Former IBF Boxing Champ Cunningham Backs Maccarinelli To Win WBO Crown

Former IBF Cruiserweight Champion Steve ‘USS’ Cunningham gives his view on this weekend’s big battle at the MEN Arena in Manchester between Wales’ Enzo ‘Big Mac’ Maccarinelli and American-based Brit Ola ‘Kryptonite’ Afolabi for the interim WBO Title.

World No. 2 ranked cruiserweight Cunningham relishes the thought of No. 5 world ranked ‘Big Mac’ being victorious.

“I’m disappointed that I didn’t get to fight Enzo on the fourteenth,” said Cunningham. “It would have been a great fight. I really want to fight in England, the fans there are awesome, just like the Polish fans, they’re so enthusiastic.

“That aside, this is going to be a real banger of a fight. Afolabi is an underrated talent. I don’t think this will be as easy as Enzo thinks. Word is Ola can really battle, he’s no walk over. No disrespect to Ola, I’m hoping that Enzo wins so he gets a shot at Victor Emilio Ramirez, the current WBO Champ.

“After my fight with Wayne Braithwaite, I’ll get the rematch with Tomasz Adamek. I still know I am the best cruiserweight. My motto is ‘Two Time In ’09’.

“I will get my title back, then I’ll go to unify the belts. I’ll be going after all the champions, I’d like nothing more than the first being against Enzo in England; that’ll be the fight of the century.”

The contracts for the IBF Cruiserweight Title eliminator bout between Cunningham and Braithwaite have been signed and the fight will take place in St Louis, Missouri sometime in the very near future.

The winner earns the right to face current IBF Champion Adamek later in 2009.