ST. LOUIS—Adding intrigue to Cory Spinks’ defense of his International Boxing Federation junior middleweight crown in St. Louis on June 12 against IBF mandatory challenger Cornelius Bundrage is the fact that Bundrage will be trained for the first time by International Boxing Hall of Fame member Emanuel Steward while Spinks’ new trainer is former two-time world champion James “Buddy” McGirt.
Maybe the most interesting fact of all is that the globe-trotting Steward—who may be best known now for his longtime role as a boxing analyst for HBO Sports—will be making his first visit to the Gateway City.
“Believe it or not, I’ve never stepped foot in the city other than making a connection at the airport,” Steward said. “The closest I’ve ever been to St. Louis is drinking a Bud Light, my favorite beer. I’m looking forward to seeing the Gateway Arch, which is something I have always wanted to see.”
Steward says the IBF No. 1-ranked Bundrage (29-4, 17 KOs), from Detroit, is younger than his 37 years would indicate due to his lack of an amateur boxing background.
“The bottom line is Cornelius learned how to fight as a professional,” Steward said. “I don’t think he ever participated in an amateur tournament. Like Larry Holmes and Bernard Hopkins before him, Cornelius has learned his craft while working professionally. This helps to explain some of his earlier losses against top-flight opposition, but what I’ve seen in the last two years tells me he’s putting it all together now.”
Steward points out that when K2 Promotions (who also promotes Steward-trained heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko) was looking for an opponent in 2008 to face then-undefeated (19-0, 16 KOs) 154-pounder Zaurbek Baysangurov, they picked Bundrage. After traveling to Germany on short notice, Bundrage shocked the Russian by stopping him in the fifth round.
“Cornelius has long arms, fights tall and can control a fight with his left hand,” Steward noted. “Not only does he have skills, but he will come into the gym and box for 15 to 20 rounds, so he’s in good shape too.
“If he can put pressure on Cory by focusing his energy and placing his punches—but not reckless pressure like just running in—he can win this fight. Speed slows with age and Cory was never a big puncher, so the opportunity is there for Cornelius, who I view as fresher in the ring at 37 than Cory is at 32.”
Bundrage has always fought under Steward’s famous Detroit boxing brand of the Kronk Gym but was trained by Steward’s nephew, Javan Hill. Steward has acted as Bundrage’s manager but will join Hill in the corner for the Spinks fight.
Steward has taken Bundrage with him to Tampa, Fla., where he is training alongside Steward’s latest client, Miguel Cotto, who will face another 154-pound world champion, Yuri Foreman, on June 5 at Yankee Stadium. Steward would like nothing more than to pick up two world titles in one week.
Steward knows and admires Spinks and thinks he has made a good move by hiring McGirt as trainer.
“Buddy is a beautiful guy,” Steward noted with enthusiasm. “You know who he reminds me of? He’s just like Muhammad Ali’s trainer, Angelo Dundee. Angelo and Buddy are two of the nicest people I have ever met.
“I told Angelo the other day that I was facing Buddy, and I told him Buddy’s got his personality. Both guys never have a bad word to say about anyone and are very talented.”
When told of Steward’s kind words, McGirt said it didn’t surprise him.
“There is a reason why Emanuel has been so successful, which goes beyond his undeniable talent as a trainer and manager,” McGirt said. “Manny looks for the good in people, not the bad.
“Having said that, don’t think for a moment this means he’s not trying to out-train me or that he doesn’t want Cornelius Bundrage to upset Cory Spinks in his hometown on June 12. You don’t get where Manny’s gotten in the sport of boxing by forgetting what your job is. The difference with Manny is he can do that and still have class. This is going to be an interesting chess match between Manny and me.”
Both Steward and McGirt enjoyed success as boxers. In 1963, Steward won the National Golden Gloves Tournament of Champions in Chicago. While younger, McGirt became IBF junior welterweight champion in 1998 and World Boxing Council welterweight champion from 1991 to 1993. McGirt then followed in Steward’s training footsteps, too, having trained notable world champions like Arturo Gatti, Antonio Tarver, Vernon Forrest, Tomasz Adamek, Lamon Brewster, Paulie Malignaggi and, now, Spinks.
“Manny’s from the Old School,” McGirt added. I’ve learned a lot from him and all the Old School trainers. They should be a guide for all the young guys that are into boxing.”
With Spinks, McGirt believes he’s got an edge in this fight.
“I keep saying that all I have to do with Cory is remind him of how great he is,” McGirt said. “This guy has all the ability in the world, much of which comes from his family tree that includes his father, Leon (whom Steward managed at one time), and uncle, Michael, both former heavyweight world champions. At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter who is training who. It’s who has the better fighter and who wants it the most inside the ring. So far, I’ve won the first two.”
Tickets priced at $28, $50, $87, and $200 are on sale now at MetroTix.com, the Chaifetz Arena Box Office, MetroTix outlets at select Schnucks and Macy’s stores, or charge by phone at (314) 534-1111. The event is being promoted by Don King Productions and will be the first world championship boxing match at Chaifetz Arena. Doors will open at 6 p.m., and a full undercard will be presented.
NEW YORK - When Allan Green (29-1, 20 KOs), faces Andre Ward (20-0, 13 KOs) on Saturday, June 19th for the World Boxing Association (WBA) title during Group Stage 2 of the Super Six World Boxing Classic on SHOWTIME® he certainly won't lack in confidence. Green, 30, from Tulsa, Okla., has on six consecutive fights thanks to power in both fists, and says he wantsto send a message to everyone in the tournament, starting with Ward.
"I respect Andre as a fighter," Green said. "He's very clever with good boxing skills and I've complimented his victory over Mikkel Kessler, but it's not in his DNA to go deep in the waters and do battle like a real warrior. I've studied Andre's fights long before I knew I was going to fight him in the tournament because he's in my weight division. If you really watch his fights, he never goes blow-to-blow with another fighter. He will fight for 15-20 seconds with the jab, then he will grab, hold and push away. That's the way he fights, and you can forget about him trying to do any inside fighting. He has a weak chin; I know it, he knows it, and everybody else knows it."
Green, known as "Sweetness", is glad for the opportunity to participate in the SHOWTIME Sports® Super Six World Boxing Classic because it's important for his career. He also feels that while fighting Ward in his hometown, Oakland, Calif., for the World Boxing Association (WBA) title is a challenge, it is a challenge worth facing.
"I don't have a problem fighting Andre in his hometown which will be a challenge for me, but I want the WBA belt," said Green. "Andre will need the Oakland Fire Department in his corner the night of the fight because I'm bringing a lot of fire, smoke and heat with me in the ring on June 19th, and I don't think he will be able to put the fire out."
The Super Six World Boxing Classic group stage 2 matchup featuring Andre Ward vs. Allan Green is being co-promoted by Goossen Tutor Promotions and DiBella Entertainment and will air live on SHOWTIME® Saturday, June 19 at 10:00 pm ET/PT (delayed on the west coast) from the Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif. Tickets for the June 19 Super Six World Boxing Classic are priced at $300, $150, $65 and $35 and are available at the Oracle Arena Box Office by calling (510) 569-2121 or online through Ticketmaster www.Ticketmaster.com .
Veteran trainer John David Jackson, who's training Green in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, likes the way his fighter is approaching his first world title fight.
"I'm very please with the way Allan is approaching this fight. It's his first opportunity for a world title and that's been his dream since he started boxing," said Jackson. "He's more dedicated, focused and training with a lot more intensity. We know exactly what to expect from Andre Ward and we will be prepared to make any adjustments during the fight. I have a very hungry fighter. Give me a hungry fighter who is dedicated, prepared and motivated and I will show you a winner."
The SHOWTIME Sports® Super Six World Boxing Classic tournament features the best super middleweights in the division and Allan Green wants to send a message to everyone in the tournament.
"You have six very talented and skilled fighters who want to compete against each other," Green said. "I like the competition but, pound-for-pound, I just don't see anyone who can beat me. Nobody."
Promoter Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment, is also very confident of how well Allan Green will perform in his first title fight against Ward.
“Allan Green has the hammer of Thor tattooed on him," DiBella said. "While Andre Ward is a great young champ, the hammer of Thor is a great equalizer. Allan’s punching power makes him the scariest man in the Super Six, and Andre Ward will find that out on June 19.”
Green is coming off a 10-round unanimous decision victory over previously undefeated Tarvis Simms on Oct. 2, 2009 and is currently ranked No. 3 in the World Boxing Organization (WBO), No.4 in the World Boxing Council (WBC), No. 5 in the International Boxing Federation (IBF) and No. 7 in the World Boxing Association (WBA).
HOUSTON, TX - Former Notre Dame Boxing Captain and 2009 Chicago Golden Gloves Champion Mike Lee has wrapped up training in Houston, Texas and is headed to his highly anticipated pro debut this Saturday night, May 29th, at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago.
Lee’s four round light heavyweight bout against Emmitt Woods is one of the feature bouts at the Chicago debut of TOP RANK LIVE, presented by Top Rank Incorporated and Chicago’s 8 Count Productions.
The 22 year old Lee has been training with noted trainer Ronnie Shields since January in Houston.
"I am very excited to step into the ring for the first time as a professional fighter. It's something I have been training extremely hard for and view it as my first important step in my goal of becoming a world champion” said Lee, a graduate of Benet Academy in Lisle, Illinois.
"I am thrilled to make my professional debut in my home town of Chicago. As a fighter you perform your best in a comfortable environment and having my family, friends and fans there to support me means a lot to me."
Trainer Shields has guided numerous world champions over the last twenty years including Evander Holyfield, Pernell Whitaker, Meldrick Taylor and Vernon Forrest.
Continued Lee, "Working with Ronnie Shields has been a life changing experience. His knowledge is deep and his love of the sport of boxing is admirable. I have learned things from him both in the ring and out of the ring that I will carry with me forever. He has made me a better fighter and I look forward to a long professional relationship with him."
Lee signed with Top Rank Incorporated earlier this year and looks forward to pursuing his dream of becoming a world champion.
"I would like to thank Bob Arum and Top Rank for giving me this opportunity. As a fighter you want to surround yourself with the best and there is no doubt in my mind that I have done that."
The main event at TOP RANK LIVE will feature an outstanding ten round welterweight showdown between Mexican veterans Jesus “Renuente” Soto-Karass and Gabriel “EL Rey” Martinez.
The undercard will feature Chicago’s Omar Henry, Ivan Popoca, Antonio Avila and Polish heavyweight prospect Krzystof Zimnoch.
Advance tickets for TOP RANK LIVE, presented by Top Rank Incorporated and Chicago’s 8 Count Productions, priced at $101, $51 and $31 are now on sale through Ticketmaster ( www.ticketmaster.com ), the UIC Pavilion Box Office (312-413-5740) and the 8 Count Productions’ Office (312-226-5800).
Doors on the evening of the event will open at 7pm with the first bell at 7:30pm. The UIC Pavilion is located at 525 S. Racine, just one block south of the Eisenhower Expressway. For further information, please visit their website at www.uicpavilion.com . The UIC Pavilion is now serving alcohol at all boxing events.
