Boxing Update: Cunningham Rooting For Adamek In Banks Clash

When Jersey City’s Polish ex-pat Tomasz ‘Goral’ Adamek defends his IBF Cruiserweight title on February 27, 2009, against Detroit’s Johnathon Banks at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey he will have an unexpected supporter cheering him on ringside, former cruiserweight king, Steve ‘USS’ Cunningham.

On December 11, former light heavyweight champion Adamek secured the IBF and Ring Magazine cruiserweight world titles in a close split-decision win over Cunningham, the holder of those titles.

Cunningham, who later this year is to face former WBC title holder, Wayne ‘Big Truck’ Braithwaite, in an IBF title eliminator, explained his reasons for supporting his old foe and gave his thoughts on the upcoming Adamek-Banks battle. “I’m looking forward to watching this, itt should be a good fight,” he said.

“Their styles call for action. Johnathon seems like he can crack. He can take them as well as throw them. And Adamek, is tough, he’s a good solid, fighter.

“The fight could go either way. I know I want the winner of the fight! I’ll be rooting for Tomasz. Yeah, I’d want to fight Johnathon if he wins. But I really want the rematch, I want my title back and I want to take it back from Tomasz.

“I believe I am the best cruiserweight in the world. I know the fans saw that in my last fight. I don’t consider that a loss. I feel like I won the fight, but lost the decision. My new motto is ‘Two Time in ’09’, so I am looking forward to the 27th, just as much as they are.”

Tomasz Adamek vs. Johnathon Banks for the IBF Cruiserweight Championship takes place on Friday, February 27 2009 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.

A total of eight undefeated fighters will risk their unblemished records on the magnificent eight-bout undercard that supports the “big boys”.

The co-feature event will see Giovanni Lorenzo of the Dominican Republic and NYC, 26-1 (18), lock horns with Colombia’s Dionisio Miranda, also of Miami, 19-3-2 (17), in a twelve round IBF eliminator for the #1 position in the middleweight division.

Paterson, NJ welterweight Henry Crawford, 20-0-1 (9), faces Keenan Collins, 12-4-2 (8), of Reading, PA. in an eight round bout.

Preceding that will be Newark’s popular former Olympian, Jerson Ravelo, 19-3 (12), against Don Mouton, 7-3-1 (6), of Houston, TX in an eight round super middleweight match.

No less than six fighters with unblemished records are featured in four six-round fights. Super middleweight Patrick Majewski of Atlantic City puts his 9-0, 6 KO record on the line against Philadelphia’s undefeated Latif Mundy (8-0, 3 KO’s). Unbeaten Anthony Flores of Philadelphia (6-0, 4 KO’s) faces Super Featherweight Ikem Orji (4-0, 1 KO) and Philadelphia’s own Chucky Tschorniawsky, (25-9-1, 14 KO’s) will be up against unbeaten welterweight Jesse Lubash, (9-0, 5 KO’s) of Pittsburgh, PA.

The opening fight of the night will see Paterson, NJ’s two time National Golden Gloves Champion, Jeremy Bryan, currently unbeaten since joining the pro ranks, put his immaculate 8-0, 4 KO record on the line against Mexico’s Francisco Rios Gil (13-9, 9 KO’s) in a Junior Welterweight match-up.

Tickets are on sale now and priced at $38, $53, $78, $103 and $253. They can be purchased at Prudential Center Box Office, online at www.prucenter.com or by calling Ticketmaster at 201-507-8900. The first bout will begin at 8:30 p.m. Doors open at 8 p.m. The fight will be televised live on ShoBox: The New Generation on SHOWTIME (11 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast.

This event is promoted by Main Events and Ziggy Promotions, in association with K2 Promotions.

For news on Steve ‘USS’ Cunningham go to www.usscunningham.com