In this interview, Shawna Bundrage, the wife of former two-time junior middleweight world title holder Cornelius “K-9” Bundrage, discusses her role as a manager in the fight game and gives an update on her husband’s career.
DL: How did you first start managing fighters?
SB: I was introduced to boxing nineteen years ago when I first met K-9. The only fighters I knew before that were “Iron” Mike Tyson and Muhammad Ali. I began managing K-9 in 2008, a few years after the reality boxing show “The Contender, Season 2.” I didn’t like how certain things were going with negotiations with different promoters he was dealing with at the time. In some cases, promoters and fighters have a good working relationship without a manager. But then on the other hand, some promoters prey on that and take advantage of the fighter. Some promoters will try to bully fighters into taking certain fights for crumbs or put you on the shelf if you don’t sign an extension or accept a fight. All types of stuff goes down in this game. Therefore, the fighter is sometimes hesitant to stand up to them and will just go along with what they say. As a wife, athlete, and competitor, I had to step up, put on my manager’s hat, and get to work. My first official fight as K-9’s manager was when he traveled to Germany to knock out the undefeated Russian Zaurbek Baysangurov in the fifth round. The victory secured his shot at the super welterweight IBF title held by Cory Spinks. From that point on, I’ve been managing his career. In 2010, I shared the spotlight with the late Emanuel Steward, who co-managed K-9 with me. He was a good man. He taught me a lot about contracts and managing. Every time he would call me, I would soak his knowledge up like a sponge. When I started managing K-9, I didn’t really look to expand it. But as time went by, my love for boxing grew, and that is when I knew I wanted to take it to the next level and manage fighters.
DL: Tell me about the latest fighter who you just signed.
SB: I have an exclusive managerial agreement with Larone “Jet” Whyte. He’s from Ontario , Canada , but both of his parents are of Jamaican descent. He’s a former MVP outstanding defensive football player, turned boxer. Larone injured his quad in his senior year of high school and that’s when he turned to boxing. Larone is a welterweight with a record of 3-1 with two knockouts. Just three months ago, Larone participated in the Wray & Nephew Contender Tournament that took place at the Chinese Benevolent Association Auditorium in Kingston , Jamaica . He did very well in the tournament and held his own against more experienced fighters. The only loss of Larone’s career was a split decision and his opponent (Sakima Mullings) was 20-3 with fourteen knockouts. Everyone was saying that Larone was the guy who won, but they gave it to the guy in the tournament. In 2012, Larone fought his way to the quarter final in the Olympic trials. He is currently trained by John Melich at Champion Boxing Club in Canada . This kid has a bright future, he’s hungry, focused, and ready to display his talents before the world. I see a lot of potential in this young fighter.
DL: Who else are you currently managing?
SB: I have an exclusive managerial agreement with super welterweight king two-time world champion K-9. My son Daishaun Bundrage, super welterweight amateur fighter, will be fighting this weekend in Detroit . Also, Dwayne “Gladiator” Williams – he’s a 175-pounder. Prior to Williams signing with SB Boxing Management, he took the warrior road early in his career, accepting short notice fights against undefeated opposition. Unfortunately, he wasn’t the victor but he gained a lot of experience from his past decisions. He wanted a fresh new start in his career. I believe in him and that is why I chose to work with him. Dwayne is a hard working, dedicated good fighter. The opportunities are right before him and I’m sure that he will take full advantage of every single one. I want to give him a shot to do it right. My guys have a manger that is dedicated and desires to see them succeed. Plus, they have a two-time world champ who is currently fighting and who will mentor them on the boxing side. If you ask me, I’d say that’s a good deal.
DL: What’s the status with K-9’s career?
SB: The plan with K-9 is simple, which is to keep him active. Everything is going according to the plan. K-9’s last two fights were in January (2nd round KO over Sergio Gomez, 20-20), and then in June (unanimous decision over Juan Carlos Rojas, 8-10-2). This man is a beast. He’s in the gym doing work and it’s amazing how he handles sparring partners. These are young, talented prospects. The dog still has a lot left. His heart is in it. He still has that look in his eyes that I am so accustomed to seeing. That will to win, the will to succeed. The focus is to keep him in the ring and keep him climbing the rankings, so that he can get back what’s rightly his – to be crowned a three-time champion. Now he’s scheduled to fight in September and he also has a date in October. I would like him to fight two or three more times this year. I just want to keep him busy, keep him sharp, just in case we get a great offer. We may reach out to a promoter at some point, but he’s giving himself the best chance to win a title eliminator or a world title shot. When you stay ready, then you don’t have to get ready.
DL: Anything in closing?
SB: I’m looking to get Larone in his debut fighting under the SB Boxing management banner in October, and Dwayne Williams will be making his debut fight in November in Detroit . I’m going to do everything I can to keep my fighters busy and take them down the same road that K-9 and I took to the world titles. But this time, make it as smooth as possible, so that my guys can live stress free and are able to concentrate on boxing, not the craziness that goes behind the scenes. They say the calm before the storm. Well, the only storm a fighter should be concerned with is the opponent on the opposite side of the ring, not the boxing business. With God, all things are possible.
The readers can find Dwayne Williams on Facebook and Instagram @gladiators, Larone Whyte on Facebook and Instagram @Larone_Jet_Whyte, Cornelius “K-9” Bundrage on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, and Youtube @K9boxing, and Daishaun Bundrage on Instagram @lilk9slick.
Doveed Linder is the author of RINGSIDE: INTERVIEWS WITH 24 FIGHTERS AND BOXING INSIDERS, a collection of in depth interviews with various fighters, trainers, corner men, promoters, and officials, including “Sugar” Ray Leonard, Roy Jones, Jr., Angelo Dundee, Emanuel Steward, Larry Merchant, Bob Arum, Steve Smoger, and Jackie Kallen. The foreword was written by Boxingtalk publisher Greg Leon. This book is now available on Amazon.com: https://www.amazon.com/Ringside-Interviews-Fighters-Boxing-Insiders/dp/1476664412
