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 old Pole, nicknamed “Diablo”, pressed the attack for most of the twelve rounds while the taller, 30 year old Cunningham used his significant reach advantage to pick off and counter his rival on the way in.

Although American judge Charles Dwyer had Cunningham winning every round, aside from one scored evenly, at 119-109, Polish judge Wlodzimierz Kromka saw it 115-113 for the Polish fighter, as did German judge Wallfried Rollert at 116-112, awarding Krzysztof Wlodarczyk, 37-1 (28), the victory and vacant IBF belt.

Cunningham, 19-1 (10), will reportedly file a protest with the IBF over what he feels was a blatant hometown decision.