By Nick Bellafatto
A strange ride indeed for 39 year old IBF junior middleweight champion Cornelius “K9” Bundrage (32-4, 19 KO’s) of Detroit, Michigan, who, fighting so infrequently under the former hand of Don King it tends to make somewhat of a mockery of the particular sanctioning organization in question. I mean shouldn’t the IBF call upon able body champions to defend more often?
And for Bundrage himself fighting all of 5 times in a little over 4 years, that isn’t going to pay many bills, unless however you bring in the revenue of a similarly inactive Floyd Mayweather Jr. Far from it of course, this despite the fact that “K9” reportedly made six figures in his latest outing headlining a Golden Boy promoted ticket.
But inspired in so many ways, most notably by the Christian religion of which he chooses to follow, Cornelius Bundrage is not at all disappointed. He simply feels in the end there’s a plan for him and that his hard work and dedication to a sport which has provided him a way off the streets will soon pay dividends, even at his advanced age.
With that said, now under contract with Golden Boy Promotions one would think things would take a turn for the best. That’s why it’s just as strange if not more so that after a number of legitimate and deserving opponents would apparently exercise other options, Oscar De La Hoya and Company could only manage to come up with Ishe Smith. Not that Smith isn’t a worthy adversary, he’s just not in line for a title shot ranked 14th by the IBF and no one else.
After reaching a crescendo in 2004 by capturing a major world title at the expense of one Randall Bailey, Smith would soon thereafter vacate that belt, rather opting to become part of the initial Contender Reality Series, season 2 of which Bundrage would similarly participate in, only to see Ishe come up short since in the most meaningful of bouts.
And considering that “Sugar Shay’s” three most recent opponents would combine to go 3-14 with 1 no-contest in their last six fights, opponents nowhere to be found in anyone’s rankings, this begs the question of how Smith has merited the opportunity that presents itself. Only in boxing of course.
Be that as it may, Ishe “Sugar Shay” Smith (24-5, 11 KO’s) of Las Vegas, Nevada under the guidance of former world champion Eddie Mustafa Muhammad will take on homegrown “K9” Bundrage. This bout is set to take place inside of Detroit, Michigan’s Masonic Temple Theater, bumped up to the main event as a result of the Kell Brook-Devon Alexander feature attraction nixed due to injury.
All told both “K9” and Ishe recognize that a victory would secure a decent pay day or two down the road so that motivation should run high amongst them. Both have families to feed and the future is now for these veteran fighters so that I expect a competitive scrap for as long as it lasts.
Smith of course is quite confident as well a veteran of nearly 13 years should be. “What’s going to win me the fight is just that I’m a better fighter than he is. That’s just the bottom line. All that barking and shit like that don’t scare nobody. You got to show up and fight” said “Sugar Shay.”
In that Bundrage has managed to garner as well as hang on to his 154 pound title, he’s only been afforded such opportunities against a now visibly faded Corey Spinks, as well as a middle of the road Sechew Powell. So in essence, based on past opposition to include similar results against common opponents Joel Julio, Norberto Bravo, and the aforementioned Powell, plausibly either contestant could prevail this Saturday night.
But familiar with the Kronk fighter, I’m going to throw my hat in his direction feeling that “K9” is strong, durable, and possesses a right hand that can do enough damage to allow him to emerge triumphant. For irregardless that he hasn’t fought all that much over the past few years, the defending champion is fanatic when it comes to training, prepared at a moments notice to effect his craft.
And if he gets by Smith in his Golden Boy debut on Showtime Championship Boxing this weekend, Cornelius “K9” Bundrage will no doubt take aim at the division’s top tier, especially as concerns one Saul “Canelo” Alvarez who will have his own hands full with Austin Trout come May 4th.
No less than in beast mode for his upcoming fight, Detroit’s first world champion since Tommy Hearns would bellow, “King Kong ain’t got nothing on me so let the beating begin. I’m unleashed.”
