In this week’s 3 Punch Combo, we take a look at the future of Cornelius Bundrage, who has finally taken care of his rematch with Cory Spinks, and also look ahead at this weekend’s match between Kelly Pavlik and Will Rosinsky, as well as a potential upset on this week’s Friday Night Fights to keep your eyes on, in a battle of heavyweight prospects looking to get ahead.
Cornelius Bundrage’s Future
Former Contender participant Cornelius “K9” Bundrage stopped Corey Spinks in the 7th round of their rematch on Saturday night. Bundrage was really in control from the opening bell and scored a knockdown in the first round off a clean right hand.
I believe that at age 39 Bundrage has earned the right to fight Saul “Canelo” Alvarez in September. Bundrage has paid his dues in the sport, however he has never really landed that marquee fight. A fight against Canelo would give Bundrage, who turned pro in 1995, one decent payday before his career comes to an end.
Though most experts may disagree with me, I feel Bundrage would give Canelo a decent test at this stage of Canelo’s career. Bundrage is a full fledged junior middleweight having fought most his career in the 154 pound division. He has an awkward style and has real fire power behind the right hand. I still feel Canelo stops Bundrage early, however I do think for as long the fight goes it will be entertaining and Bundrage will land some right hands which will create some interesting moments.
And at the very least, for having been a pro for 17 years and having gone through many ups and downs in the sport Bundrage deserves this one opportunity on boxing’s big stage.
Pavlik vs. Rosinsky
Kelly Pavlik faces Will Rosinsky on Saturday night in a key super middleweight bout. Prior to his last fight against Scott Sigmon I wrote that Pavlik needed to not only win but look impressive. In this fight Pavlik simply must win to advance in plans for a rumored big fight this fall (Carl Froch?)
Rosinsky is a dangerous and formidable opponent. In October 2011, Rosinsky gave fast rising super middleweight Edwin Rodriguez the toughest fight of his career. Though the judges scored the fight a shutout for Rodriguez, most observers had the fight closer. As a matter of fact I had the fight a 95-95 draw.
Rosinsky is a skilled boxer with a strong amateur background and the naturally bigger man having fought most his career in the light heavyweight division. Pavlik has just recently moved to the super middleweight division following his 2009 loss to Sergio Martinez. All that being said, Pavlik still has the superior punching power and faster hands. I believe Pavlik will grind out either a late stoppage in this fight or earn a unanimous decision.
Look for an upset on Friday Night Fights
This weeks Friday Night Fights on ESPN2 features an interesting heavyweight co-feature fight between Magomed Abdusalamov and Maurice Byarm. Abdusalamov is 14-0 with 14 knockouts and considered a rising prospect. However, a closer examination of his record shows many early stoppages against very questionable opposition.
Byarm enters the ring with a record of 13-1 with 9 knockouts but is seen as the opponent in this fight. In his last fight he gave the now highly regarded prospect Bryant Jennings a tough fight en route to losing a ten round decision. Byarm showed in that fight that he has boxing skills and can take a decent punch.
In this fight, I see Byarm surviving Abdusalamov’s early onslaught utilizing his slick boxing skills. Abdusalamov will then be forced to make adjustments against a skilled boxer in the middle rounds and I do not see him able to make the necessary adjustments to compete with Byarm. I believe Byarm with skillfully use his right jab to control distance in the middle rounds while occasionally handing the left hook behind the jab.
Also, Abdusalamov has never been past four rounds and I see conditioning a major factor in the middle rounds. In the end Byarm, will stop his tiring foe around the 6th or 7th round and earn the biggest win of his career.
