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Bundrage gains revenge over Powell

Phil D. Jay
WBN Editor

‘K9’ retains world title in first defence

IBF light-middleweight champion Cornelius ‘K9’ Bundrage is still the champion after retaining the title he ripped away from Cory Spinks last August. The 38 year-old has blossomed late in his career and after suffering two defeats as part of The Contender TV series, has remained unbeaten since and looks every inch the world champion.

In a rematch to their amazing 22 second fight in 2005, which Bundrage lost, both were intend on trading heavy blows from the off, with the champion looking the classier fighter and taking a unanimous decision victory to retain his title in his maiden defence. The score’s read 119-109, 117-111 and 115-113 as Bundrage kept his title in a tough battle.

Powell looked in trouble in the fourth round as both men loaded up on their punches, but came back towards the later stages of the round to give Bundrage as good as he got. With Bundrage just having that little bit more experience it ultimately told in the later rounds, with the Detroit fighter seemingly taking the last four rounds to clinch his victory and improve to 31-4.

On the undercard, former Bundrage victim Cory Spinks, 33, got back to winning ways with a dominant win over journeyman Shakir Ashanti. ‘The Next Generation’ took every round of the ten with far more advanced skills than the ten-loss 42 year-old and gained his victory with a shut-out on all three cards.

The Missouri southpaw took his record to 38-6 and will hope to get back in the title mix and gain a possible rematch with Bundrage. Spinks has only won half of his fights since 2005 though and will have to stay more active if he wants to challenge for a version of the world title again in the future.
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