Boxing

Q&A with IBF Welterweight Champion Cory Spinks


photo © www.8countproductions.com

By Micah Yonkoski

03.08 - Born under pressure: Being born into a family with a legendary history in sports certainly has its perks, but along with that comes a pressure to perform and a difficulty to establish individual identity. Couple that with the immediate criticism when even the slightest chink appears in the armor of the offspring and all too often it proves to be a bit much for a young athlete. However, that isn't the case with IBF Welterweight champion Cory Spinks who's famous Father (Leon) and Uncle (Mike) have cemented the Spinks name into the annals of boxing history as Cory believes pressure turns coal into diamonds and he certainly has the skills necessary to carry the name proudly. I had the pleasure to speak with Cory and sort of some of the rumors that have been reported about this extremely confident champion and the path in which his career is headed. I'd like to thank Bobby Goodman and Ricky Salazar for their help in making this interview possible.

Seeing as to how your title winning rematch with Michele Piccirillo wasn't televised in the US, all but a few were unable to see the fight, can you give the readers a brief summary of how that fight went?

SPINKS: I simply dominated the fight and knew I had him (Piccirillo) after the first round. I just went into his backyard and didn't let what got to me in the first fight get to me the second time. I just went in there and handled my business.

How hesitant were you to return to Campione D'Italia, Italy to face Piccirillo again especially after the very controversial decision that was awarded him in your first fight?

SPINKS: Well, it was tough, real tough to just go back over there after what happened the first time, but we didn't have a choice if we wanted this world title. I just trained harder and went back over there and it all went perfect in the time leading up till the fight and it worked out good, real good.

Several opponents have been rumored in your future, but nothing is set in stone. What is the real deal and in the near future for Cory Spinks?

SPINKS: Honestly I don't know yet. I really don't know.

One rumor is that you are heading for a unification showdown with fellow champion Ricardo Mayorga, what was your opinion the Mayorga-Vernon Forrest rematch last month?

SPINKS: Ahh man, I just feel that Vernon got his manhood taken in the first fight with Mayorga and it showed in the second fight. I mean Mayorga is nothing to me.

So, you weren't impressed with either in that fight?

SPINKS: Not really. It was typical Mayorga, it was a wild, ugly fight and I wasn't impressed.

You feel you'd have the skills to beat Mayorga? How would that unfold?

SPINKS: It'd end with me on top! No doubt about that!

Your not enamored with Mayorga to say the least, but howabout Antonio Margarito? Does that fight interest you and any chance of that happening in the near future?

SPINKS: You know it doesn't really matter to me who I fight. I think Margarito would beat Mayorga, but it doesn't mater to me, as I'd gobble up any one of them.

Confidence isn't a real problem for you is it?

SPINKS: Hell no! (Laughs)

Considering the fact that your father is former heavyweight champion Leon Spinks and your uncle is Hall of Famer Michael Spinks, the name appeal is there for you, but do you think that along with that there is any added pressure on you o perform or be taken as serious as you should?

SPINKS: Of course it makes things a bit more difficult because when a fighter faces me he knows that Leon and Michael are my father and uncle and it makes my opponents fight a little harder and I have to maintain the reputation of the Spinks legacy. It's pressure forsure, but I'm not just a Spinks by name, I have the talent to go along with that name.

You've had a rocky relationship at times with promoter Don King at times with that was he was handling your career, is that water under the bridge at this point and are things better now?

SPINKS: There really wasn't ever any real problem, just differences. It's all-good now.

Jr. Welterweight king Kostya Tszyu was speculated to have a real interest in moving up and facing you, but that never materialized. What happened with that and is that a fight that you'd certainly entertain?

SPINKS: If Kostya Tszyu wants to fight then we can do that. As I said before, it really doesn't matter to me who it is. Margarito, Mayorga, Tszyu it don't make no difference to me. Kostya has decided to go ahead and fight Sharmba Mitchell again instead.

Your record now stands at 31-2, which is very respectable, but in the eyes of many including yourself it should read 33-0. Do you feel as though those controversial losses to Piccirillo and Antonio Diaz in '98 serve as great learning experiences for you?

SPINKS: I think everything happens for a reason. My first loss got me out there and I jumped to twelve rounds real quick. I went from six straight to twelve rounds and the second loss was just highway robbery. It's all worked out for the best and I mean no one wants to lose and while I'd love to have those losses off my record I really don't feel as though I lost either fight.

You've already avenged that loss to Piccirillo and I wondered if you had any interest in avenging the loss to Antonio Diaz somewhere down the line?

SPINKS: Micah, I ain't even worried about Diaz as it's on to bigger and better for me.

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