Cornelius Bundrage
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| Cornelius Bundrage | |
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| Statistics | |
| Real name | Cornelius Bundrage |
| Nickname(s) | K9 |
| Rated at | Light Middleweight |
| Nationality |  American |
| Born | April 25, 1973 Detroit, Michigan |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 34 |
| Wins | 30 |
| Wins by KO | 18 |
| Losses | 4 |
| Draws | 0 |
| No contests | 1 |
Cornelius Bundrage (born April 25, 1973 in Detroit, Michigan) is an American professional boxer and the current IBF Light Middleweight Champion. He is a former UBA Light Middleweight Champion and was a member of the ESPN reality show, The Contender.
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[edit] 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. Bundrage is currently managed and trained by Hall of Fame trainer Emanuel Stewart and is promoted by Don King.
[edit] 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 Clark. 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.
[edit] Career after the Contender
On the January 12, 2007 edition of ESPN's Friday Night Fights at the Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma, Washington, Bundrage faced former top welterweight prospect Chris Smith. In an extremely close fight, Bundrage was able to survive a sixth round scare and 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 Metro Radio Arena, Newcastle, 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 lost a dangerous 37 pounds in a 3 week 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 Light 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 2 weeks notice to later upset previously unbeaten prospect European Champion Zaurbek Baysangurov via 5th round KO in a IBF eliminator for the #2 mandatory spot.[1]
On June 27, 2009 Bundrage then fought in another IBF Title Elminiator against 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.
[edit] 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 IBF Light Middleweight 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 Spinks. Besides capturing his dream of becoming a world champion, Bundrage also brought a major championship back to his hometown of Detroit, Michigan. There hadn't been a Detroit world champion in 26 years since Thomas 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 Light Middleweight Champion. [2]
[edit] 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.
[edit] Professional boxing record
| 31 Wins (18 knockouts), 4 Losses, 0 Draws,1 No Contest | |||||||
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Type | Rd., Time | Date | Location | Notes |
| Win | 31–4 1 NC |
Sechew Powell |
UD | 12 | 2011-06-25 | The Family Arena, Saint Louis, Missouri |
Retained IBF Light Middleweight title. |
| Win | 30–4 1 NC |
Cory Spinks |
TKO | 5 (12) | 2010-08-07 | Scottrade Center, Saint Louis, Missouri |
Won IBF Light Middleweight title. |
| NC | 29–4 1 NC |
 Yuri Foreman |
NC | 3 (12) | 2009-06-27 | Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US |
IBF Light Middleweight Title Eliminator. Foreman received an unintentional headbutt and was unable to continue. |
| Win | 29–4 |  Zaurbek Baysangurov |
TKO | 5 (12) | 2008-12-13 |  SAP-Arena, Mannheim, Baden-Württemberg, Germany |
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| Loss | 28–4 | Grady Brewer |
SD | 10 | 2008-11-13 | Dunkin Donuts Center, Providence, Rhode Island, United States |
IBO Light Middleweight Title Eliminator. |
| Win | 28–3 |  Kassim Ouma |
UD | 10 | 2008-03-28 | Seneca Allegany Casino, Salamanca, New York, United States |
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| Win | 27–3 |  Nelson Manchego |
TKO | 5 (10) | 2007-10-26 | Eastern Michigan University Convocation Center, Ypsilanti, Michigan, United States |
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| Loss | 26–3 | Joel Julio |
TKO | 8 (10) | 2007-07-11 | Kodak Theatre, Hollywood, California, United States |
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| Win | 26–2 |  Colin McNeil |
TKO | 7 (8) | 2007-03-30 |  Metro Radio Arena, Newcastle, Tyne and Wear, United Kingdom |
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| Win | 25–2 |  Chris Smith |
SD | 10 | 2007-01-12 | Emerald Queen Casino, Tacoma, Washington, United States |
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| Win | 24–2 | Norberto Bravo |
TKO | 7 (8) | 2006-09-26 | Staples Center, Los Angeles, California, United States |
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| Loss | 23–2 | Steve Forbes |
UD | 5 | 2006-02-10 | Contender Gymnasium, Pasadena, California, United States |
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| Win | 23–1 | Walter Wright |
UD | 5 | 2006-02-03 | Contender Gymnasium, Pasadena, California, United States |
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| Win | 22–1 | Michael Clark |
MD | 5 | 2006-01-17 | Contender Gymnasium, Pasadena, California, United States |
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| Loss | 21-1 | Sechew Powell |
TKO | 1 (10) | 2005-05-06 | Foxwoods Resort, Mashantucket, Connecticut, United States |
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| Win | 21–0 | Jonathan Corn |
TKO | 2 (10) | 2005-02-18 | State Fair Grounds, Detroit, Michigan, United States |
Won UBA Intercontinental Light Middleweight title. |
[edit] Personal life
True to his promise made on "The Contender," Bundrage married his wife Shawana after the show ended in 2006. They have two children, Dai'shaun and Omnae.
[edit] References
www.twitter.com/K9boxing
[edit] External links
| Preceded by Cory Spinks |
IBF Light Middleweight Champion August 7, 2010 – present |
Incumbent |
