Hide slams "unprofessional" Corbett

Herbie Hide was none too impressed with Darren Corbett at yesterday's Prizefighter weigh-in after the Irishman failed to make the 14st 6lbs Prizefighter cruiserweight limit at the first attempt scaling 14st 7lbs 1oz. The pair could meet in the semi-final of tonight's tournament. Sky Sports televise live from 9pm.

After witnessing Hide looking lean and mean at 38 years I wanted to find out his secret but his initial reply was firmly directed towards his fellow prizefighter. Hide answered: “If you look at people like Darren Corbett who are fighting cruiserweights and can’t even make the weight properly. I’m a two-time former heavyweight champion and I made the weight easy. Now they have to go sauna, it shows they are unprofessional. You know you’re coming out here to do a job so you’re supposed to have got your weight right.”

In comparison, Hide has a point as Corbett is a year younger than the former WBO heavyweight champion and Hide revealed his secret is ‘sheer hard work.’ Corbett was given an hour to shed his excess and weighed in the second time behind closed doors. Matchroom later announced his weight as 14st 6lbs.

If Hide and Corbett both win their quarter final matches (against Wayne Brooks and Jon Anthony respectively) they are due to clash in the semi finals. Herbie is unconcerned at any potential risk of defeat in Prizefighter and losing his current WBC number three ranking.

“Everything you do in life is a risk, I need the fights, I’m not going out there to get the payday, I’m going out there to try myself as well. It’s not like I’m dying for money. I’m not going out there to get paid, I’m going out there to fight” (Although £32,000 winner’s cheque will be welcomed).

When I asked Herbie if he was confident of coming out as the eventual winner, pausing to sip some water he then boldly answered “I have no doubt in my mind”.

Herbie is once again fighting on a Matchroom promotion and says he’s grateful to be back under the banner that first put him on the world title ladder. Outright victory tonight could see him climbing to the top once again and Barry Hearn’s team may just be there with a world title bout as an added bonus.