By Jake Donovan

The hard-luck career of Cornelius Bundrage continues on, as the reigning junior middleweight titlist is once again forced to put a fight on ice.

A planned title defense versus Jermall Charlo saw plenty of movement in the past 24 hours, as its fight date was changed from July 25 to July 18, the latter date representing a televised slot on CBS. The bout has now been postponed altogether, as the 42-year old suffered a deep cut during a Monday morning sparring session, requiring more than a dozen stitches.

News of the fight didn’t reach event handlers until after his showdown with Charlo was announced, thus prompting an immediate schedule revision.

“I got cut in sparring today,” Bundrage announced through his verified social media account. “[I’m v]ery disappointed my fight is postponed. God is in control. I can only get stronger.”

The bout was due to serve as the co-feature to the stateside debut of unbeaten 122 lb. titlist Carl Frampton, who still faces Mexico’s Alejandro Gonzalez Jr. on July 18 in El Paso, Texas.

Bundrage (34-5, 19KOs) had been stuck a one fight-per-year diet dating back to 2009, but managed to win a title eliminator and the belt itself in a two-fight 2014 ring campaign. The middle-aged boxer became a two-time 154 lb. titlist after a clean 12-round win over Carlos Molina on the road in Mexico last October.

The victory earned the Detroit native the distinction of twice winning a belt in hostile territory. His first title reign began in 2010, scoring a 5th round knockout of Cory Spinks in St. Louis. Both of his successful title defenses came in rematches, scoring a 12-round win over Sechew Powell in 2011—avenging a 1st round knockout loss some six years prior—and then once again stopping Spinks, this time in seven rounds in their June ’12 sequel.

Oddly enough, the lone title fight at home for Bundrage resulted in the end of his first title reign, dropping a 12-round decision to Ishe Smith in their Feb. ’13 clash.

Bundrage has since won two straight—a 12-round decision over Joey “Twinkle Fingers” Hernandez (not to be confused with krikya360.com Senior Writer David “Twinkle Fingaz” Greisman) in their title eliminator last January, in addition to his win over Molina.

Charlo (21-0, 16KOs) will receive his first title shot once the bout is rescheduled. The unbeaten contender from Houston is coming off of a 10-round shutout win over Michael Finney this past March in Las Vegas.

Jake Donovan is the Managing Editor of krikya360.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox