© Gianluca (Rio) Di Caro

Since the convincing victory over former WBC champ Wayne ‘Big Truck’ Braithwaite, at the IBF Cruiserweight title eliminator at Sunrise, Florida on the 11th July, there has been surprisingly little news coming out of Steve ‘USS’ Cunningham’s camp.

This silence appears to have set the rumour mill spinning into overtime with many highly respected boxing publications and websites around the world publishing reports that Cunningham had injured his hand during the fight against Braithwaite and would not be ready for the proposed IBF title showdown with Adamek at the Prudential Center in Newark this coming October.

Cunningham, who had in fact taken a well deserved extended holiday in Las Vegas with his family following the magnificent victory, became aware of the rumours after receiving calls from concerned friends and journalists regarding the reported injury on his return to training, under the guidance of “Trainer of the Year” Naazim Richardson at the James Shuler Memorial Gym in West Philadelphia, a few weeks ago.

Speaking for the first time on the alleged injury, Cunningham said, "I feel great coming off of my fight with Braithwaite. I've heard there are rumors that I am injured from the fight and that's simply not true. I've been back in the gym for three weeks now and I feel great! I'm at 100%, I am ready, willing and able to fight anyone in my path!"

The published rumours, which were accredited to being from a highly respected boxing insider, threw doubt that the mouthwatering prospect of a rematch with Adamek, to whom Cunningham lost his coveted crown, by a close split decision, after the monumental “Fight of the Year” nominated battle royale back in December ‘08.

Around the same time as the rumours started to emerge so did reports that Adamek was to face fellow Polish hero Andzej Golota on October 10th, fueling further doubt on the rematch happening this year, if at all, as this would mean a move to heavyweight for Adamek.

The former Navy man, whilst not quite extinguishing the flames of doubt over the rematch happening, did hint that his next fight may indeed still be for the coveted IBF belt, he had so proudly worn until that fateful December night, by saying, "My team and I are in the process of determining what's next for me. I'm in line for the title and I expect to be fighting for the belt very soon. We should have some big announcements soon. Two time, in '09"

Share/Save | (0) comments | Add your comments
Click to read more boxing articles by Boxing Press

Discuss in Boxing Forum

---

Related Boxing Articles...

• Boxing Preview: Steve Cunningham - Krzysztof Wlodarczyk

  Undefeated Philadelphian cruiserweight Steve Cunningham will be in Warsaw, Poland tonight, looking to win the vacant IBF title from local man Krzysztof Wlodarczyk. Cunningham, 19-0 (10), has been facing >
  
  

• IBF Boxing Champ Steve Cunningham To Receive “Briscoe” Award In Philly

  Philadelphia’s only current boxing world champion, Steve ‘USS’ Cunningham, is to be presented with a “Briscoe” award for 2007 Fighter of the Year. The presentation of the award will be >
  
  

• Former IBF Boxing Champ Cunningham Congratulates Afolabi

  Former IBF Cruiserweight king Steve ‘USS’ Cunningham praised Ola ‘Kryptonite’ Afolabi for his stunning ninth round knockout of former WBO cruiserweight Champion Enzo ‘Big Mac’ Maccarinelli on Saturday to take >
  
  

• Boxing Result: Steve Cunningham Beats Krzysztof Wlodarczyk In Rematch For IBF Cruiser Belt

  It was another close fight when IBF Cruiserweight Champion Krzysztof Wlodarczyk rematched American opponent Steve Cunningham last night at the Spodek Arena in Katowice, Poland but this time it was >
  
  

• Steve Cunningham Cheers On Krzysztof Wlodarczyk In His New Challenge

  

  IBF Cruiserweight World Champion, Steve ‘USS’ Cunningham, was quick to praise the performance of his former championship opponent, Krzysztof ‘Diablo’ Wlodarczyk 41-2 (3KOs), who is taking part in the Polish >
  
  

• Wlodarczyk Hands Cunningham First Loss, Annexes IBF Cruiser Title

  Last night in Warsaw, Poland, hometown hero Krzysztof Wlodarczyk outpointed previously undefeated Philadelphian Steve Cunningham by split decision to take the vacant IBF Cruiserweight Title belt. The 25 year >
  
  

• IBF Boxing Champion Steve ‘USS’ Cunningham Adds PR, Marketing Member To Team

  IBF Cruiserweight Champion, Steve ‘USS’ Cunningham announces today that he has added publicity and sports marketing specialist, Gianluca (Rio) Di Caro, to his team as he prepares for his >
  
  

• Boxing Update: Cunningham vs. Godfrey For Vacant IBF Title

  Former IBF cruiserweight champ Steve ‘USS’ Cunningham’s dreams of regaining the IBF belt from the man that took his coveted title were shattered on Monday when Main Events boss Kathy >
  
  

• Boxing Update: Cunningham Praises Adamek’s Knockout Victory.

  

  © Wojciech Kubik Former IBF Champion Steve ‘USS’ Cunningham was ringside at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey on Friday night supporting his former foe, current champ, Tomasz ‘Goral’ Adamek, >
  
  

• Former IBF Boxing Champion Steve Cunningham Goes On Record On Adamek Loss

  Recently deposed IBF cruiserweight champion Steve ‘USS’ Cunningham speaks out for the first time since the epic battle at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey on December 11, which >
  
  

---

Boxing News Tags: Steve Cunningham, Wayne Braithwaite