In 2006, professional boxer Cornelius 'K9' Bundrage was a participant on ESPN's "The Contender" Season 2 boxing reality television show, with Hall of fame host Sugar Ray Leonard and Sylvester Stallone in Hollywood, California.

Wanting to avenge the slight, he volunteered to be the first member of his team to box in the tournament (quoting Matthew 20:16, "And the last shall be first") and found himself in a match against Michael Clark.

Bundrage bounced back, then went on to win The Contender bronze medal fight against Norberto Bravo with a devastating TKO in the seventh round in very impressive fashion.

On the January 12, 2007, edition of ESPN's Friday Night Fights at the Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma, Washington, Bundrage faced former top welterweight prospect Chris Smith.

He won the fight with a 7th round knockout against Colin McNeil, assuring the American team a victory in The Contender Challenge: UK vs. USA.

On July 11, 2007, "Wednesday Night Fights," K9 fought Joel Julio, a hard-hitting 22-year-old junior middleweight contender who at the time was rated top 3 in all major sanctioning bodies.

Bundrage defeated former IBF Light Middleweight Champion Kassim Ouma by unanimous decision in Salamanca, NY.

Then just a month later on December 13, 2008, Bundrage flew thousands of miles to Germany on 2 weeks notice to later upset previously unbeaten prospect European Champion Zaurbek Baysangurov via 5th round KO in an IBF eliminator for the #2 mandatory spot.

After four separate setback losses, two IBF eliminators and a no contest, Cornelius Bundrage finally got his questionable title fight with former Undisputed Welterweight Champion and then current IBF Light Middleweight Champion Cory Spinks on August 7, 2010 at the Scottrade Center, Saint Louis, Missouri, United States.

[2] He made the first defense of his IBF title in a rematch against Sechew "Iron Horse" Powell on June 25, 2011 in Saint Charles, Missouri.

On June 30, 2012, K9 rematched Cory Spinks to defend his title for the second time in San Jose California on SHOBOX: the new generation.

Bundrage got back into the winning column, defeating Miami's own Joey Hernandez 23-1 (KO 13), by unanimous decision for the IBF Eliminator #1 position on January 24, 2014 in Indio California at the Fantasy Springs Resort Casino.