ST. LOUIS—Don King was in St. Louis today to formally announce his championship boxing twin bill at Scottrade Center on March 27 featuring hometown stars Cory Spinks and Devon Alexander. Spinks will defend his International Boxing Federation junior middleweight championship against former three-time world champion Verno Phillips while Alexander, the World Boxing Council Continental Americas champion, will take on World Boxing Association FEDELATIN champion Miguel Callist.
All boxers were on hand today to discuss the event. Civility ruled the day until Spinks, who had just praised his opponent, asked for “a moment of silence for Verno Phillips’s career because I’m going to put it to rest in St. Louis on March 27.”
An incensed Phillips grabbed a microphone and challenged Spinks. “Nobody’s taken my heart away in my career and Cory Spinks isn’t going to do that. You don’t punch. Don’t run and hide. Come to fight.”
The 21-year-old emerging 140-pounder Alexander spoke confidently. “I’m on the rise. I’m a man on a mission to become undisputed champion of the world.”
Miguel Callist is happy to have an opportunity to display his skills. “I know this is going to be a tough fight but I’m one of the best kept secrets in boxing. I’m glad that Devon Alexander has accepted this challenge. So many people don’t want to fight and I’m glad Devon does.”
Full Quotes
Cory Spinks: “I know Verno is a veteran that knows his way around the ring. But I want a moment of silence for Verno Phillips’s career because I’m going to put it to rest in St. Louis on March 27.”
Verno Phillips: “I’m glad to have the opportunity to fight for the IBF 154-pound championship. I will be a red lion on March 27 and very raw.”
Directly to Cory Spinks: “Nobody’s taken my heart away in my career and Cory Spinks isn’t going to do that. You don’t punch. Don’t run and hide. Come to fight.”
Devon Alexander: “I’m on the rise. I’m a man on a mission to become undisputed champion of the world. I train every day for that. I want to unify at 140 pounds before moving up to 147.
“Thanks to my trainer Kevin Cunnigham, the best trainer in the world, Don King and everyone at Scottrade Center.”
Miguel Callist: “I know this is going to be a tough fight but I’m one of the best kept secrets in boxing. I’m glad that Devon Alexander has accepted this challenge. So many people don’t want to fight and I’m glad Devon does.
“I grew up watching Roberto Duran in Panama and now I’m here in St. Louis to make my mark on March 27. I will do my best and I will win.”
Kevin Cunningham (trainer and manager of both Cory Spinks and Devon Alexander): “We’ve got Cory Spinks. He’s the present. We’ve got Devon Alexander. He’s the future. Both are in tough fights.
“Miguel Callist is no joke. He’s a continental champion. Devon’s going to have to be ready. Somebody is going to leave that fight with two championship belts.
“Verno Phillips is a very respected three-time world champion. He’s for real. Cory’s going to have his work cut out for him.
“It’s going to be a great night of boxing on March 27 with two guys from St. Louis risking their titles.”