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

CHORDALE Booker has proven to be one of boxing’s toughest competitors. The Stamford, Connecticut, pro nicknamed “The Gift,” has won six straight bouts, compiling a respectable record of (23-1, 11 KOs).

The 33-year-old southpaw, ranked nine with the WBO at super-welterweight, has arguably the slickest hands in the division, bulldozing past each respectable contender with what seems like complete ease.

A few of Booker’s notable wins consist of his vicious knockout against Nicolas Hernandez in August 2023, continually sticking his opponent with his bruising left hand which he set up with faint jabs, and applying immense pressure with his one-two combo—while of course, instilling his detrimental power hooks. Though more recently, a KO victory over Damian Chaves in round three, and before that a unanimous decision against Greg Vendetti.

“I think what separates me from the rest of the division is my IQ,” Booker explained 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 question remains now: what is next for Stamford’s star pugilist? It’s evident that he would rather chase competition and garner respect in a sport full of divas, but not all fighters put logistical bouts over pay-per-view cash. One thing is for sure, though: Booker is ready for a fight 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 said. “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 currently, he believes it’s due to his career not quite yet hitting the mainstream through the lens of fans in the sport, but also because it’s an unspoken truth of the danger he presents toward any opponent.

“I’m sure I’m not getting the fights I want because of my lack of a huge following,” Booker explained. “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 ahead, Booker doesn’t know what will happen for him bout-wise in the remainder of this year, 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 prominent southpaw has made it clear who he’s eyeing in the future, even if they might be pushing him off for the time being.

“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 when we were amateur boxers.”