ST. LOUIS, United States (AFP) - Cory Spinks, the son of former heavyweight champion Leon Spinks, defends his International Boxing Federation crown here in his hometown on Thursday against fellow American Verno Phillips.

Spinks, 36-4 with 11 knockouts, was the undisputed world welterweight champion in 2003 and will be fighting for the first time since losing a split decision to former world middleweight champion Jermain Taylor last May.

But this will be the first fight for Spinks since his split three weeks ago with trainer Kevin Cunningham, who had guided him for 13 years until he started working with Buddy Shaw earlier this month.

"Egos get in the way," Spinks said. "It has just been building. We've accomplished a lot but I guess it's time for something new. We've got to move on. You still have to be great in the end.

"I'm still happy and I will shine come Thursday night."

Belize-born Phillips, 41-10 with one drawn and 21 knockouts, is a former three-time world junior middleweight champion who has not fought since taking a unanimous 10-round decision 13 months ago over Mexican Eduardo Sanchez.

"I can't control the hometown fans. All I can control is what I do in the ring and show my skills," Phillips said. "I'm ready to go. I'm going to come here and upset him."

Phillips, 38, won the vacant IBF light middleweight crown in 2004 but held it less than four months before losing a unanimous 12-round decision to Uganda's Kassim Ouma in what was his most recent title fight until now.

"My opponent is a slick fighter but so am I. I will make him miss a lot," Spinks said. "He's a terrific fighter and he knows his way around the ring so I can't take him lightly."

Spinks said he planned to end Phillips' career while the challenger taunted Spinks, 30, to fight rather than run.

"I plan to do my thing and make him look silly," Phillips said. "I'm hard to hit. When my hands connect with him they will be solid. I can fight all night. I'm focused. I have not lost the skill that I have."