March 25, 2008 Ashland, KY This past Saturday night, March 22, in Fountain Hills, Arizona, Cory Phelps and Bobby Gunn engaged in an exciting 6 round boxing match that resulted in a highly controversial draw. There have been numerous reports, many inaccurate and false, throughout the Internet boxing community regarding the circumstances surrounding the severe damage done to Bobby Gunn’s face and as to the terms of the fight contract.. Team Phelps, which includes the fighter Cory Phelps and his father Larry, as well as numerous other professionals involved in the sport of boxing, want their voice heard as to the reality of the fight.
First and foremost, Team Phelps would like to thank FelKO Promotions, Don Elbaum, The Fort McDowell Casino and the Arizona State Boxing Commission for the opportunity to fight on the card. While we were treated professionally leading up to and after the fight, we obviously strongly disagree with the official result, which was a draw. But more importantly, we take issue with and want to address the incorrect post-fight reporting that this fight was originally scheduled for 10 rounds, but was changed to a 6 round bout at the weigh-in. This information is 100% false. When Don Elbaum and David Feldman originally contacted Team Phelps in late February to discuss fighting Bobby Gunn, the terms were and have always been that this would be a 6 round bout. The original contract that Team Phelps signed on March 9th represents the fact that this fight was scheduled for 6 rounds. A 10 round fight was never mentioned and was never a part of the negotiations. For anyone, whether it is a boxing scribe, website or another fighter, to insinuate that the fight terms were changed at the weigh-in from 10 rounds to a 6 round fight is simply being irresponsible and grossly incorrect in their account of the facts. It is not fair to Team Phelps and specifically Cory Phelps to be accused of such “Bush League” and manipulative tactics, as this is just one of several post-fight reports and quotes from Bobby Gunn that Team Phelps takes issue with. It is always important for the truth to be reported in any situation and especially when a professional fighter and his Team’s reputation are at hand.
Additionally, we would like to address the “head-butting” issue that has been reported by numerous boxing websites. It has been reported that Gunn suffered a cut from an “accidental” head-butt early in the first round. As the video of the fight clearly shows, Cory Phelps landed a right hand that did the initial damage to Gunn’s eye and it was the subsequent, repeated, multiple head-butting done and initiated by Bobby Gunn that garnered several warnings from the referee to Gunn, not Phelps. And even though no points were deducted from either fighter, one could make a strong argument that Gunn should have had at least one point taken for his continued and deliberate fouling throughout the fight (multiple head-butts and low-blows). From the moment the first bell rang and throughout the entire fight, Bobby Gunn willingly, repeatedly and flagrantly attempted to use his head as a weapon. To set the record straight, the severe damage done to Gunn’s face was the result of 6 rounds of solid, accurate jabs and straight right hands thrown by the much taller Phelps. When there was a clash of heads, the video of the fight clearly shows that it was a direct result of Bobby Gunn’s deliberate, repeated attempts to head-butt Cory Phelps. Not only did Gunn use his head as a weapon but he threw and landed several low-blows. The video of the fight, which was purchased from the promoter of the event by Larry Phelps, will be made available in the very near future for the public and boxing writers to see and judge for themselves.
Finally, Gunn is quoted in an interview with David Baggs before the fight as saying, “Phelps isn’t in my league. Getting past him is just another step towards getting a bigger and better fight.” Gunn is also quoted in the same interview as saying, “If the right fight presented itself at light heavyweight, I can get down to 175 easy.” Gunn is also quoted on several boxing websites as saying after the fight that he would, “Love a rematch (with Phelps) as soon as possible. I know that I would have stopped this kid if it was a 10 rounder and he knows it too!” Well, be careful what you wish for because now is Mr. Gunn’s opportunity to prove all of his tough talk. Cory Phelps would love a rematch as soon as possible and the rematch can and should be 10 rounds. Since Gunn is on record as talking about making light heavyweight, let’s make the rematch at 175 pounds, which, by the way, is Cory’s natural fighting weight. Team Gunn and FelKO Promotions know how to contact Team Phelps. Quit making excuses and false accusations and let’s get the rematch set. Team Phelps is ready, willing and waiting. Cory Phelps will fight Bobby Gunn anywhere, anytime and anyplace. Team Gunn and everyone in attendance at the fight know that Gunn was more than lucky to escape Saturday night with a draw, and all of the excuses in the world will not change the facts. Many of Gunn’s supporters spoke directly with Larry Phelps after the fight and told him they thought that Cory Phelps won the fight easily.
In closing, Team Phelps would like to go on record as stating their collective surprise at the way Bobby Gunn has reacted in the aftermath of this fight. When Team Phelps first met with Bobby Gunn, he was gracious, kind and very respectful in person. Now that the fight has taken place, it is very apparent that Gunn is not the gentleman he portrays himself to be. For Gunn or anyone to make false and derogatory statements about the terms of the fight is inexcusable and classless. Cory Phelps summed things up quite well when he said, “What people say behind my back is none of my business. I can’t do anything about what is said behind my back. But I sure can do something when it is said to my face.” That is a true statement, indeed.