Countdown to the free webcast of "The Pride of St. Louis!"

Spinks: This title ain't going nowhere!

March 26, 2008

By Brian Grammer / Photos: David Martin Warr, DKP

Cory "Next Generation" Spinks stood smiling in the atrium of the Scottrade Center in St Louis, Missouri declaring that "Playtime is over!" and that "This title ain't going nowhere!"

At the other end of the dais sat former trainer and father figure, Kevin Cunningham, staring straight ahead, completely ignoring Spinks' gaze. Cunningham was in unfamiliar territory, separated from Spinks by the podium that they had shared on many occasions.

The divide between Spinks and Cunningham happened three weeks ago. Spinks said of the breakup: "Egos get in the way," Spinks explained. "It has just been building."

"It just got to the point where Cory's ready to run his own program with his new team," explained Cunningham of the split.

On Thursday, Cunningham will be in the corner of undefeated super lightweight Devon Alexander who fights contender Miguel Callist in the co-main event.

Spinks is now advised by his father, Leon, and uncle, Michael, both former world heavyweight champions and new trainer of three weeks, Buddy Shaw. Father, son and trainer were relaxed and confident (Michael Spinks was not in attendance), a glaring contrast to the ever intense Cunningham.

In the middle of all this was Spinks' opponent, Verno Phillips. Phillips, looking to regain a piece of the light middleweight title that he has previously held three times, is hoping to cash in on the drama surrounding Spinks and Cunningham. Phillips commented, "I was ready on January 19th in Madison Square Garden, but now we are in St. Louis, his hometown, and I am ready now."

Spinks (36-4, 11 KOs) will be putting his IBF light middleweight belt on the line against Phillips (41-10-1, 21 KOs) at "The Pride of St. Louis!" this Thursday at the Scottrade Center.

Also on the card will be undefeated WBC Continental Americas super lightweight titleholder Devon Alexander "The Great" (14-0, 8 KOs), also a native of St. Louis. His opponent, Miguel "Miguelito" Callist (24-6-1, 17 KOs), is from Colon, Panama and holds the WBA Fedelatin super lightweight crown.

Alexander, anxious to improve upon his last fight, a twelve round decision over Demarcus "Chop-Chop" Corley, stated that although Callist is a good fighter, "I am in blazing shape and ready to go twelve rounds."

Don King, in town with co-promoter, Art Pellulo of Banner Promotions, compared "The Pride of St. Louis" event to a battle between "two invading Darth Vaders versus the St. Louis Superfriends."

See "The Pride of St. Louis" this Thursday FREE ON THE INTERNET beginning at 5pm PT/8pm ET. The Alexander vs. Callist bout begins at 9:20 pm ET and the Spinks vs. Phillips main event begins at approximately 10:35 pm ET.

Visit www.DonKingTV.com for details.