Boxing News Boxing News
Photo ©Gianluca “Rio” Di Caro
With details of his mandatory defense of the IBF Cruiserweight crown announced last week, Philadelphia’s own Steve ‘USS’ Cunningham came face to face with his Polish born opponent, Tomasz ‘Polish Warrior’ Adamek, for the first time at the annual Pulaski Day parade in New York City.
Cunningham, 21-1 (11), an all-American boy, started boxing in the mid-1990’s whilst serving in the US Navy aboard the USS America and USS Enterprise as an aircraft refueler, will sail into battle with the former WBC Light Heavyweight world champion, Adamek, 35-1 (24), at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey on Thursday, December 11, 2008
Cunningham, warmly welcomed by the New York Polish community, was clearly enjoying his day in the Big Apple.
“It ‘s a unique experience, not something you get to do that often, you know, being an American fighter on the Pulaski Day parade,” said Cunningham. “It’s pretty awesome. It’s only right that I be here as I’m a recognised face to the Polish community, even have a few Polish fans, not as many as i’d like to have, but then again, I do keep fighting their guys.
“From fighting over in Poland a couple of times, I’ve grown to really respect the Polish fans, they’re so passionate. Regardless whether they’re cheering for me or against me, I can’t help but like them. It was fun and a real honour be here today”
‘USS’ Cunningham will be making the second defense of the IBF 200 pound title, which he won by defeating Krzystztof Wlodarczyk in Poland on May 26, 2007.
For the first defense of his crown, ‘USS’ Cunningham steamed into Germany where he defeated the bookie’s favourite, Marco Huck, with a twelfth round technical knockout following the slickest display of boxing seen anywhere last year.
His opponent, Adamek, won the WBC Light Heavyweight title in 2005 by beating Australian, Paul ‘Hurricane’ Briggs, in a bruising twelve round battle. Adamek held the title until February 2007 when New Haven, Connecticut’s ‘Bad’ Chad Dawson beat him by a narrow points decision.
The IBF Cruiserweight Championship title fight between Champion Steve ‘USS’ Cunningham and challenger Tomasz
‘Polish Warrior’ Adamek, co-promoted by Main Events and Don King Productions, will take place at The Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey on Thursday December 11, 2008.
Tickets priced at $303, $153, $78, $53, $38 are on sale now and can be purchased at The Prudential Center box office or by calling TicketMaster on 201-507-8900.
