Leonard Bundu

Last updated
Leonard Bundu
Born (1974-11-21) 21 November 1974 (age 49)
Freetown, Sierra Leone
NationalityItalian
Other namesThe Lion
Statistics
Weight(s) Welterweight
Height1.69 m (5 ft 7 in)
Reach174 cm (69 in)
Stance Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights37
Wins33
Wins by KO12
Losses2
Draws2
Medal record
Men's amateur boxing
Representing Flag of Italy.svg  Italy
Mediterranean Games
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 1997 Bari Light-welterweight
World Championships
Bronze medal icon (B initial).svg 1999 Houston Welterweight
Representing Flag of Sierra Leone.svg  Sierra Leone
Olympic Qualifiers (Africa)
Bronze medal icon (B initial).svg 2004 Gaborone Welterweight

Leonard Bundu (born 21 November 1974) is a Sierra Leone-born Italian former professional boxer who competed from 2005 to 2016. He held multiple regional welterweight championships, including the European title twice between 2011 and 2016; the European Union title from 2009 to 2010; the Commonwealth title in 2014; and challenged once for the WBA interim welterweight title in 2014. As an amateur, Bundu won a gold medal in the light-welterweight division at the 1997 Mediterranean Games; welterweight bronze at the 1999 World Championships; and represented Italy at the 2000 Olympics, where he reached the second round of the welterweight bracket.

Contents

Amateur career

Bundu won his first major amateur medal at the 1997 Mediterranean Games in Bari, winning gold in the light-welterweight division. This was followed up with bronze at the 1999 World Championships in Houston. At the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Bundu fought in the welterweight division, losing to Daniyar Munaytbasov in the second round. Bundu also represented his native Sierra Leone at the 2nd AIBA African 2004 Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Gaborone, where he won bronze in welterweight division. [1]

Professional career

On 1 April 2005, Bundu won in his professional debut with a first-round knockout against Peter Gaspar. He would spend the next nine years fighting almost exclusively in his adoptive Italy, save for one outing in Germany. During this time Bundu would pick up many regional championships, including the vacant European Union welterweight title on 13 March 2009, in a unanimous decision (UD) over Frank Haroche Horta. [2]

Bundu vs. Petrucci

This was bettered on 4 November 2011, when Bundu won the full European welterweight title in a rematch against Daniele Petrucci; [3] their first fight for the vacant title, on 25 June 2011, ended in an eighth-round majority technical draw.

Bundu vs. Gavin

Bundu defended his European title six times, as well as winning the Commonwealth title against undefeated contender and decorated amateur Frankie Gavin. In their fight, on 1 August 2014, Bundu scored a surprise sixth-round knockdown with a hard body shot, and would go on to win by split decision.[ citation needed ]

Bundu vs. Thurman

Later in the year, on 13 December, Bundu challenged unsuccessfully for his first major world championship in his first visit to the United States. Defending WBA interim titlist Keith Thurman, also an undefeated prospect at the time, knocked Bundu down in the first round, but Bundu showed his durability by going the full twelve-round distance with the feared puncher. In doing so, Bundu suffered his first professional loss via UD. [4]

Bundu vs. Koivula

On 22 April 2016, Bundu won the vacant European welterweight title for a second time by stopping Jussi Koivula in nine rounds. [5]

Bundu vs. Spence Jr

Later that year, on 21 August, Bundu travelled to the US for a third time to face Errol Spence Jr., another undefeated prospect, in what was an eliminator for the IBF welterweight title. The first three rounds were fast-paced and competitive, with Bundu utilising his pressure fighting style and feints, although his punch output would slow in the fourth as Spence began using consistent combinations and lateral movement. In round six, Bundu was floored by a hard uppercut, but this was incorrectly deemed a push by the referee. Seconds later, Spence landed an uppercut–hook combination which left Bundu slumped on the canvas unconscious, in his first knockout loss. [6] He was also stripped of his European welterweight title. [7]

Professional boxing record

37 fights33 wins2 losses
By knockout121
By decision211
Draws2
No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
37Loss33–2–2 Errol Spence Jr. KO6 (12), 2:0621 Aug 2016 Ford Amphitheater at Coney Island, New York City, New York, US
36Win33–1–2 Jussi Koivula TKO9 (12), 2:4022 Apr 2016Nelson Mandela Forum, Florence, ItalyWon vacant European welterweight title
35Win32–1–2Pablo MunguiaUD826 Jun 2015Little Creek Casino Resort, Shelton, Washington, US
34Loss31–1–2 Keith Thurman UD1213 Dec 2014 MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, USFor WBA interim welterweight title
33Win31–0–2 Frankie Gavin SD121 Aug 2014 Civic Hall, Wolverhampton, EnglandRetained European welterweight title;
Won Commonwealth welterweight title
32Win30–0–2 Lee Purdy TKO12 (12), 2:5314 Dec 2013 ExCeL, London, EnglandRetained European welterweight title
31Win29–0–2 Rafał Jackiewicz KO11 (12)6 Apr 2013Teatro Tendastrisce, Rome, ItalyRetained European welterweight title
30Win28–0–2 Ismael El Massoudi KO1 (12), 2:401 Dec 2012Palazzetto dello Sport, Rezzato, ItalyRetained European welterweight title
29Win27–0–2Stefano CastellucciTD5 (12), 2:5514 Jul 2012 Palasport Primo Carnera, Udine, ItalyRetained European welterweight title;
Unanimous TD: Bundu cut from an accidental head clash
28Win26–0–2Antonio MoscatielloKO5 (12), 2:0523 Mar 2012Palasport EIB Fiera, Brescia, ItalyRetained European welterweight title
27Win25–0–2Daniele PetrucciUD124 Nov 2011Nelson Mandela Forum, Florence, ItalyWon vacant European welterweight title
26Draw24–0–2Daniele PetrucciTD8 (12)25 Jun 2011 Foro Italico, Rome, ItalyFor vacant European welterweight title;
Majority TD: Bundu sustained eye swelling from an accidental head clash
25Win24–0–1Zoran CvekPTS625 Feb 2011Palazzetto dello Sport "Mario Mattioli", Florence, Italy
24Win23–0–1Moises CastroKO1 (6)26 Nov 2010Palazzetto dello Sport, Rezzato, Italy
23Win22–0–1Ronny McFieldTD6 (6)21 May 2010Centro Sportivo San Filippo, Brescia, ItalyUnanimous TD: Bundu cut from an accidental head clash
22Win21–0–1 Carlos Adán Jerez TD5 (12)19 Mar 2010Nelson Mandela Forum, Florence, ItalyWon vacant WBA Inter-Continental welterweight title;
Unanimous TD: Jerez cut from an accidental head clash
21Win20–0–1Ronny McFieldTD7 (8)18 Dec 2009PalaBianchini, Latina, ItalyUnanimous TD: Bundu cut from an accidental head clash
20Win19–0–1Frank ShabaniUD1227 Jun 2009 Max-Schmeling-Halle, Berlin, GermanyRetained European Union welterweight title
19Win18–0–1Frank Haroche HortaUD1213 Mar 2009Nelson Mandela Forum, Florence, ItalyWon vacant European Union welterweight title
18Win17–0–1Johannes FabriziusPTS621 Nov 2008Palazzetto dello Sport, Nuvolera, Italy
17Win16–0–1Laszlo KomjathiTKO5 (6)24 Oct 2008 Podenzano, Italy
16Win15–0–1Patrik HruskaPTS628 Aug 2008Lungolago Zanardelli, Toscolano-Maderno, Italy
15Win14–0–1Giammario GrasselliniTKO1 (10)4 Mar 2008Nelson Mandela Forum, Florence, Italy
14Win13–0–1Gheorghe DanutPTS812 Dec 2007Rezzato, Italy
13Win12–0–1Vincenzo FinziTKO1 (12), 2:4024 Aug 2007Lungolago Zanardelli, Toscolano-Maderno, ItalyRetained IBF Mediterranean welterweight title
12Draw11–0–1Luciano AbisTD3 (10), 0:3715 Jun 2007PalaLido, Milan, ItalyFor vacant Italy welterweight title;
Bundu cut from an accidental head clash
11Win11–0Karim NetchaouiTKO11 (12)2 Mar 2007 Nelson Mandela Forum, Florence, ItalyWon vacant IBF Mediterranean welterweight title
10Win10–0Volodymyr BorovskyyPTS821 Oct 2006 Palazzetto dello Sport, Rome, Italy
9Win9–0Virgil MelegPTS622 Sep 2006 Cortemaggiore, Italy
8Win8–0Attila KissPTS611 Aug 2006 Toscolano-Maderno, Italy
7Win7–0Vincenzo FinziPTS612 May 2006 Rezzato, Italy
6Win6–0Mugurel SebeUD83 Apr 2006 Rivarolo Canavese, Italy
5Win5–0Mārtiņš KukulisPTS610 Feb 2006Palazzetto dello Sport, Chiarbola, Trieste, Italy
4Win4–0Brett JamesPTS67 Aug 2005 Palasport Flaminio, Rimini, Italy
3Win3–0Antonio TaglialatelaTD3 (6)5 Jun 2005Piazza della Loggia, Brescia, Italy
2Win2–0Ferenc OlahKO1 (6)16 Apr 2005 PalaNorda, Bergamo, Italy
1Win1–0Peter GasparKO1 (6), 2:081 Apr 2005 Florence, Italy

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References

  1. ↑ "Sport & Note". www.sportenote.com. Retrieved 2022-03-03.
  2. ↑ Crociati, Enrico (14 March 2009). "Bundu outpoints Haroche Horta!" Archived 2017-01-28 at the Wayback Machine . Fightnews. Freitag Marketing Services. Retrieved 23 April 2016.
  3. ↑ Ayala, Edwin (6 November 2011). "Battle of Unbeaten Paisans Goes Route for Euro Title". ringtalk.com. Retrieved 23 April 2016.
  4. ↑ Rosenthal, Michael (13 December 2014). "Keith Thurman easily outpoints Leonard Bundu". The Ring . Retrieved 23 April 2016.
  5. ↑ Persson, Per Ake (23 April 2016). "Leonard Bundu Stops Jussi Koivula, Captures EBU Title". BoxingScene. Retrieved 23 April 2016.
  6. ↑ Gerbasi, Thomas (21 August 2016). "Errol Spence Knocks Bundu Out Cold in Six, in Line For Brook". BoxingScene. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  7. ↑ Persson, Per Ake (30 August 2016). "Malignaggi vs. El Mousaoui in Line For EBU Clash, Bundu Stripped". BoxingScene. Retrieved 30 August 2016.
Sporting positions
Regional boxing titles
Vacant
Title last held by
Giammario Grassellini 		IBF Mediterranean
welterweight champion
2 March 2007 – 2008
Vacated		Vacant
Title next held by
Giuseppe Langella
Vacant
Title last held by
Daniele Petrucci 		Italy welterweight champion
5 March 2008 – June 2008
Vacated		Vacant
Title next held by
Nicola Conti
European Union
welterweight champion
13 March 2009 – 2010
Vacated		Vacant
Title next held by
Luciano Abis
Vacant
Title last held by
Stefano Castellucci 		WBA Inter-Continental
welterweight champion
19 March 2010 – 2011
Vacated		Vacant
Title next held by
Kell Brook
Vacant
Title last held by
Matthew Hatton 		European welterweight champion
4 November 2011 – November 2014
Vacated		Vacant
Title next held by
Gianluca Branco
Vacant
Title last held by
Frankie Gavin 		Commonwealth
welterweight champion
1 August 2014 – November 2014
Vacated		Vacant
Title next held by
Frankie Gavin
Vacant
Title last held by
Gianluca Branco 		European welterweight champion
22 April 2016 – 21 August 2016
Stripped		Vacant
Title next held by
Ceferino Rodriguez
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