St Louis: Having his famous father and uncle working the corner was no help to Cory Spinks, who lost his IBF light middleweight title to Verno Phillips in a 12-round split decision.

The 30-year-old Spinks (36-5) has lost his past two fights. This defeat came a few weeks after a split with longtime trainer and manager Kevin Cunningham, and despite moral support from Leon Spinks and Michael Spinks, Cory's father and uncle and both former heavyweight champions.

"I felt good, just a little rusty, that's all," Spinks said of his first fight in 10 months. "I'm upset with myself. I let myself down."

Spinks said the layoff was too much to overcome and that he ended up going toe-to-toe as a result.

"I was trying to give the fans a little excitement," he said. "I should have just boxed, but it was also the rust.

"I felt like I could just get myself out of the way, but that wasn't the case and he caught me with some shots I shouldn't have gotten hit with."

Michael Spinks thought his nephew had won the fight.

"Being the champ, I thought Cory was going to get the decision," he said. "I thought it was going Cory's way."

Cory Spinks, the former undisputed welterweight champion, hopes to get back into the ring soon.

"I will get my titles back," he said. "I'm still a champ. I will still succeed."

The fight was Spinks third in his hometown and perhaps his last, given lacklustre attendance of 8,874, including thousands of free tickets. His first fight in 2005 sold out the 22,000-seat Scottrade Center.
Source : PTI