-Photo Credit: D M Warr/DKP-

Last nights Sho-Box “New Generation” junior middleweight scrap for the IBF bauble, delivered a grueling battle of attrition, with veteran Cory Spinks nipping young Deandre Latimore. 

Opening round begins with Spinks on a pugilistic repeat of the 1941 Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor - Cory’s version of attempted surprise was in quickly bringing it to the celebrated bigger punching Latimore. 

Latimore, not surprised, quickly fires back with a big left hand and down goes Spinks - but to his credit Cory survives the action when Latimore follows with assorted wild winging right hooks and power left hands that miss the target. 

The kid has the edge in a busy stanza two - but from round three on, it would be the start of a difficult assignment for those sitting ringside with pencil, paper, and eraser at hand. 

At the finish of the halfway mark, my unofficial had it all square - and then those critical championship rounds of 10,11,12 would go to the former two-time champion at welter and middleweight who had grabbed two of the three. 

The official scoring went Spinks 115-112, 115-112; Latimore 114-113. … my guess went Spinks at 115-113 in points, and using the finger biting round by round method 7-5. 

Rest of the story: Cory Spinks 37-5, 11 KOs, at age 31 with 42 kept appointments, the new reign at light middleweight is likely a brief one. Not a big puncher, and no longer responding from messages from the brain in counterpunching situations. Big plus Last noche was in displaying the standard daddy/uncle Spinks (Leon-Michael) strong heart. Hopefully, Cory continues by first bypassing a Paul Williams who’s numbered among JR. Middleweight field.       

                            Deandre Latimore age 23, 19-2, 16 KOs working from the port side - has time to upgrade the skills. Good power both hands, but not that alone is going to always get the job done. Clearly displayed promise - the right hook a solid one that complements the straight left hand. Showed good right jab, but not often enough to get the “W” -  could have set the pace, as well as added to the combination punching department. Immaturity let this one get away, although made it a close and interesting affair. Stay tuned. 

                            Referee Earl Morton - maybe a previous football quarterback in school - and thinks he’s still calling plays - when not the mouth, it’s the touching instead of simply breaking what he perceives a clinch.   

                            Commentators: Somebody should inform Nick Charles & Steve Farhood, when a dropped fighter falls inside the squared circle , he usually lands on the canvas - not the ground or floor.