By Ryan Burton

 

BoxingScene recently spoke to IBF junior middleweight champion Cornelius "K9" Bundrage about a variety of topics.  The Detroit, Michigan based fighter was last in the ring in June when he defeated his mandatory challenger Sechew Powell via unanimous decision.  Bundrage has been trying to land a big sight since capturing the title in August of last year.  In the 11 months since he won that fight he has managed to fight only once and that was last month's fight versus Powell.

 

A frustrated Bundrage told Boxingscene, "Nowadays these promoters are trying to have their guys only fight their own guys.  From Top Rank to whatever other promoter out there.  They are all trying to do it."

 

The December 3rd rematch between WBA junior middleweight champion Miguel Cotto and former welterweight champion Antonio Margarito is the fight that bothers K9 the most.  He doesn't feel that Margarito deserves a shot at the title and feels a unification fight between himself and Cotto is what should be taking place on December 3rd.

 

"Manny Pacquiao first (beats Margarito) and now Cotto is going to fight Margarito?  Who wants to see that fight?  Oh my bad the Mexicans and Puerto Ricans want to see that fight so I get it (answering his own question), but come on man, Margarito got destroyed in his last fight by Manny Pacquiao!  Why does he get that fight and a title shot?  Oh for revenge (for Cotto) (again answering his own question). Oh okay I get it but what about the other champions?  That is why when I went to Cotto's last fight versus Mayorga, Bob Arum (at the post fight press conference) said 'oh this is very exciting, Margarito is here.'  I stood up and said, 'Hey Don (King), what about unifying the belts?  Man, Bob Arum looked at me and got mad.  His face was so red you would have thought he was Santa Claus," a laughing Bundrage told Boxingscene.

 

After lifting the belt from Cory Spinks last August, Bundrage went 11 months without a fight.  The former Contender series contestant said that he won't allow himself to be shelved like that again.  "People want to act like K9 ain't around.  I am here to stay.  I ain't going no where.  They don't want to talk about the Contender no more.  I got as many fans as any fighter today!  I am going to fight again this year.  Whether it is with (Saul) Alvarez, or (Sergio) Martinez, or whoever,  I am going to fight another fight this year.  I am not going to let them stop me because I want to stay sharp."

 

Bundrage thought that it should be easier for him to get fights due to the fact that at 38 years old, he is a lot older than most of the other top fighters in his division.  Bundrage said," Even at 38 years old these guys are still scared to bark with the Dog.  Ain't that something?  What, do I got to be 50 before these guys will fight me (laughing).  By me not knocking out (Sechew) Powell I thought maybe that was a good thing and they won't be scared but ain't nothing changed.  They still scared!"

 

K9 finished up our conversation by saying that he wanted to thank all the fans and left them with this message, "Don't bark if you can't bite.  Keep Jesus first.  One love!"

 

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