By James Slater – No sooner had he upset the odds and Cory Spinks in winning the IBF 154-pound title back in August, was Cornelius “K-9” Bundrage calling out the biggest and best names operating at or around his weight class. Calling out stars such as Miguel Cotto and “Sugar” Shane Mosley, the 37-year-old, one-time participant on the popular “Contender” reality show had to know his chances of landing either superstar were somewhat slim. However, at least those two guys are active fighters..
In a recent, surprising, interview Bundrage, 30-4(18) gave with Fightnews.com, the Detroit warrior actually called out Oscar De la Hoya! Even though “The Golden Boy” retired shortly after his one-sided beating at the hands of current pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao in Dec. 2008, “K-9” thinks the superstar/world class promoter can be tempted back into the ring. However, even though he is the same age as the reigning IBF light-middleweight champ, De La Hoya is likely to be as surprised as I was when reading Bundrage’s comments.
“This would be a great comeback fight for him,” Bundrage said of his offer to Oscar. “It is a chance for him to go out on top, and who is better to go out against than a champion? Oscar loves boxing and he loves the spotlight. I’m not sure if he’s been training or not, but I think he will come back to face K-9. One guy I look up to and admire is Oscar.
“I fight for Don King, and it is time for Don King and Golden Boy to do some business. I would love to fight the winner of Paul Williams and Sergio Martinez, but right now I am focusing on Oscar.”
Surely, if he is actually focusing on a possible fight with De La Hoya, Bundrage is wasting his time! Sure, De La Hoya has thought about coming back (there were rumours a while back that he might come back for a fight with Julio Cesar Chavez Junior), but he now seems content as a promoter; a darn powerful one, at that!
Would Oscar really risk adding another loss to his record in a fight with Bundrage? For what? Okay, the IBF title is a legitimate belt, and one that would look nice around Oscar’s 37-year-old weight (assuming he could even make 154 these days), but is the chance to win it enough to make the multi-millionaire push his body through one more rigorous training camp? I think not, and deep down, “K-9” surely thinks not himself.
As for Bundrage’s chances of taking on the winner of November 20th’s middleweight title fight rematch, here too he looks to be out of luck. Both Williams and Martinez have already said they only want the big, mega-fights, and begging “K-9’s” pardon, he doesn’t fit the bill. Still, it’s hard not to admire Bundrage’s ability to aim high!