“K9” Bundrage Champ at last!

“K9” Bundrage Champ at last!

By Ken Hissner (Aug 10, 2010) Doghouse Boxing

A return call came from the new IBF light middleweight champ Cornelius “K9” Bundrage Monday night. This writer tried reaching him Sunday, the day after stopping Cory Spinks at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis in the fifth round Saturday night for the title. Having covered the former “Contender” show boxer and his elimination bout with Yuri Foreman in June of 2009 that ended in a No Contest, I was thrilled for the 37 year old Detroit boxer. It had been fifteen years of ups and downs in a thirty-five fight career for the new champion. “You can never count me out. God is great,” said Bundrage.

This was part of a three title fight card that Don King Promotions put on. The people of St. Louis didn’t have much to cheer about watching two cruiserweights from Florida in Tavoris Cloud and Glenn Johnson fighting for the IBF title. Then the end to the sixteen month reign of Spinks making his first defense and losing. This ended with a controversial decision for Devon Alexander of St. Louis over Andriy Kotelnik for the IBF/WBC light welterweight titles.

Bundrage was asked if he was intimidated going into the city of St. Louis. “Usually I am the one who intimidates when they see all these muscles,” said Bundrage. There had been reports of Spinks not being in shape with the postponements of this fight. “I have been ready since June of 2009 for Spinks,” said Bundrage. That was the night in Atlantic City when Yuri Foreman decided to go head to head with him and what seemed like an accidental head butt caused by Foreman in the third round. While Bundrage was left high and dry, Foreman got a WBA title fight and defeated Daniel Santos to become their champion. He lost the title this past June to Miguel Cotto. It had been fourteen months since he last fought. “I was surprised Spinks didn’t run but decided to keep it inside. I hit him with hard shots and he took them like nothing. He was in shape but gave up mentally,” said Bundrage.

By the fifth round the referee had no choice but to stop the bout and crown the new IBF champion. “I’m a God fearing man that loves Jesus Christ. Besides known as “K9” I’m now the “Iron Man”, said Bundrage. This writer asked now what? “Manny (Steward) and I will sit down with Don King and see what he has to offer us,” said Bundrage. His No. 1 contender is Sechew Powell whom he suffered his first loss to back in 2005. Powell had defeated Deandre Lattimore in March in an IBF elimination bout to become the top contender. Bundrage shot to the top of the ratings in 2008 when he went to Germany and defeated then unbeaten European champion, Zaurbek Baysangurov. He was the No. 2 when he got his title fight with Spinks.

One down and two to go,” said Bundrage. When asked about fighting the WBA champion Miguel Cotto, Bundrage said, “I doubt that since Manny trains both of us.” The WBC title is vacant with Antonio Margarito of Mexico their No. 1 contender. Though he is talking about fighting Manny Pacquiao, the current WBO welterweight champion, Saul Alvarez is the current No. 2 WBC contender. He is also from Mexico which could make for an all Mexican title bout if Margarito is not allowed to fight in the US.

Bundrage is now 30-4, with twenty-eight knockouts. Under the direction of Steward he has a top trainer and manager who will be looking out for his best interests though Bundrage is obviously looking at a big money fight. He called out Floyd Mayweather, Pacquiao and Shane Mosley after his victory. Hopefully he doesn’t have to wait another fourteen months to defend his title. And the new IBF light middleweight champion, Cornelius “K9” Bundrage, the Iron Man!

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