Brandon Cook vs Marco Cornejo at the Canada Event Centre in Whitby. Photo Glenn Hendry
With heartfelt messages from the local boxing community playing on the video screen throughout the night and a packed crowd of 1,000 at the Canada Events Centre in Whitby – all gathered to witness Ajax boxing hero Brandon ‘Bad Boy’ Cook take his final bow in a professional match – it felt like the boxing was almost secondary.
But that’s not true, and it never is when Cook, a former Canadian, North American and Intercontinental champion and world title contender, steps into the ring representing Ajax, Ontario.
Boxing is serious business, and he had work to do against Marcos Cornejo from Argentina in Cook’s retirement bout. ‘Bad Boy’ controlled the fight for four rounds – mainly landing punishing body shots – leading to victory after Cornejo’s corner threw in the towel just before the fifth round was set to start.
Cook expressed gratitude to fans who supported him over his 14-year career and apologized for “not finishing” Cornejo during his last fight. His main reason for retiring was having his four-year-old son Cayden join him in the ring afterward.
“The main thing is my family.”
Other fights on the card included a majority decision win for Kingston’s Javon Blackstock (3-6-1) over Hamilton’s Drake Olchowecki (2-6-1) in a six-round light heavyweight match. Also featured was Canadian welterweight champion Cody Kelly of Collingwood (8-10-3), who won by unanimous decision against Pickering’s Kyle Mc Laughlin (6-2) in an exciting ten-round battle. Additionally, there was a four-round majority decision draw between Austin Joel of Courtice (2-0-1) and seasoned Mexican Jonatan Lecona (19-40-7).
Brandon Cook vs Steven Butler in Montreal
Now 39 years old, Cook captured the Canadian Super Welterweight title back in 2013 with a first-round knockout of Fitz Vanderpool at Hershey Centre in Mississauga. Two years later, he secured the North American championship after defeating Montreal’s Steven Butler via seventh-round TKO at Bell Centre – an event marked by chaos as an altercation broke out post-fight where Cook got hit by a metal ice bucket thrown by upset fans.
In September 2018, he reached new heights by competing on the undercard of Canelo Alvarez vs Gennady Golovkin’s middleweight championship fight at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, taking part in co-main event against Mexican star Jamie Munguai with WBO world super welterweight title on the line.
This bout ended early in round three as an eager but outmatched Cook found himself battling one of today’s top fighters.
“Fighting for a world title in Vegas was by far the best accomplishment of my boxing career. I didn’t win but being on that big stage with so many big names, I will never forget that.”
A quarter-century after that skinny kid first put on gloves at Ajax Boxing Club, Brandon ‘Bad Boy’ Cook wrapped up his career with a record of 27 wins and 3 losses last Friday.
While he hoped to finish with more flair – “I was looking too much for the big knockout punch” – he left happy about winning and ready to embrace whatever comes next.
“I just want to spend more time with Cayden and with my family. Whatever he wants,” he said following his match. “I’m happy. I’m not hurt. I can enjoy the rest of my life.”
“Thank you, Brandon – for your years of dedication, battles fought, inspiration given, and everything you’ve contributed to boxing both Ontario-wide and across Canada,” stated Tyler Buxton from United Promotions who has promoted Cook throughout his journey; calling this last fight “a champion’s exit.”
“What a legacy.”
For Cook now begins another chapter ahead- “whatever that will be.”
“I just know it’s not going to be getting punched in the head.”
Brandon Cook and family
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Brandon Cook vs Steven Butler in Montreal
Now 39 years old, Cook captured the Canadian Super Welterweight title back in 2013 with a first-round knockout of Fitz Vanderpool at Hershey Centre in Mississauga. Two years later, he secured the North American championship after defeating Montreal’s Steven Butler via seventh-round TKO at Bell Centre – an event marked by chaos as an altercation broke out post-fight where Cook got hit by a metal ice bucket thrown by upset fans.
In September 2018, he reached new heights by competing on the undercard of Canelo Alvarez vs Gennady Golovkin’s middleweight championship fight at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, taking part in co-main event against Mexican star Jamie Munguai with WBO world super welterweight title on the line.
This bout ended early in round three as an eager but outmatched Cook found himself battling one of today’s top fighters.
“Fighting for a world title in Vegas was by far the best accomplishment of my boxing career. I didn’t win but being on that big stage with so many big names, I will never forget that.”
A quarter-century after that skinny kid first put on gloves at Ajax Boxing Club, Brandon ‘Bad Boy’ Cook wrapped up his career with a record of 27 wins and 3 losses last Friday.
While he hoped to finish with more flair – “I was looking too much for the big knockout punch” – he left happy about winning and ready to embrace whatever comes next.
“I just want to spend more time with Cayden and with my family. Whatever he wants,” he said following his match. “I’m happy. I’m not hurt. I can enjoy the rest of my life.”
“Thank you, Brandon – for your years of dedication, battles fought, inspiration given, and everything you’ve contributed to boxing both Ontario-wide and across Canada,” stated Tyler Buxton from United Promotions who has promoted Cook throughout his journey; calling this last fight “a champion’s exit.”
“What a legacy.”
For Cook now begins another chapter ahead- “whatever that will be.”
“I just know it’s not going to be getting punched in the head.”
Brandon Cook and family
Last 30 Days : 62 ,243 Votes
All Time : 1 ,147 ,428 Votes471 VOTES
