Cornelius Bundrage
Encyclopedia
Cornelius Bundrage, is a professional boxer
and current IBF
Junior Middleweight Champion. He is a former UBA Light Middleweight champion and was member of the ESPN
reality show, The Contender.
. In a tightly fought battle for five rounds, the two found themselves practically tied on points, Bundrage knocked Clark down with a massive right hand to the temple, which won him the fifth round on 2 of the 3 judge's scorecards, and won a majority decision (2 judges said Bundrage won, 1 said it was a draw). Bundrage move along in the tournament, while Clark was forced to hang up his gloves and go home.
In the quarterfinal round, Bundrage beat Walter Wright
by unanimous decision.
Bundrage's strength failed him by losing too much weight leading up to the fight, when he faced Steve Forbes in the semifinals; Forbes won a unanimous decision over Bundrage. In which Bundrage and many others in attendance felt that he was robbed.
Bundrage bounced back, then went on to win The Contender bronze medal fight against Norberto Bravo
with a devastating TKO in the seventh round in very impressive fashion.
, Bundrage faced former top welterweight prospect Chris Smith. In an extremely close fight, Bundrage was able to survive a sixth round scare, Bundrage would come back to hurt Smith with a left hook to the jaw in the final seconds of the last round. Bundrage defeated Smith via split decision.
On March 30, 2007 he fought in The Contender Challenge: UK vs. USA
broadcast on ESPN. He won the fight with a 7th round knockout against Colin McNeil, assuring the American team a victory in The Contender Challenge: UK vs. USA. Bundrage showed superiority throughout the fight. The fight took place in New Castle, England.
On July 11, 2007 "Wednesday Night Fights" K9 fought Joel Julio
, a hard-hitting 22-year-old junior middleweight contender who at the time was rated top 3 in all major sanctioning bodies. The fight was held after the ESPY awards at Kodak Theater. Bundrage took the opportunity on 3weeks notice, and loss a dangerous 37 pounds in a 3week span. K9 gave all he had which was not much, and lasted 8 rounds off pure heart. At the 2:28 mark of the 8th, Julio caught Bundrage with a long clean right hand. Julio jumped on Bundrage which caused the referee to call a halt to the fight.
On March 28, 2008 Bundrage would rebound with a career best win. Bundrage defeated former IBF Junior Middleweight Champion Kassim Ouma
by unanimous decision in Salamanca, NY. Bundrage survived an early cut to win by scores of 96-93, 96-93 and 95-94.
On December 13, 2008 Bundrage flew thousands of miles to Germany on 2weeks notice to later upset previously unbeaten prospect European champion Zaurbek Baysangurov
via 5th round KO in a IBF eliminator for the #2 mandatory spot.
On June 27, 2009 Bundrage then fought in another IBF title elminiator vs. Yuri Foreman
, which ended in a 'No Decision'. Foreman accidentally headbutted Bundrage in the 3rd round, after landing a punch, and the ring physician ended the fight.
Junior Middleweight World Champion Cory Spinks
, On August 7, 2010 at the Scottrade Center, Saint Louis, Missouri, United States. Cornelius traveled to his opponent's home town, and scored an impressive 5th round knockout over former five time undisputed champion Cory Spinks the Son of Legendary Leon Spinks. Besides capturing his dream of becoming a world champion. Bundrage also brought a major championship back to his hometown of Detroit, Michigan. There hasn't been a Detroit world champion in (26) years, since the great Thomas "The Hitman" Hearns. Bundrage was able to pressure Spinks throughout the fight cutting off the ring, landing good shots and not letting Spinks get into his rhythm of jab and move, Spinks was able to perry the jab of Bundrage occasionally but couldn't capitalize. Midway through the fifth a perfect 1-2 combo landed on the chin of Spinks backing him up to the ropes, Bundrage followed up with two straight rights to the head that knocked Spinks down and into a daze, Spinks got to his feet but after taking too many good shots and with so much time left in the round the referee Mark Nelson waved of the fight at 1:25 of the round. Declaring Bundrage the new IBF
Junior Middleweight World Champion.
|- style="text-align:center; background:#e3e3e3;"
| style="border-style:none none solid solid; "|Res.
| style="border-style:none none solid solid; "|Record
| style="border-style:none none solid solid; "|Opponent
| style="border-style:none none solid solid; "|Type
| style="border-style:none none solid solid; "|Rd., Time
| style="border-style:none none solid solid; "|Date
| style="border-style:none none solid solid; "|Location
| style="border-style:none none solid solid; "|Notes
|- align=center
|Win
|31–4
|align=left|
Sechew Powell
|UD
|| 12
|2011-06-25|| align=left| The Family Arena, Saint Louis, Missouri
|align=left|
|- align=center
|Win
|30–4
|align=left| Cory Spinks
|TKO || 5
|2010-08-07 || align=left| Scottrade Center, Saint Louis, Missouri
|align=left|
|- align=center
|style="background:#dae2f1;"|NC
|29–4
|align=left|
Yuri Foreman
|NC || 3
|2009-06-27 || align=left| Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US
|align=left|
|- align=center
|Win
|29–4
|align=left|
Zaurbek Baysangurov
|TKO || 5
|2008-12-13 || align=left|
SAP-Arena, Mannheim
, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
|align=left|
|- align=center
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
and current IBF
IBF
IBF may refer to:*International Boxing Federation is one of several boxing organisations* International Bandy Federation former name of Federation of International Bandy , an international governing body for bandy...
Junior Middleweight Champion. He is a former UBA Light Middleweight champion and was member of the ESPN
ESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
reality show, The Contender.
Pro career
Starting out in boxing, Bundrage was a hot prospect remaining undefeated for ten years, which saw his record at (21-0, 13Ko'). As his alias K9 suggests, Bundrage has a reputation of being a dog inside the ring, mauling his opponents with ferocious combinations and vicious uppercuts. In spite of this, those who know Cornelius well, find him outside of the ring as a lighthearted and exuberant personality who loves JESUS CHRIST, his family and giving back to the kids. Cornelius professional boxing record stands at an impressive, (31-4, 18ko's). Bundrage has shared the ring with (7) former world champions during his professional boxing career. K9, is currently managed and trained by Hall of Fame trainer; Emanuel Stewart and is Promoted by Legendary Don King.The Contender
In 2006, professional boxer Cornelius 'K9' Bundrage was a particpant on ESPN's "The Contender" Season 2 boxing reality television show, with Hall of fame host Sugar Ray Leonard and Sylvester Stallone in Hollywood, California. During the show, Bundrage was viewed be millions of fans each week for fourteen weeks straight. He also was named "FAN FAVORITE" out of sixteen boxers from all over the United States. Bundrage was the last picked, winding up on the Blue Team. Wanting to avenge the slight, he volunteered to be the first member of his team to box in the tournament (quoting Matthew 20:16, "And the last shall be first"), and found himself in a match against Michael ClarkMichael Clark (boxer)
Michael Clark is a professional boxer. He has twice won the IBC lightweight title. Commonly known by his stagename, "Cold Blood", he has also held the NABF lightweight title, and been a challenger for the WBO title....
. In a tightly fought battle for five rounds, the two found themselves practically tied on points, Bundrage knocked Clark down with a massive right hand to the temple, which won him the fifth round on 2 of the 3 judge's scorecards, and won a majority decision (2 judges said Bundrage won, 1 said it was a draw). Bundrage move along in the tournament, while Clark was forced to hang up his gloves and go home.
In the quarterfinal round, Bundrage beat Walter Wright
Walter Wright (boxer)
Walter Wright is an American professional boxer.As an amateur, Wright amassed a 90-12 record, which led to high expectations for him as a professional. He opened his pro career by losing in his boxing debut to Matt O'Brien by knockout, despite leading on all three cards...
by unanimous decision.
Bundrage's strength failed him by losing too much weight leading up to the fight, when he faced Steve Forbes in the semifinals; Forbes won a unanimous decision over Bundrage. In which Bundrage and many others in attendance felt that he was robbed.
Bundrage bounced back, then went on to win The Contender bronze medal fight against Norberto Bravo
Norberto Bravo
Norberto Bravo is a Mexican-American professional boxer, and is a contestant on the ESPN reality show "Contender Season 2". As was revealed on the show in a web clip, Bravo suffers from colorblindness...
with a devastating TKO in the seventh round in very impressive fashion.
Career after the Contender
On the January 12, 2007 edition of ESPN's Friday Night Fights at the Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma, WashingtonTacoma, Washington
Tacoma is a mid-sized urban port city and the county seat of Pierce County, Washington, United States. The city is on Washington's Puget Sound, southwest of Seattle, northeast of the state capital, Olympia, and northwest of Mount Rainier National Park. The population was 198,397, according to...
, Bundrage faced former top welterweight prospect Chris Smith. In an extremely close fight, Bundrage was able to survive a sixth round scare, Bundrage would come back to hurt Smith with a left hook to the jaw in the final seconds of the last round. Bundrage defeated Smith via split decision.
On March 30, 2007 he fought in The Contender Challenge: UK vs. USA
The Contender Challenge: UK vs. USA
The Contender Challenge: UK vs. USA was a series of boxing matches on March 30, 2007, held at Metro Radio Arena, Newcastle, England, featuring 6 boxers from the US reality television shows The Contender and The Contender 2. The Contenders, in a team coached by Sugar Ray Leonard, took on 6 boxers...
broadcast on ESPN. He won the fight with a 7th round knockout against Colin McNeil, assuring the American team a victory in The Contender Challenge: UK vs. USA. Bundrage showed superiority throughout the fight. The fight took place in New Castle, England.
On July 11, 2007 "Wednesday Night Fights" K9 fought Joel Julio
Joel Julio
Joel Jalil Julio Mejia is a professional Colombian boxer rated as a junior middleweight. In 2005, he was named ESPN.com's Boxing Prospect of the Year and he has appeared on Ring Magazine's New Faces feature, as well as in ShoBox.-Professional career:Julio's first loss was a 12 round unanimous...
, a hard-hitting 22-year-old junior middleweight contender who at the time was rated top 3 in all major sanctioning bodies. The fight was held after the ESPY awards at Kodak Theater. Bundrage took the opportunity on 3weeks notice, and loss a dangerous 37 pounds in a 3week span. K9 gave all he had which was not much, and lasted 8 rounds off pure heart. At the 2:28 mark of the 8th, Julio caught Bundrage with a long clean right hand. Julio jumped on Bundrage which caused the referee to call a halt to the fight.
On March 28, 2008 Bundrage would rebound with a career best win. Bundrage defeated former IBF Junior Middleweight Champion Kassim Ouma
Kassim Ouma
Kassim Ouma is a Ugandan boxer. He is currently the NABA middleweight champion.-Early life:Born into poverty, at the age of six he was kidnapped and forced to join the National Resistance Army and consequently did not see his family for five years. Ouma is the 7th of 13 children, which include 7...
by unanimous decision in Salamanca, NY. Bundrage survived an early cut to win by scores of 96-93, 96-93 and 95-94.
On December 13, 2008 Bundrage flew thousands of miles to Germany on 2weeks notice to later upset previously unbeaten prospect European champion Zaurbek Baysangurov
Zaurbek Baysangurov
Zaurbek Baysangurov is a chechen boxer and the current interim WBO Light Middleweight Champion.-Amateur:...
via 5th round KO in a IBF eliminator for the #2 mandatory spot.
On June 27, 2009 Bundrage then fought in another IBF title elminiator vs. Yuri Foreman
Yuri Foreman
Yuri Foreman is a Belarusian-born Israeli-American professional boxer. He is a former World Boxing Association super welterweight champion...
, which ended in a 'No Decision'. Foreman accidentally headbutted Bundrage in the 3rd round, after landing a punch, and the ring physician ended the fight.
IBF title
After four setback losses, two IBF eliminators and a no contest, Cornelius Bundrage finally got his well-deserved title fight with former undisputed welterweight champion and then current IBFIBF
IBF may refer to:*International Boxing Federation is one of several boxing organisations* International Bandy Federation former name of Federation of International Bandy , an international governing body for bandy...
Junior Middleweight World Champion Cory Spinks
Cory Spinks
Corey Spinks is a professional boxer. He is a former IBF Light middleweight champion, and a former Undisputed Welterweight Champion....
, On August 7, 2010 at the Scottrade Center, Saint Louis, Missouri, United States. Cornelius traveled to his opponent's home town, and scored an impressive 5th round knockout over former five time undisputed champion Cory Spinks the Son of Legendary Leon Spinks. Besides capturing his dream of becoming a world champion. Bundrage also brought a major championship back to his hometown of Detroit, Michigan. There hasn't been a Detroit world champion in (26) years, since the great Thomas "The Hitman" Hearns. Bundrage was able to pressure Spinks throughout the fight cutting off the ring, landing good shots and not letting Spinks get into his rhythm of jab and move, Spinks was able to perry the jab of Bundrage occasionally but couldn't capitalize. Midway through the fifth a perfect 1-2 combo landed on the chin of Spinks backing him up to the ropes, Bundrage followed up with two straight rights to the head that knocked Spinks down and into a daze, Spinks got to his feet but after taking too many good shots and with so much time left in the round the referee Mark Nelson waved of the fight at 1:25 of the round. Declaring Bundrage the new IBF
IBF
IBF may refer to:*International Boxing Federation is one of several boxing organisations* International Bandy Federation former name of Federation of International Bandy , an international governing body for bandy...
Junior Middleweight World Champion.
1st Title Defense
He made the first defense of his IBF title in a Rematch against Sechew "IronHorse" Powell on June 25, 2011 in Saint Charles, Missouri. Powell stopped Bundrage 5 years earlier in a wild rare double knockdown which ended in one round. In the rematch K9 made a statement in showing Powell that their fight years ago was indeed a fluke. By winning a 12 round onesided victory, which avenged his defeat, winning by unanimous decision over Powell. The scores read 119-109, 115-113 and 117-111.Professional boxing record
| style="text-align:center;" colspan="8"|30 Wins (18 knockouts), 4 Losses, 0 Draws,1 No Contest|- style="text-align:center; background:#e3e3e3;"
| style="border-style:none none solid solid; "|Res.
| style="border-style:none none solid solid; "|Record
| style="border-style:none none solid solid; "|Opponent
| style="border-style:none none solid solid; "|Type
| style="border-style:none none solid solid; "|Rd., Time
| style="border-style:none none solid solid; "|Date
| style="border-style:none none solid solid; "|Location
| style="border-style:none none solid solid; "|Notes
|- align=center
|Win
|31–4
|align=left|
Sechew PowellSechew Powell
Sechew Powell is an American boxer.-Amateur career:Nicknamed "Iron Horse", Powell was an amateur standout and was the 2000 National Golden Gloves Light Middleweight Champion and 2001 United States Amateur Light middleweight champion.-Professional career:Powell turned pro in 2002 and was undefeated...
|UD
Devon Alexander vs. Lucas Matthysse
Devon Alexander vs. Lucas Matthysse is an upcoming Jr. Welterweight bout. Alexander returns to the ring after a lack-lusting performance against Timothy Bradley, to face the knockout specialist, Lucas Matthysse whose biggest loss dates backs to November against Zab Judah...
|| 12
|2011-06-25|| align=left|
The Family Arena, Saint Louis, Missouri|align=left|
|- align=center
|Win
|30–4
|align=left|
Cory SpinksCory Spinks
Corey Spinks is a professional boxer. He is a former IBF Light middleweight champion, and a former Undisputed Welterweight Champion....
|TKO || 5
|2010-08-07 || align=left|
Scottrade Center, Saint Louis, MissouriScottrade Center
Scottrade Center is a 19,150 seat arena located in downtown St. Louis, Missouri, opened in 1994. It is the home of the St...
|align=left|
|- align=center
|style="background:#dae2f1;"|NC
|29–4
|align=left|
Yuri ForemanYuri Foreman
Yuri Foreman is a Belarusian-born Israeli-American professional boxer. He is a former World Boxing Association super welterweight champion...
|NC || 3
|2009-06-27 || align=left|
Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, USBoardwalk Hall
Boardwalk Hall, formally known as the Historic Atlantic City Convention Hall, is an arena in Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States...
|align=left|
|- align=center
|Win
|29–4
|align=left|
Zaurbek BaysangurovZaurbek Baysangurov
Zaurbek Baysangurov is a chechen boxer and the current interim WBO Light Middleweight Champion.-Amateur:...
|TKO || 5
|2008-12-13 || align=left|
SAP-Arena, MannheimSAP Arena
SAP Arena is a multi-purpose arena in Mannheim, Germany. It is primarily used for ice hockey and handball, and is the home arena of the Adler Mannheim ice hockey club and the "Rhein-Neckar-Löwen" handball club. Inaugurated in 2005, the arena has a capacity of up to 15,000 people.More than a...
, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
Baden-Württemberg
Baden-Württemberg is one of the 16 states of Germany. Baden-Württemberg is in the southwestern part of the country to the east of the Upper Rhine, and is the third largest in both area and population of Germany's sixteen states, with an area of and 10.7 million inhabitants...
|align=left|
|- align=center