Cornelius Bundrage

Cornelius Bundrage
Statistics
Real name Cornelius Bundrage
Nickname(s) K9
Rated at Light Middleweight
Height 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)
Reach 72.0 in (183 cm)
Nationality United States American
Born (1973-04-25) April 25, 1973
Detroit, Michigan
Stance Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights 41
Wins 34
Wins by KO 19
Losses 6
Draws 0
No contests 1

Cornelius Bundrage (born April 25, 1973 in Detroit, Michigan) is an American professional boxer and a former IBF Light Middleweight Champion. He is a former UBA Intercontinental Light Middleweight Champion and was a member of the ESPN reality show, The Contender.

Pro career

Starting out in boxing, Bundrage was a top prospect, remaining undefeated for ten years, which saw his record at (21-0, 13 KOs). As his alias K9 suggests, Bundrage had a reputation of being a dog inside the ring, damaging his opponents with fierce combinations. Cornelius' professional boxing record stands at (32-4, 19 KO's). Bundrage has shared the ring with 7 former world champions during his professional boxing career. Bundrage is currently a world champion boxing free-agent. His advisor is Bill Waller, and managed by Shawana Bundrage.

The Contender

In 2006, professional boxer Cornelius 'K9' Bundrage was a participant 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 by 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 moved along in the tournament, while Clark was forced to hang up his gloves and go home.

In the quarterfinal round, Bundrage beat Walter Wright via 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, with the fans booing Bundrage because of intentional punches at the back of Forbes head.

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.

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 3 weeks 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 November 13, 2008, Bundrage would face the respected journeyman fighter Grady Brewer. Bundrage lost the bout via controversial split decision that not only did many think he deserved, but led on punch-stats via a margin that was unexpected.

Then just a month later 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 an 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'. Bundrage accidentally headbutted Foreman in the third round and the ring physician ended the fight.

IBF title

After four separate setback losses, two IBF eliminators and a no contest, Cornelius Bundrage finally got his questionable 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]

1st Title Defense

He made the first defense of his IBF title in a rematch against Sechew "Iron Horse" 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 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.

Rematch with Spinks

On June 30, 2012, K9 rematched Cory Spinks to defend his title for the second time in San Jose California on SHOBOX: the new generation. After knocking Spinks down in round 1, the fight began to even up until K9 dropped Spinks three times in the 7th round en route to a TKO victory. He then expressed his interest and desire to face fellow world champion, WBC Light Middleweight Champion Saul Alvarez.

Losing the IBF title

In his third defense of the IBF title, Bundrage would lose the title to Ishe Smith via majority decision on February 23, 2013. He was docked a point in the second round for hitting Smith while Smith was on the canvas after a push/slip between the two fighters. The scores read 111-116, 114-114 and 111-116.

IBF Eliminator

Bundrage got back into the winning column, defeating Miami's own Joey Hernandez 23-1 (KO 13), by unanimous decision for the IBF Eliminator #1 position on January 24, 2014 in Indio California at the Fantasy Springs Resort Casino. Scores read 118-110 by all three judges. With the victory Bundrage landed himself another crack at the belt he lost just last year.

Bundrage vs Molina

On October 11, 2014, Cornelius Bundrage would face off against IBF Light Middleweight champion Carlos Molina. Despite tiring early, Bundrage dominated Molina, dropping him twice and hurtIng him repeatedly throughout the match. Bundrage would win the title via unanimous decision.

Professional boxing record

34 Wins (19 knockouts), 6 Losses, 0 Draws,1 No Contest
Res. Record Opponent Type Rd., Time Date Location Notes
Loss 34-6-(1) United States Jermall Charlo KO 3 (12), 2:33 2015-09-12 United States Foxwoods Resort Casino, Mashantucket, Connecticut Lost IBF Light Middleweight title.
Win 34–5-(1) Mexico Carlos Molina UD 12 2014-10-11 Mexico Oasis Hotel Complex, Cancún, Quintana Roo Won IBF Light Middleweight title.
Win 33–5-(1) United States Joey Hernandez UD 12 2014-01-24 United States Fantasy Springs Casino, Indio, California
Loss 32–5-(1) United States Ishe Smith MD 12 2013-02-23 United States Masonic Theater, Detroit, Michigan Lost IBF Light Middleweight title.
Win 32–4-(1) United States Cory Spinks KO 7 (12), 2:32 2012-06-28 United States Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, Indio, California Retained IBF Light Middleweight title.
Win 31–4-(1) United States Sechew Powell UD 12 2011-06-25United States The Family Arena, St. Louis, Missouri Retained IBF Light Middleweight title.
Win 30–4-(1) United States Cory Spinks TKO 5 (12), 1:28 2010-08-07 United States Scottrade Center, St. Louis, Missouri Won IBF Light Middleweight title.
NC 29–4-(1) Israel Yuri Foreman NC 3 (12) 2009-06-27 United States Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey IBF Light Middleweight Title Eliminator.
Win 29–4 Russia Zaurbek Baysangurov TKO 5 (12), 2:35 2008-12-13 Germany SAP-Arena, Mannheim, Baden-Württemberg
Loss 28–4 United States Grady Brewer SD 10 2008-11-13 United States Dunkin' Donuts Center, Providence, Rhode Island IBO Light Middleweight Title Eliminator.
Win 28–3 Uganda Kassim Ouma UD 10 2008-03-28United States Seneca Allegany Casino, Salamanca, New York
Win 27–3 Colombia Nelson Manchego TKO 5 (10), 0:39 2007-10-26United States Eastern Michigan University Convocation Center, Ypsilanti, Michigan
Loss 26–3 Colombia Joel Julio TKO 8 (10), 1:08 2007-07-11United States Kodak Theatre, Los Angeles, California
Win 26–2 United Kingdom Colin McNeil TKO 7 (8), 0:40 2007-03-30United Kingdom Metro Radio Arena, Newcastle, Tyne and Wear
Win 25–2 Jamaica Chris Smith SD 10 2007-01-12United States Emerald Queen Hotel & Casino, Tacoma, Washington
Win 24–2 United States Norberto Bravo TKO 7 (8), 2:22 2006-09-26United States Staples Center, Los Angeles, California
Loss 23–2 United States Steve Forbes UD 5 2006-02-10United States Contender Gymnasium, Pasadena, California The Contender 2 Semi-finals.
Win 23–1 United States Walter Wright UD 5 2006-02-03United States Contender Gymnasium, Pasadena, California The Contender 2 Quarter-finals.
Win 22–1 United States Michael Clark MD 5 2006-01-17United States Contender Gymnasium, Pasadena, California The Contender 2 Preliminary rounds.
Loss 21–1 United States Sechew Powell TKO 1 (10), 0:22 2005-05-06United States Foxwoods Resort Casino, Mashantucket, Connecticut
Win 21–0 United States Jonathan Corn TKO 2 (10), 1:27 2005-02-18United States Michigan State Fairgrounds Coliseum, Detroit, Michigan Won UBA Intercontinental Light Middleweight title.
Win 20–0 United States Damien Guerra TKO 2 (10), 1:34 2004-11-19 United States Michigan State Fairgrounds Coliseum, Detroit, Michigan

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.

References

www.twitter.com/K9boxing

Awards and achievements
Preceded by
Cory Spinks
IBF Junior Middleweight Champion
August 7, 2010 February 23, 2013
Succeeded by
Ishe Smith
Preceded by
Carlos Molina
IBF Junior Middleweight Champion
October 11, 2014 September 12, 2015
Succeeded by
Jermall Charlo
Sporting positions
Preceded by
Verno Phillips
Oldest Junior Middleweight Champion
April 16, 2012 present
Incumbent
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