INDIO, CALIF., June 4 – After nearly two long years, former Two-Division World Champion Cory Spinks will finally get the chance to even the score with International Boxing Federation (IBF) Junior Middleweight World Champion Cornelius “K9” Bundrage, when the two will meet up in an intriguing title fight rematch that headlines a special Saturday night edition of ShoBox: The New Generation on June 30 at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, Calif.
In their first fight on August 7, 2010, Bundrage stunned Spinks in front of his hometown fans in St. Louis, seizing the IBF 154-pound title with a 5th round technical knockout victory. Spinks will look to exact revenge on neutral ground in Indio on June 30.
Bundrage vs. Spinks, a 12 round fight for the IBF Junior Middleweight World Championship, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions. The ShoBox: The New Generation telecast will air live on SHOWTIME at 9:15 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).
Tickets, priced at $25, $35 and $45, are on sale now and available for purchase at the Fantasy Springs Box Office, by calling (800) 827-2946 or online at www.fantasyspringsresort.com.
Hard-hitting Cornelius Bundrage (31-4, 18 KO’s) didn’t have an easy road on his way to the top, but with determination, an aggressive style and fight-ending power, he earned championship gold. A former star of NBC’s hit boxing reality show ‘The Contender,’ the Detroit native used his notoriety from the series to propel himself into the top ten and beyond, defeating Chris Smith, Kassim Ouma and Grady Brewer to earn a title shot in 2010. Despite the odds against him, Bundrage defeated the hometown hero and after defending his title (and avenging an earlier loss) by beating Sechew Powell in 2011, the 39-year-old is ready to meet Spinks again.
One of the top boxers of this era, St. Louis’ former Undisputed Welterweight World Champion Cory Spinks (39-6, 11 KO’s) is a slick boxer who possesses an impressive defensive game along with a will to win that is second to none. A member of one of boxing’s first families, along with his father Leon and uncle Michael, Spinks joined them among the roll call of world champions in 2003 when he defeated Michele Piccirillo for the IBF Welterweight World Title. Spinks defended his belt three times before losing it to Zab Judah in their 2005 rematch, but by 2006 he was a champion again, beating Roman Karmazin for the Junior Middleweight World Title. After losing and regaining the belt in 2008 and 2009 respectively, Spinks lost his title to Bundrage in August of 2010, but after back-to-back wins on the comeback trail, the 34-year-old has his sights set on capturing a world championship yet again.
Class of 2012’s Day In Sun Nearing
CANASTOTA, NY – JUNE 4, 2012 – For boxers Thomas “Hitman” Hearns and Mark “Too Sharp” Johnson, ring announcer Michael Buffer, trainer Freddie Roach, broadcaster Al Bernstein and journalist Michael Katz, their day in the sun is rapidly approaching. On Sunday, June 10th they will join boxing’s immortals when they are officially inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, New York.
“We are eagerly anticipating paying tribute to the incredible accomplishments of the members of the Class of 2012,” said Hall of Fame Executive Director Edward Brophy. “We look forward to welcoming them to Canastota to take their place in the Hall of Fame.”
“It is so exciting to think that they will be boarding airplanes in a few short days and making the trek to Canastota to receive boxing’s highest honor.”
Detroit’s Hearns won world titles in multiple divisions, Washington, D.C.’s Johnson was flyweight and super flyweight world champion, Buffer is known worldwide for “Let’s Get Ready To Rumble,” Roach has trained over 20 champions, Bernstein has a 30-year career as broadcaster for ESPN and SHOWTIME and journalist Katz wrote for The New York Daily News and The New York Times. Posthumous inductees will also be honored at the ceremony.
Each living inductee will receive a Hall of Fame Induction Certificate and gold Hall of Fame Ring. Also, a plaque with their biography and photo will be on permanent display on the Hall of Fame Wall. The Official Enshrinement Ceremony will be held on the Hall of Fame Museum Grounds in Canastota, New York on Sunday, June 10th at 2:30 p.m.
Over 40 boxing stars are scheduled to participate in weekend festivities.
For more information on the Hall of Fame’s 23rd Annual Induction Weekend please call (315) 697-7095, visit online at www.ibhof.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/InternationalBoxingHallofFame and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/BoxingHall.
WBO ANNOUNCES REFEREE AND JUDGES FOR THIS SATURDAY, JUNE 9, WORLD TITLE BOUT BETWEEN MANNY PACQUIAO AND TIMOTHY BRADLEY
SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO- World Boxing Organization (WBO), by president Francisco “Paco” Valcarcel, announces today the referee and judges who will work this Saturday, June 9, in the welterweight title bout between Manny Pacquiao and Timothy Bradley, to be held at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada, in a Top Rank presentation.
Valcarcel reported that for the Pacquiao (54-3-2, 38 KOs) welterweight (147 pounds) belt fourth defense versus the WBO junior welter champion, Bradley (28-0, 12 KOs), the referee will be Robert Byrd, from United States.
Meanwhile, the judges for the Pacquiao-Bradley fight are Nevada State officials Duane Ford, CJ Ross and Jerry Roth. WBO supervisor for this bout will be Istvan Kovacs, from Hungary.
Remember the 25th Annual Convention WBO Silver Jubilee and Election to be held at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino from October 22 to October 26, 2012. For reservations at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida, you can call 1 800 937-0010 or access www.seminolehardrockhollywood.com. More information at www.wboboxing.com.