Former Cruiserweight King Steve ‘USS’ Cunningham took a huge leap
towards regaining his coveted IBF championship belt when he
convincingly outboxed former WBC Champ Wayne ‘Big Truck’ Braithwaite
to take a well deserved victory.
By doing so ‘USS’ Cunningham returned to the top of the IBF rankings
earning him the right, as mandatory challenger, for the long overdue
rematch with current champion Tomasz ‘Goral’ Adamek, who took his
crown by a close split decision victory last December in what has gone
down in the annals of boxing history as the greatest Cruiserweight
fight of all time.
The, surprisingly, off-TV battle between two of the Cruiserweight
division’s finest former champions, fighting for the right to face the
current champion, lived up to all expectations and, although not
quite up to the standards of last year’s Cunningham-Adamek, could
rightly be described as the the best Cruiserweight fight of 2009 so
far.
Philadelphia’s ‘USS’ Cunningham controlled the early proceedings with
fast hands, slick combinations and superior boxing technique.
Guyanan born Braithwaite, now based in Florida, kept coming forward
but rarely had any real impact on his far quicker opponent, round
three being the only exception.
As the fight progressed into the final quarter ‘Big Truck’ shifted
gear and had done more than enough enough in the ninth to win that
round. However that was not to last and the juggernaut that is ‘USS’
Cunningham stepped up things again to finish the contest off in
convincing style and justifiably being declared the victor. The judges
scorecards read 119-109, 118-110 & 117-111.
After some well deserved rest Steve ‘USS’ Cunningham talked briefly
about the excellent result and the positive implications for his
career. "It was a great night for me, I was in there with a tough
opponent, Wayne came to the fight in good shape and prepared, but it
was my night. Brother Naazim and I had a great camp and I believe we
showcased a new and improved Steve ‘USS’ Cunningham.
Now, I am rated IBF number one and mandatory challenger to Tomasz
Adamek, he has too see me, or give up the belt, so we'll see if he's
ready for the rematch like I am, as well as our fans.
The fight should have been televised, two former champions, fighting
for position, it's really too bad that the networks consistently
overlook the Cruisers, but we are the division to watch.”
If all goes well later this year, should Adamek decide to defend his
IBF crown and not move to Heavyweight as he has implied, boxing fans
around the world could finally get to see the all American boy, Steve
‘USS’ Cunningham, in battle once again against the Polish Warrior,
complete with the raucous red and white barmy army, in the rematch of
the century... Adamek-Cunningham II
See you at the Fights.
Thanks for your time.
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