Former Cruiserweight Champion of the World Steve ‘USS’ Cunningham announced today that he has signed a promotional contract with German promoters SAUERLAND EVENT. On making the announcement ‘USS’ Cunningham, whose eight year promotional contract with Don King Promotions came to an end on March 28th, said, “I’m excited about this new chapter, I made the decision to go where I can continue to fight in my weightclass and make a good living at the same time. Cruiserweight is a respected division in Europe and everyone knows I’m a road warrior already, so I’ll be fighting overseas more now. I don’t mind at all and I’m looking forward to it, Germany has great boxing fans”
‘USS’ Cunningham, who has made no secret that he loves fighting in Europe following his successes there, continued saying, “When I fought Huck back in 2007, Sauerland promoted the fight, and they treated me very well, it was a great experience, they were first class all around. I’m looking forward to increasing my activity in the ring, I feel I am in my prime and I am ready to show the world what I am capable of..”
It was Europe where ‘USS’ Cunningham enjoyed his championship successes. Three years ago, on the 26th May ‘07, ‘USS’ Cunningham sailed in Katowice, Poland to battle with then IBF Cruiserweight Champion Krysztof ‘Diablo’ Wlodarczyk for the second time. After twelve hard fought rounds ‘USS’ Cunningham was declared Champion.
For his first defense, on the 29th December ‘07, ‘USS’ Cunningham again sailed across the Atlantic, this time to Bielefeld in Germany, to face Marco ‘Kapt’n’ Huck. A scintillating battle of epic proportions, between the two best Cruiserweights in the World, ensued. With just one minute and four seconds of the final round remaining ‘Kapt’n’ Huck’s challenge came to an end after Huck’s corner threw in the towel to save their man, who was reeling and defenseless following a storming final assault that saw ‘USS’ Cunningham chasing Huck across the ring whilst letting rip with a salvo of remarkably accurate overhand rights.
Just over one year later, on the 11th December ‘08 ‘USS’ Cunningham’s reign as Cruiserweight King came to an end after losing a close split decision to Tomasz ‘Goral’ Adamek following their ‘Fight of the Year’ nominated battle at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.
In his only fight since losing to Adamek, ‘USS’ Cunningham defeated former WBC Cruiserweight Champion Wayne ‘Big Truck’ Braithwaite in the IBF final eliminator.
Following Adamek’s decision to move to the Heavyweight division ‘USS’ Cunningham was due to fight for the vacated IBF title on the 26th March this year, but this was called off following Godfrey decision to withdraw.
‘USS’ Cunningham’s next opponent, for the vacant IBF World Cruiserweight title, will be Canada’s Troy Ross. The date and venue for this highly anticipated match is expected to be announced shortly.
Steve Cunningham joins Team Sauerland
Team Sauerland is delighted to announce is has signed a long-term promotional contract with Steve “USS” Cunningham. The former IBF Cruiserweight Champion (22-2, 11 KOs), who in December 2007 defeated Marco “Captain” Huck in Germany, is thrilled to join the winning team. “I am very excited about beginning the next chapter in my boxing career by signing with Sauerland Event,” he said. “I believe this is a bold but smart move especially because of my weight class. Sauerland is a major player worldwide and I can see how well they support their fighters. I’m happy to be a part of Team Sauerland and look forward to spending more time in Germany, a beautiful country with great boxing fans.”
Kalle Sauerland is proud to add “one of the world´s best fighters” to an impressive cruiserweight line-up that already features the likes of WBO Champion Huck (29-1, 22 KOs), IBF Intercontinental Champion Yoan Pablo Hernandez (21-1, 11 KOs) and unbeaten sensation Alexander Frenkel (22-0, 17 KOs). “Steve is a hell of a fighter and we are thrilled to welcome him to the Sauerland family,” Kalle Sauerland said. “He is a true champion inside and outside the ring. We saw what he did to Marco Huck when he fought in Germany and we very much look forward to guiding him back to the top.”
Cunningham is slated to face Troy Ross (23-1, 16 KOs) for the vacant IBF Cruiserweight Title.