaves in spherical three, and earlier than {that a} unanimous choice against Greg Vendetti.

“I think what separates me from the rest of the division is my IQ,” Booker defined to Boxing News.

“I know how to adapt to different styles of fighters. I have been in with the best fighters sparring and held my own. Also, I was the number one fighter in the country as an amateur in 2015.”

The query stays now: what’s subsequent for Stamford’s star pugilist? It’s evident that he would moderately chase competitors and garner respect in a sport filled with divas, but not all fighters put logistical bouts over pay-per-view money. One factor is for positive, although: Booker is prepared for a struggle with a world title contender.

“Being ranked ninth in the country, I feel I should be able to get a fight with someone in the top 10 next,” he stated. “I don’t believe it will happen because of the business of boxing, but that’s what I want. I want to fight the best fighters in the sport of boxing. I want to retire knowing I gave it what I had to be world champion — and either I was good enough to make it, or not.”

Regarding why Booker isn’t getting the fights he wants at present, he believes it’s on account of his profession not fairly but hitting the mainstream via the lens of followers within the sport, but additionally as a result of it’s an unstated fact of the hazard he presents towards any opponent.

“I’m sure I’m not getting the fights I want because of my lack of a huge following,” Booker defined. “For these fighters at the top with the public attention, they want money fights. I also know the guys coming up don’t want to fight me because I’m a risky fight for them — they want to take easier tests. If I was such an easy opponent, I would be handpicked the same way Canelo [Alvarez] handpicked [Edgar] Berlanga.”

Moving forward, Booker doesn’t know what’s going to occur for him bout-wise within the the rest of this 12 months, but “when the phone rings, I answer the call and take whatever opportunity is on the table. In my position, I can’t be picky about what I take right now. I want to keep rising in the top 10 to force my way to a title fight.”

Connecticut’s most distinguished southpaw has made it clear who he’s eyeing sooner or later, even when they is perhaps pushing him off in the intervening time.

“The main fight I would like is with Austin Williams, to get that win back. I know I wasn’t myself and I want to run it back. But if I don’t get that fight, it’s cool, I’ll continue to chase down the champions. I want to fight Erislandy Lara, Carlos Adames and Janibek [Alimkhanuly].”

“I want readers to know not every fighter gets the opportunity they deserve if they don’t get that promotional push behind them,” Booker continued. “I’m good enough to be in the ring with the top guys. I’ve sparred top fighters like Jaron “Boots” Ennis, Danny Jacobs, Shakur Stevenson, Jarrett Hurd, Julian Williams, Shawn Porter, Demetrius Andrade, Josh Taylor, and even beat Berlanga once we had been beginner boxers.”