World Boxing News 2010-2013

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor ‘K9’ confirms February 23 bout in Detroit IBF light-middleweight champion Cornelius Bundrage has told WBN that his part of the contract to face fellow-Contender star Ishe Smith is signed and sealed for a home title defence in Detroit. The 39 year-old will put his title on the line for only the third time in two and half years when the two rivals clash on February 23rd at the Joe Louis Arena, although Bundrage stated that a bout with Smith was not originally high on his list of priorities. “There were options, but no, it wasn’t a fight I have wanted for a while,” Bundrage told World Boxing News. “The fight is now signed on my behalf and even though his recent fights with Mayweather Promotions were decent, I still believe I can knock him out in Detroit on February 23." He then added: “This is your boy ‘K9’ - Jesus for life 2013. It’s our year. Roof! Roof! Roof! Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram and Twitter @K9Boxing.” Smith, ...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor World title double-header confirmed by Golden Boy Devon Alexander’s mandatory IBF welterweight title defence against Kell Brook is now set to take place at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan following the bouts postponement from the original date of January 19. Challenger Brook, 26, suffered an ankle injury in training, which meant that next month’s clash - scheduled for the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles, was scrapped and could now be part of a triple-header of world title fights on February 23. A second IBF title contest on the night will take place as Cornelius ‘K9’ Bundrage puts his light-middleweight belt on the line against fellow-Contender Series star Ishe ‘Sugar Shay’ Smith in what will be a hometown defence for the veteran. "We'll have two world title fights, and it could turn out to be three,” stated Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer. "So if we bring three world title fights, including one with hometown champion ...

Frank Stea Trainer responds to the Bundrage split Hall of Fame trainer and manager Emanuel Steward has a reputation that is well respective throughout the boxing world. Steward has worked with some of the biggest names the sport has ever known in Julio Cesar Chavez Sr, Oscar De La Hoya, Tommy Hearns, and Lennox Lewis are just a few names that have been under his guidance in the past. Currently, he is the trainer of the undisputed world heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko.  Last week, IBF junior middleweight champion Cornelius “K9” Bundrage made it public to the boxing world that he no longer needed the services of Steward.  He announced his free agency. Monday evening on ATG Radio, Steward joined us and was asked his side of the story. “Well it’s very clearly. We made a deal. I talked to Golden Boy to win the purse bid to get him a situation where he can fight with his mandatory Cory Spinks. When the highest purse bid with Don K...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor Ugly fight uneased by officiating Cornelius ‘K9’ Bundrage scored a second TKO victory over Cory Spinks amidst laughable refereeing by Ray Corona at the Fantasy Springs Casino in California to retain his IBF light-middleweight title. The 39 year-old had Spinks down in first round of the fight as he looked for an early finish, with the former champion backing into a defensive mode for much of the rest of the contest as Bundrage looked for the one-punch knockout. The fight was marred with prolonged holding throughout and referee Corona looked lost at times as how to separate the two fighters as they bumped heads and stayed inside to long spells in the fight. The ending came with a huge right hand early in the seventh round that saw Spinks fall heavily to the canvas and by rights, the fight should have been stopped there and then with the challenger out on his feet. Corona allowed Spinks to continue not once, but twice as he sprawled a...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor Manager reveals contracts exchanged Former IBF light-middleweight champion Cory Spinks’ manager Scott Hirsch has revealed to WBN that contracts for a rematch with current belt holder Cornelius Bundrage have been exchanged and that Spinks has signed his side of the deal. Spinks, 34, lost his title in a huge upset knockout loss to Bundrage in August 2010 and has since clawed his way back to mandatory status following victories over Shakir Ashanti and Sechew Powell and says his fighter is ready for revenge this year. “I can tell you Cory has signed the contract for the fight and the IBF has ordered Bundrage to fight Spinks as he is the #1 and mandatory contender,” Hirsch told World Boxing News. “I don't know if Bundrage has signed yet. You'd have to ask Manny Steward or Don King. I am not involved in their negotiations but the fight is on.” The bout is now set to take place on June 23 rd at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel in Hollywood...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor Hell ‘Raza’ fatally struck earlier today Boxer Jeff Fraza was struck by a train earlier today and killed at the age of just 34. The Massachusetts-native was fatally hit by an MBTA train on the tracks at 1.30am which was travelling at 35mph and early reports indicate that the light-middleweight fighter was on his cell phone at the time of the collision. Police are now beginning an investigation into the reason why the slain boxer was on the tracks in the first place, which happened close to Fraza’s home in Haverhill. Fraza was part of the original series of ‘The Contender’ but was diagnosed with Chicken Pox before he was able to fight and returned for the second series alongside current and former world champions Cornelius Bundrage and Steve Forbes, losing in the first round to Nick Acevedo. That fight was also the last time Fraza stepped through the ropes for a professional boxing match. His professional record was 17-3 with 10 stoppages...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor Veteran ‘K9’ barks at Mexican youngster IBF light-middleweight champion Cornelius Bundrage has announced that he is now a free agent after leaving Don King and wants to negotiate a unification clash with WBC belt holder Saul Alvarez on the Mayweather v Cotto undercard in Las Vegas. The 38 year-old has held the red belt for almost 18 months now since dethroning Cory Spinks and has been calling out some of the biggest names in the fight game as he looks to seal a mega-fight before stepping away from boxing. The Detroit-native’s only previous defence was a mandatory points win over former foe Sechew Powell, in which the former Contender Series star avenged a 2005 first round knockout defeat to the ‘Iron Horse.’ ‘K9’ is now lined up to face another former opponent as Spinks has ironically, recently scored a victory over Powell to become Bundrage’s next mandatory, although the champion is hoping to meet ‘Canelo’ in May to avoid a less high-pr...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor IBF champ rules out Briton for title bout Former world light-middleweight title challenger Ryan Rhodes’ declaration that he is targeting a bout with IBF belt holder Cornelius ‘K9’ Bundrage has been met with a clear response by the American champion, who isn’t going to wait for the Briton to position himself for a shot. The 38 year-old is currently awaiting a shortlist for his next defence of the title and has exclusively revealed to WBN that Rhodes, 35, will not be in line for a shot after he makes an eight-round comeback at the weekend in Rotherham. “Time is all we got and Rhodes don’t have no time,” Bundrage preached to World Boxing News. “Don’t’ waste it trying to take my belt as it won’t happen and that’s all you got.” Sheffield’s Rhodes will fight Siarhei Khomitski at the Magna Centre on Saturday in his first bout since losing to Saul Alvarez in the twelfth and final round in Mexico and can ill afford another loss at this stage ...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor ‘Raging Bull’ ready to move on from ‘K9’ Pawel Wolak (29-1-1, 19 KO’s) still has eyes for the IBF light-middleweight belt but may now seek an eliminator for the title after his advances were seemingly spurned by current champion Cornelius ‘K9’ Bundrage. The 29 year-old is on the back of a career best fight with Delvin Rodriguez that although ending in a draw, has propelled both fighters into the reckoning for world title at 154lbs. Both fighters are now keen to exploit any opportunities before they consider a rematch with each other. The New Jersey-based Pole, who still works on a construction site as he trains, was hoping to be Bundrage’s second title defence later this year but has had no luck in securing a bout with the belt holder. The ‘Raging Bull’ is now looking at other possibilities and would consider other world champions if they came calling. “I don’t think the Bundrage fight will happen so I am moving on to Plan B,” Wolak told ...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor ‘Raging Bull’ vows to ‘end’ IBF champion’s reign Pawel Wolak has fired back at Cornelius Bundrage after the IBF light-middleweight champion branded the US-based Pole ‘a good stay-busy fight’ to keep him ticking over. The 29 year-old is hoping to gain a shot at ‘K9’ and has given him the nickname ‘Feline’ as he bids to goad the champion into a meeting on December 3 rd . “Feline has fought 20 rounds in 2 years,” Wolak explained to World Boxing News. I am a little worried he will go into cardiac arrest trying to keep up with me. “I assume his trainer is telling him to take the fight only because he will already be there to be in Cotto’s corner that night, otherwise he wouldn’t want to make the trip to watch his Feline call for his wheelchair in the mid-rounds. “He knows I will end him and is playing games and will blame everybody else instead of admitting he ducked me when this doesn’t happen. That’s ok because if I have to become hi...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor (Picture by donking.com) IBF champ Bundrage expresses interest in ‘Raging Bull’ defence After making the first successful defence of his title, Cornelius Bundrage is open to a voluntary bout with US-based Pole Pawel Wolak, who’s popularity is on the rise following a brave performance against Delvin Rodriguez on ESPN Friday Night Fights last month. The 38 year-old seems eager to get back in the ring after waiting almost a year to make his first defence of the title he took from Cory Spinks in August 2010. 'K9' retained his IBF 154lb belt by overturning a first round defeat to Sechew Powell in 2005 by out-pointing the ‘Iron Horse’ in June this year. “Anything is possible,“ Bundrage told World Boxing News. "But he's not in my league but it’s a good stay busy fight at best. “I’m waiting on god, whose laying the plan out for me. He's using Don King and Emanuel Steward to put it together. Nothing's signed yet. But ...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor ‘Raging Bull’ on the warpath for Bundrage shot Light-middleweight contender Pawel Wolak is hoping to capitalise of newly-increased reputation by gaining a shot at IBF champion Cornelius ‘K9’ Bundrage on December 3 rd . The 29 year-old fought out a ten-round war with Delvin Rodriguez last month, fighting most of the fight with a serious hematoma which hampered his sight from the sixth round onwards and eventually ended in a draw. Opponent Rodriguez has been vocal in calling for a rematch with Wolak, although the US-based Pole has become embroiled in a verbal war with Bundrage and continued that when stating his intentions to World Boxing News. “K9 is just another dog with fleas who's tail will be between his legs on December 3," Wolak told WBN. “He can enjoy the belt for four more months." It has been thought that Bundrage, 38, is holding out for a unification with WBC belt holder Saul Alvarez or a catchweight contest w...

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 ...

Phil D. Jay WBN Editor Light-middleweights meet again six years on from their amazing first fight Cornelius “K9” Bundgrage will defend his IBF 154lb title for the first time tonight in Missouri in a rematch with former opponent Sechew “Iron Horse” Powell. The two Americans first met in May 2005 in an unbelievable bout that lasted only 22 seconds, but included a double knockdown with both fighters’ first punches. Immediately after their fight at Foxwoods Resort in Connecticut, Bundrage, 37, entered The Contender tournament, where he reached the semi-finals, whilst 31 year-old Powell has been on the brink of a world title shot ever since, only to lose when the chance of a title bout was just one victory away from being a reality. After becoming number one contender to the IBF title in 2007 with a victory over Terence Cauthen, New-Yorker Powell was pencilled in to meet IBF champion Cory Spinks in the summer of 2008, only for Spinks to lose his title to Verno Phillips in March an...

Phil D. Jay WBN Editor ‘Next Generation’ aims for second win in five Three-time world champion Cory Spinks will step back in the ring tomorrow night on the undercard of Devon Alexander’s match-up with Lucas Matthysse at The Family Arena in Saint Charles, Missouri. The 33 year-old has held the unified welterweight titles and the IBF 154lb title twice in his fourteen-year career and looks to claim his 38th career victory over Shakir Ashanti. Spinks was devastating stopped last August by former Contender Series star Cornelius ‘K9’ Bundrage, who picked up the IBF title in the process and also defends it on the night in a rematch with Sechew Powell. Southpaw Spinks has fought just four times in four years, winning just one and will need to string some victories together to get back into the title mix.

Phil D. Jay WBN Editor (Picture by Brendan Pierpaoli) Bundrage says title defence could happen, but offer has to be right IBF light-middleweight champion Cornelius “K9” Bundrage (30-4, 18 KO’s) has denied reports that his potential rematch with Sechew Powell (26-2, 15 KO’s) is signed and sealed for June 26th on the Devon Alexander v Lucas Matthysse undercard in St. Louis. It had been first thought, by WBN included, that the rematch of their original 2005 meeting, won by Poweell, was all set and agreed for the summer. The former Contender star has stated that an agreement can be reached for his first defence of the title, but has not been finalized yet. “The fight is not signed!” Bundrage told WBN. “I will know more about it in a couple weeks. They just have it listed on boxrec, It might happen but they have to get that contract right, nothing is signed as of yet.” The first meeting between the the 38 year-old champion and Powell, 31, in May 2005 ended dramatically after ...

Phil D. Jay WBN Editor (ROUND 1) What was your first gym “K-9”? My first gym was the world famous Kronk gym in Detriot which is now closed. (ROUND 2) Who influenced you as a young boxer? I’d have to say the young Mike Tyson, who destroyed the heavyweight division in the mid 80’s. (ROUND 3) Who is the toughest opponent you have faced? I’d have to say Kassim Ouma, who I went a tough ten rounds with in March 2008, I won a unanimous decision. (ROUND 4) Who would you like to fight now that you’re the IBF Champ? I’d love to face Manny Pacquiao. I have respect for him but think I could beat him. (ROUND 5) What’s the best fight you have seen? Thomas Hearns v Sugar Ray Leonard in 1981. (ROUND 6) Who is your favourite current fighter? I just like boxing so couldn’t name a favourite fighter. (ROUND 7) What’s your motivation Cornelious? Jesus Christ. ( ROUND 8) What would you change about boxing? Fighter’s retiring broke with no idea of who they are. (ROUND...

Phil D. Jay WBN Editor Negotiations for possible rematch in the works IBF light-middleweight champion Cornelius “K9” Bundrage has revealed to WBN that his team are in “close negotiations” with former opponent Sechew Powell in what would be the Detroit fighter’s first defence of the title gained last August when he blew out Cory Spinks in five rounds . The 37 year-old champion was spectacularly knocked out by Powell in 22 seconds in 2005 in a bizarre bout that started with both boxers hitting each other and scoring a double knock-down, which Bundrage came out of worse and never recovered. Powell, 31, hasn’t fought for a year, since winning an eliminator against Deandre Latimore and was in line to face former champion Spinks, before Bundrage upset the odds at the Scottrade Center and de-throned the St Louis southpaw. It now looks like Powell (26-2, 15 KO’s), will belatedly gain his shot at the IBF 154lb title and its not without a little irony that his opponent will be Bundrage, w...

Phil D. Jay WBN Editor US world champions willing to face each other for 154lb belts IBF light-middleweight champion Cornelius “K9” Bundrage and newly crowned WBA champion Austin “No Doubt” Trout have both expressed their desire to meet each other in an all-American unification fight, following the example of Timothy Bradley and Devon Alexander. Bradley and Alexander faced off for the WBC and WBO 140lb titles last month in a bout that gripped the American public because both men laid their respective titles on the line, with “Desert Storm” Bradley coming out with both belts after ten rounds. Now 25 year-old Trout, who captured the WBA title against Rigoberto Alvarez earlier this month has told WBN that a unifcation with Bundrage would be “amazing” to which “K9” replied “I think it would be good too” as both men seek out an opponent for the summer. Bundrage, 37, hasn’t fought since stunning Cory Spinks almost a year ago to take his title and recently spurned speculation regarding...

Phil D. Jay WBN Editor Bundrage rules out defence against Briton IBF light-middleweight champion Cornelius “K9” Bundrage has told WBN that he isn’t interested in defending his title at the moment and would much rather consider a unification bout with one of the three other 154lb champions in his division. The 37 year-old was linked to a defence against top 10 ranked Ryan Rhodes from Sheffield in the UK, but has denied considering the bout and scoffed at a meeting with the former European champion in the future. “I haven't been in any discussions with anyone from his team, regarding a fight, nor was I offered any money to fight Rhodes oversees or anywhere else,” Bundrage explained to WBN. With the WBC version of the light-middleweight title, formerly held by WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquaio currently vacant, that would still leave three options for the former Contender US semi-finalist, two of which have scheduled bouts in the near future. Rugged Puerto Rican Migue...