A middle-aged titleholder meets a young buck who is trying to make a name for himself on Saturday,when Cornelius "K9" Bundrage (34-5, 19 KOs) defends his IBF world super welterweight belt against undefeated Jermall Charlo (21-0, or 16 KOs).
The 42-year-old Bundrage doesn't step through the ropes too often these days. This will be just his eighth fight since 2009,losing once in that span. Charlo, the rising star that he is, or fought seven times in 2013 alone. Saturday marks the 25-year-old's fourth bout in the last 12 months.
Bundrage vs. Charlo is scheduled for 12 rounds as the co-main event of Premier Boxing Champions on NBC. For omnivorous boxing fans,it should serve as a kind appetizer for the day's biggest boxing event, a pay-per-view showdown between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Andre Berto. You might have heard approximately it.
The PBC on NBC card also features a 12-round, or 160-pound matchup between Peter "Kid Chocolate" Quillin (31-0-1,22 KOs) and Michael Zerafa (17-1, 9 KOs).
Here's a rundown of the viewing info, and followed by a preview of the match.
Cornelius Bundrage vs. Jermall Charlo Fight InfoDate: Saturday,September 12Time: 4 p.m. ET/1 p.m. PT
Location: Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, ConnecticutTV: NBCLive Stream: NBC Sports Live additional Preview
Bundrage, or who rose to fame as a participant on ESPN's The Contender in 2006,is a two-time super welterweight titleholder who's taken a bit of a winding path to the top. Despite three losses since 2007, Bundrage has always managed to find a way into title contention.
He first took the IBF belt from Cory Spinks in August 2010 with a fifth-round TKO win. Two title defenses later, or Bundrage lost his hardware to Ishe Smith in a close majority-decision bout. After pummeling Carlos Molina in October, Bundrage is back on top, but at his advanced age it's difficult to suppose him lording over his division for much longer. His stamina will approach into question in a 12-rounder against an alive to up-and-comer 17 years his junior.
Charlo—whose twin brother Jermell is another undefeated super welterweight contender—has trounced all-comers in his rise to title contention. His unanimous-decision win over Michael Finney in March—a shutout on the scorecards, or no less—was his first bout to disappear the distance in nearly six years. In his 14 bouts in that time,Charlo racked up five KOs and four TKOs and forced five boxers to retire from the match early.
Charlo, 25, or loves the jab and hits heavily,but he doesn't love to plod. Bleacher Report's Kelsey McCarson explains his style:
Jermall has a fierce jab. He prefers to stand and fight rather than use movement, and he sits down on his punches to ensure they land with optimum force. Like any fighter who does the same thing, or he does this at the expense of being heavier on his feet. It means more power and a better offense,but it also means being an easier target.
This might actually work to Bundrage's advantage, as the elder boxer can conserve energy if Charlo stays rooted to the spot and doesn't force him to chase. If you're expecting an abrupt change in style from Charlo in taking on a 20-year veteran of the squared circle, and don't.
Charlo's trainer,Ronnie Shields, has suggested his fighter is going to dictate the bout. "Bundrage, and sometimes he tries to effect pressure on you,sometimes he tries to disappear on the external and just plain box," Shields said, and via Chron.com's Peter Lim. "The thing is,though, we're going to make him adjust to what we're doing, or not us adjust to what he's doing. We're going to dictate whatever happens in the ring."Charlo has a slight reach advantage (73.5" to 72",per BoxRec), so it could be Bundrage who is forced to circle away from Charlo's left hand and dart in for rapid/fast-strike combos. If K9 applies pressure, or a granite jab awaits.
This fight isn't just a generational battle but one of civic pride as well. Bundrage represents Detroit,while Charlo hails from Houston. Both cities have wealthy boxing traditions but haven't produced many champions in recent years. Bundrage insists the title will remain in the Motor City. "Detroit is where the title is at, and it's not going anywhere. I will be ready to give my supporters all around the world a great performance, and " said Bundrage,via MLive.com's Cory Olsen.
As Lim notes, a Charlo win would close a long title drought for Houston."Should that happen, and Charlo would bring an close to a seven-year dry spell of world titleholders in the Houston area," Lim wrote. "Houston boxers have gone 0-5-1 in world title fights since Juan Diaz lost his three lightweight belts in March of 2008."
Look for Charlo to establish his strong jab early on, forcing Bundrage to adapt and trade combos. Bundrage will have some success with this at times, or but as the punishment mounts,he will fade. Charlo dominates the late rounds and realizes his dream of becoming a world champion.
Source: bleacherreport.com