COUSHATTA, La. -- Demarcus "Chop Chop" Corley, ranked No. 2 in the World Boxing Council's super lightweight division, is training for a September fight that could possibly help him reclaim a world title.
And a southwestern Louisian filmmaker is chronicling the quest.
Corley was at Grand Casino Coushatta for a boxing match exactly one week before Hurricane Rita hit the area. While there, he met Paul Glasco _ an owner of Lamp Studios, a southwestern Louisiana studio.
Glasco told Corley to give him a call because he was filming the fight for a DVD.
When he called, Corley found out that the area had been devastated by Rita.
"A week went by and I heard they were hit. I was calling to see how he was doing; it was a coincidence _ they got a hit right after we left," he said.
And since Rita, the two have become close friends.
"I was moved that a worldclass boxer would take the time to call someone he barely knew to check on them. We call each other every week or so," Glasco said.
In May, Glasco talked about going for a title and that gave Glasco an idea.
"I had an idea to put together a documentary on what it takes for a world class fighter to train and prepare for a world championship fight. I told him I wanted to show it all _ training in the gym as well as what he does in his free time _ the things we don't ever get to see," he said.
Corley liked the idea. He said that he knew that this wasn't going to be cheap, but they forged ahead anyway.
Last week, Glasco traveled to Las Vegas _ where Corley lives _ to begin filming.
At the time, Corley was spending time with two of his children _ cooking breakfast for them. When asked if he felt as though he was on a reality show, he replied "No _ everything I do in my life is real."
Unlike reality shows, he said, there's nothing prefabricated.
"When I first heard, I was excited that he wanted to do a documentary, but I never thought my life was that interesting. But when we started going through (my life), we realized I had overcome a lot of obstacles," Corley said.
One of them: he was shot twice _ in the spine.
But focus is the key to success, Corley said. And staying focused in "Sin City" can be difficult, Glasco said.
"The casinos _ there's so much of an incredible distraction," he said.
Glasco and Corley are looking for additional funding. They've gotten in touch with many people, including Don King and Chris Lighty, who manages rappers 50 Cent, Busta Rhymes and Missy Elliot.
"Right now, we're coming out of our pockets and it may take longer if we have to do it ourselves," Corley said.
In September, Corley will travel to Scotland to try and regain his world title. He will compete against Britain's Junior Witter, who is the No. 1-ranked boxer. Glasco will accompany him.