20 years ago

Date: 13th December 2003

Venue: Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey

Title: WBC, WBA Super & IBF World Welterweight Titles

Promoter: Don King

Tv: HBO PPV

Cory Spinks
( 31 - 2 - 0 )
Weight: 146 lbs

Ricardo Mayorga
( 25 - 3 - 1 )
Weight: 146 lbs

In a bull versus matador type contest, IBF World welterweight champion, Cory Spinks collected the WBA and WBC versions from Nicaragua's Ricardo Mayorga who fouled most of the way through their Showtime-televised contest.

Mayorga was penalised 1 point in round 5 for hitting after the bell and also 1 point in round 11 for holding and hitting by referee Tony Orlando which led to a still close majority decision. Judge Atur Ellensohn scored 114-114, a draw.

Mayorga, who was already lined up for a March 13th assignment against Shane Mosley blew the chance of a huge payday with this performance. He had won the WBA belt from Guyana's Andrew Lewis and added the WBC belt against Mosley conqueror Vernon Forrest and then beaten Forrest in a return, so Mayorga versus Mosley was the big money opportunity for Mayorga.

Incidentally, Mosley and Mayorga would meet in September 2008, Mosley winning by 12th round Ko.