Cortez Bey Looking For a New Start
By Ken Hissner, Doghouse Boxing (May 21, 2011) Doghouse Boxing
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Cortez Bey
Cleveland’s Cortez and Mickey, Bey, Jr., as brothers were two of the top amateurs back in 2003. They both fought their way to the finals of the National PAL tournament. As per agreement prior to the start Cortez would bow out if both reached the finals since Mickey being No. 1 in the country was fighting for a spot on the 2004 Olympic team. After Cortez moved up to Mickey’s division he attempted to move up one more to make the Olympic Trials but time didn’t allow for it. Mickey made the Olympic team but illness kept him from going to Greece.

Upon turning professional they signed with Square Ring which is headed by Roy Jones, Jr. Cortez who is one year younger and one inch shorter is the heavier of the two. Mickey has been able to maintain his weight at 130. Cortez is at 147 hoping to fight his way down to 140. He is currently 8-1-1 with 4 knockouts having turned professional in April of 2005 stopping David Maund, 3-5, of the UK with a devastating left hook in 1:43 of the first round. Both brothers scored knockouts in the first round. They have fought on the same card six times.

Cortez moved up to six rounds in his third fight posting his third consecutive knockout beating Jesus Guzman, 3-1, at Auburn Hills, MI, in the first round. In 2006 both brothers would not fight due to contract problems. In February of 2007 they returned to the ring. “I had my toughest fight next,” said Bey. He defeated southpaw Juan Alfonso Figueroa, 5-4-1, in Santa Ynez, CA, over six rounds by scores of 59-54, 58-55 and 57-56.

In June he defeated Sebastien Hamel, 6-9-1, by majority decision in Hartford, CT., over six rounds. He was now up to 140 after debuting at 129. In September he took on southpaw Roberto Acevedo, 3-2-3, in Ontario, CA. “When the bell rang it was when I found out I was fighting a southpaw,” said Bey. He won by split decision over six rounds.

After a busy 2007 Bey would again become inactive until October in 2008. “I got this fight through Shane Mosley, on a Golden Boy card,” said Bey. He would shut out Marlo Cortez, 2-6-2, over four rounds. He would sign with Cameron Dunkin along with his brother Mickey and would be promoted by TKO Boxing. It would be eight months until his next fight against Henry White, Jr., who grew up one block from him.

“I didn’t have a signed contract for this fight and was told the fight would be at 140. Chris Middendorf of TKO (where he and Mickey signed in March 2009) told me the night before that Dunkin would take his share of the purse. I don’t think that was smart to tell me that before the fight,” said Bey. Jeff Mayweather would be in his corner.

“I really strained to make the weight only to find out at the weigh-in which was the day of the fight it was 144 not 140,” said Bey. He won the first round and was out of gas. “I barely got through the next two rounds and couldn’t come out for the fourth. A fight I should have easily won,” said Bey. It would be his first loss and at the Memorial Field House, in Campbell, OH.

“I kept getting promises of a fight from Dunkin but nothing ever amounted to anything. I asked for my release and eventually got it,” said Bey. It would be ten months between fights when Barry Hunter who works with the Peterson brothers got him a fight on a Top Rank card in Las Vegas. “The only problem was he made it too low at 137,” said Bey. His opponent was Marcos Herrera, 5-1. He would take the fight 58-56 on one card but the other two judges had it 57-57. “I was told if I was impressive Top Rank would sign me but I knew I wasn’t impressive,” said Bey. Mickey is now with TR and 16-0-1 (8).

For most of his earlier fights Floyd Mayweather, Sr. was training him. Mickey and he go way back being friends of Floyd, Jr. in the amateurs. For the one fight under Dunkin Jeff Mayweather worked with both brothers. “Rodney Crisler out of Gary, IND, works with me now here in Vegas,” said Bey.

His favorite fighters have been Aaron Pryor, Roberto Duran, “Sugar” Ray Robinson and Kid Gavilan. His hero’s are God, Robinson, Ali, Malcolm X and Jamaican Marcus Garvey.

Bey had such a good amateur background having won the prestigious Ohio State Fair five times. He was the US Junior Olympic champion in 2002 and runner-up in both the US National’s and US PAL in 2003. He compiled a 109-14 record before turning professional in 2005.

Certainly ten fights in five years is not enough, plus having not fought in a year. He is only 26 and needs to work his was down to 140 being at the crossroads of his career. For Bey at 26 he is ready for “a new start”!

“He’s a good kid and works hard in the gym. I know he’s been looking for a manager,” said Jesse Reid. Reid works with Freddie Roach now and has had his share of good fighters and champions. You get out of boxing what you put into it. Hard work doesn’t always pay off without the right manager or promoter. Bey has had his share of both. He’ fortunate his brother has set a good example for him to follow.



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