By Sam Gregory: In the main event of tonight’s edition of ShoBox The New Generation Cory Spinks fought local St Louis fighter Deandre Latimore in a scheduled 12 round bout for the vacant IBF Jr middleweight title.

Going into tonight’s fight southpaw Cory Spinks has a record of 36 wins with 5 loses, 11 KO’s; his opponent, also a southpaw Deandre Latimore has a record of 19 wins and 1 loss with 16 KO’s.

Spinks entered the ring to a chorus of boo’s.

The first round started with a lot of action; both men throwing their jab, Spinks landed a solid right while Latimore landed a counter right that dropped Spinks to the canvas. Spinks was hurt by the punch. Spinks beat the count and landed another solid right. Both men threw a lot of punches; as the round ended it was an impressive round with Latimore winning a 10-8 round.

Between rounds Cunningham told Spinks he got caught up like a rookie.

In round 2 Spinks landed his jab. Latimore landed a solid right hand. Latimore lands a left uppercut. Spinks defense looks lousy. Latimore worked a great pace throughout the round.

Round three Latimore lands his jab early. Spinks has his hands down and is wide open. Spinks clinches. Now Spinks lands a nice right hand. Over hand left lands for Latimore. In the last minute of the round both men fight in close. Latimore lands what looks like a low blow but Spinks’ trunks are pretty high. Spinks might have done enough to win the round.

In round four Latimore landing his jab hard; not as aggressive as the first round. Latimore lands a right cross to Spinks’ face. Both men tie up, Spinks punches out and lands big left hand at the end of the round.

In round five both men throw jabs. They fight in close, Latimore landing his uppercut. Latimore misses with a hook; both men tie up, Latimore punches out Spinks lands big left hand. Spinks is slowing the pace and starting to take control. Spinks suffers a cut over his left eye due to a probable head butt.

In round six both men throw their jab and tie up. Latimore is working the body; Spinks ties him up, punches out and lands a right hook. The crowd starts to chant Cory! Cory! As Spinks wrestles Latimore a round, breaks and lands a right hook at the end of the round.

Round seven both men throwing their jab, Spinks pushes Latimore in the corner and lands a over hand left. Spinks is busy this round throwing the uppercut in close; Latimore landing his uppercut in close at the end of the round.

Round eight Spinks is snapping his jab, Latimore is measuring his punches and lands with a left, Spinks lands his left. Both men fight in close again, Latimore lands a right hook. Latimore is working on the cut above Spinks’ eye and the cut looks bad. Latimore lands a solid right to close the round.

In round nine Spinks is in control counter punching Latimore’s jab. The pace as slowed a lot, they clinch and punch out. Spinks is landing his jab and in control of the fight. Latimore is holding his hands low. Spinks finishes the round big.

Between round Latimore’s corner working on a cut over his left eye; Latimore tells the res it’s from a head-butt

Round ten Latimore has slowed a lot; Spinks gets busier and lands jab and solid left. Crowd is chanting Spinks’ name again. Latimore lands a solid left hand. Latimore finishes with a big round. The fight looks like it’s going Spinks way but Latimore won this round.

Round 11 Latimore caught Spinks with a solid left hand. Spinks is in control; Latimore is lunging but missing with his punches. Both men are fighting sloppy; they tie up, Spinks punches out. The round is close; Spinks took the round, he was busier and landed right hook.

In the 12th and final round, both men throw jab and tie up. Ref yells break; Spinks lands right cross, Latimore goes down but ref says a slip. Latimore is shot; leaning on Spinks. Spinks punches out and lands solid right. Spinks is busier. In the last half minute they both throw looping punches and tie up; Spinks punches out; the round ends. Spinks wins the round.

The fight goes to the judge’s score cards: 115-112 for Spinks, 115-112 Latimore, 114-113 for Spinks who wins by split decision.

Spinks improves his record to 37-5 with 11 KO’s. Latimore falls to 19-2 with 16 KO’s.