19.07.04 – Cory Spinks is the only prizefighter in boxing history whose father and uncle both won world heavyweight champions. “I always have had the name,” Spinks said. “Everyone has heard of Leon and Michael Spinks. I am proud of them, but I always wanted to make a name for myself, too.’’
The younger Spinks, who has done just that in recent months, will make the second defense of his International Boxing Federation/World Boxing Association/World Boxing Council (IBF/WBA/WBC) welterweight titles when he faces former WBC champion and current No. 1 contender, Miguel Angel Gonzalez, in the main event Saturday, Sept. 4, 2004, on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/PT*).
In the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING co-feature, “Relentless’’ Lamon Brewster will make the initial defense of his World Boxing Organization (WBO) heavyweight crown when he takes on Pan Pacific heavyweight titleholder Kali “Checkmate” Sheehan. Don King Productions will promote the world championship doubleheader from Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.
Tickets for this exciting evening of boxing are priced at $500, $300, $200, $100 and $40 and are on sale now at the Mandalay Bay Box Office and all TicketMaster outlets. To order tickets by phone, call (702) 632-7580.
“People are starting to pay more attention to me,” Spinks said, “and I think more people are starting to give me more respect, but I know I still have a long way to go.’’
Spinks (32-2, 11 KOs) of St. Louis, knocked off former junior welterweight kingpin Zab Judah in Las Vegas on April 10, 2004. The judges unanimously awarded Spinks the victory, 116-111 and 114-112 (twice). Spinks shocked the boxing world by upsetting then-World Boxing Association (WBA) and WBC champion Ricardo “El Matador” Mayorga via split decision in Atlantic City, N.J., on Dec. 13, 2003. Two points were deducted from Mayorga, which made the difference in the scoring. Two judges saw it 114-112 and 117-110 for Spinks, while the other had it 114 apiece. Spinks won the International Boxing Federation (IBF) welterweight title in his second attempt against Michele Piccirillo by registering a 12-round unanimous decision on March 22, 2003, in Campione D’Italia, Italy.
Gonzalez (50-3-1, 40 KOs) became the WBC lightweight champion when he defeated Wilfrido Rocha Aug. 24, 1992, in Mexico City, Mexico. Gonzalez defended his title successfully 10 times before stepping up in weight class. On Jan. 18, 1997, Gonzalez did what no one had been able to do to that point when he exposed De La Hoya. Although Gonzalez lost a unanimous 12-round decision, De La Hoya came away with a mouse under his left eye and looked like the beaten fighter. In a war of Mexican heroes March 7, 1998, in Mexico City, Mexico, Gonzalez took on Julio Cesar Chavez. When the scorecards were tallied, one judge had it 116-114 for Gonzalez, another saw it 115-114 for Chavez and the final judge scored it even at 115-115, resulting in a draw. Gonzalez has won his last five fights, including a 10-round TKO over Ernesto Carmona May 22, 2004 in Mexico City, Mexico.
Brewster (29-2, 26 KOs), of Los Angeles, by way of Indianapolis, most recently defeated Wladimir Klitschko with a stunning fifth-round TKO in Las Vegas April 10, 2004, to claim the WBO title. Brewster won the NABO championship by scoring a third-round TKO over former Olympic bronze medalist Nate Jones on Feb. 2, 2002, in Reading, Pa. In his defense of that title, the Indianapolis native stopped Tom Martin and added the WBC Continental Americas heavyweight belt to his resume in a United States Boxing Association (USBA) title eliminator. After turning pro at age 23, Brewster defeated his initial 22 opponents. Following a 2-2 record in 2000, the hard-hitting heavyweight has knocked out his past five opponents. Brewster will make his 10th Las Vegas appearance.
Meehan (29-1, 23 KOs), of Wyongah, Australia, won his initial 23 fights before losing for the only time of his career. He has since won his last six fights, including a sixth-round TKO over Damon Reed April 10, 2004, in Las Vegas. Through his career, Meehan has won every title he has been given the opportunity to capture by knockout, including the Oriental Boxing Association heavyweight, the South Seas heavyweight, the Australian heavyweight, IBF Pan Pacific heavyweight and the WBO Asia Pacific heavyweight belts.
SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING’s Steve Albert and Al Bernstein will call the action from ringside with Jim Gray serving as roving reporter. The executive producer of the SHOWTIME telecast will be Jay Larkin, with David Dinkins Jr. producing and Bob Dunphy directing.
For information on upcoming SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecasts, including complete fighter bios and records, related stories and more, please go the SHOWTIME website at http:www.sho.com/boxing