Cory Spinks
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Cory Spinks | |
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| Statistics | |
|---|---|
| Real name | Cory Spinks |
| Nickname(s) | The Next Generation |
| Rated at | Super welterweight |
| Height | 5 ft 9.5 in (1.77 m) |
| Reach | 71 in (180 cm) |
| Nationality |  American |
| Birth date | 20 February 1978 |
| Birth place | St. Louis, Missouri, USA |
| Stance | Southpaw |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 41 |
| Wins | 36 |
| Wins by KO | 11 |
| Losses | 5 |
| Draws | 0 |
| No contests | 0 |
Cory Spinks (born February 20, 1978 in St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.) is a professional boxer and the current International Boxing Federation (IBF) Super-Welterweight Champion of the World. He's the son of former heavyweight champion of the world Leon Spinks. Cory was born five days after his dad defeated Muhammad Ali for the heavyweight world title in 1978. Cory is the nephew of former light heavyweight and heavyweight world champion Michael Spinks. He is one of three boxing brothers: older brother Leon Calvin was a top St. Louis amateur and 2-0 as a pro when he was murdered in 1990, older brother Darrell Spinks is a retired pro. He's a southpaw with good skills, handspeed, and mobility. He's known for keeping a busy pace, keeping his opponents off-balance, and outworking them. Spinks also has a strong amateur background. He won in first major title in March of 2003, when he defeated Michele Piccirillo by unanimous decision.
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[edit] Early Years & Amateur Career
Cory started boxing at the age of 7 for the North Side Bombers boxing team in St.Louis, MO. Charles Hamm (the owner and coach for the team) introduced him and his two older brothers to the sport. Hamm trained Cory well into his professional career. His current trainer and former St. Louis policeman Kevin Cunningham, opened a boxing gym in the basement of an old police building, where Hamm took them to train until his retirement. Cunningham was also a former boxer in the Army.
Spinks was the 1997 National Golden Gloves champion at 147 pounds, and the 1997 National PAL champion at 147 pounds. In the National PAL finals, Cory won a 4-1 decision against Dante Craig, who went on to make the 2000 US Olympic team.
Cory reportedly had 81 amateur bouts (78-3). he also won the National PAL Jr. championships in 1993.
[edit] Undisputed Welterweight Champion
Spinks rose to boxing stardom by unifying the WBC, WBA, IBF, and Ring Magazine welterweight titles on December 13, 2003, when he defeated Ricardo Mayorga by majority decision. Spinks was a 5 to 1 underdog going into the fight with Mayorga. The judges scored the fight 114-112, 117-110, 114-114, favoring Spinks.
[edit] Spinks vs. Judah I & II
- In his first title defense on April 10, 2004, Spinks controlled the action against former world champion Zab Judah over the first four rounds. In the later rounds, however, Judah's quick left hands began to find their target. Both men hit the deck late, but all three scorecards favored Spinks as the champion won 116-111 and 114-112 (twice).
- He later lost his titles when he was TKO'd in the 9th round by Judah in their February 2005 rematch in front of a record crowd of over 22,000+ at the Savvis Center in St. Louis, Missouri. Spinks got the star treatment during introductions, with rapper Nelly accompanying him into the ring and leading the crowd in a singalong.
- The second fight was the first major bout in St. Louis in more than 40 years, and it was a sellout, helped by Spinks' large following. Midway through round 9, Judah landed a huge left that hurt Spinks, with a follow-up putting him on the canvas. Spinks rose, but Judah rushed in for the kill. A series of hard punches left Spinks defenseless on the ropes, and Judah tried to get the official to step in, but the bout continued until another right left sent Spinks sprawling into the ropes, where the official finally halted the bout with 11 seconds left.
[edit] Latest Comeback
Spinks moved up to Super-Welterweight (at 154 pounds) to fight Roman Karmazin on July 8, 2006 at the Savvis Center. Despite having some rough moments in the bout, Spinks beat Karmazin by majority decision with final scorecards of 114-114, 115-113, and 115-113. Spinks moved up one more weight class to Middleweight and challenged World Middleweight Champion Jermain Taylor, losing in a somewhat controversial split decision.
On March 3, 2008, in a fight with Verno Phillips, Spinks seemingly controlled the fight from the outside but lost his title by a highly contested and controversial split decision.
[edit] See also
- List of male boxers
- List of WBC world champions
- Notable boxing families
- List of current world boxing champions
[edit] External links
| Preceded by Michele Piccirillo |
IBF Welterweight Champion March 2, 2003 – February 5, 2005 |
Succeeded by Zab Judah |
| Preceded by Ricardo Mayorga |
WBC Welterweight Champion December 13, 2003 – February 5, 2005 |
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| WBA Welterweight Super Champion December 13, 2003 – February 5, 2005 |
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| Preceded by Lloyd Honeyghan Vacated |
Undisputed Welterweight Champion December 13, 2003 – February 5, 2005 |
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| Preceded by Roman Karmazin |
IBF Junior Middleweight Champion July 8, 2006 – March 27, 2008 |
Succeeded by Verno Phillips |
