Boxing Update: Cunningham vs. Ross For Vacant IBF Title Saturday In Germany
The scene is set for probably one of the most exciting Cruiserweight battles of the year as two of the best cruiserweights in the World today prepare to face each other at the Jahnsportforum, Neubrandenburg in Germany this coming Saturday, the 5th June.
Former champion Steve “USS†Cunningham, finally gets the chance to not only regain the title he controversially lost back in December ‘08 to Poland’s Tomasz “Goral†Adamek, but also live up to his statement “Champ Again In 10†when he faces Canada’s Troy “The Boss†Ross for the vacant IBF Cruiserweight Title.
Cunningham, who had been in camp at the Max Schmeling Gym in Berlin for the past week, made a simple statement. “My sights are set on Saturday, I had a full camp back in February and March and I came to Germany very early to adjust to the time difference and pick up where we left off there.
I expect Ross to bring his A game, I am going to bring mine. As far as I am concerned, that is my belt, I am not thinking about anything else besides beating Ross and becoming two time world champion.”
The winner of this most important of fights will without doubt cement his standing as the most formidable 200-pounder in the world as Cunningham having already beaten fellow Sauerland Event stable mate, Germany’s Marco “Kapt’n†Huck, the other cruiserweight with a serious number-one claim.
Ross, a former two-time Olympian who has only had the one loss in his nine year professional career, against Willie Herring back in ‘05, is a dangerous southpaw with a knockout reputation, having stopped sixteen of his twenty four opponents. Ross also won the Cruiserweight Contender TV show, but in all honesty has yet to prove himself against world class opposition.
Time after time Cunningham has proved himself on the World stage, having fought and beaten championship fighters such as Huck, Wayne “Big Truck†Braithwaite, Kevin “Koncrete†Davis and Krzystof “Diablo†Wlodaczyk, and as such is clearly the bookies favourite going into this momentous fight.
Ross supporters vigorously argue Cunningham’s favourite status by pointing to his only having fought twice in the past seventeen months, losing to Adamek in December ‘08 and beating Braithwaite in July ‘09, whereas their man has fought no less than six times, in the same period, with four being huge stoppage wins.
A fair point maybe, but his fans need to remember that Cunningham is tall, stylish, and savvy. At 6’3†with an 82†reach, he will have a 9†reach and a 4†height advantage. Whilst not seen as a knockout artist he can hit with power, just ask Huck.
They should also remember that he is used to fighting overseas, having achieved much of his championship success in Europe. More importantly he is now prepared for his fights by none other than master tactician and ‘Trainer of the Year’ Naazim Richardson.
Steve ‘USS’ Cunningham versus Troy ‘The Boss’ Ross for the vacant International Boxing Federation Cruiserweight World Title will take place at the Jahnsportforum in Neubrandenburg, Germany on Saturday the 5th June 2010.
The co-featured main event, to Cunningham-Ross, will see IBF Middleweight Champion Sebastian Sylvester defend his title against mandatory challenger Roman Karmazin.