Steve Cunningham moving up to heavyweight, signs with Main Events; WBC News – Aydin vs. Guerrero

TOTOWA, NJ – Main Events announced today they have officially signed an exclusive promotional contract with Steve “USS” Cunningham. Cunningham who has campaigned most of his professional career as a cruiserweight has decided to move up to the heavyweight division.

Cunningham, 24-4, 12 KO’s, believes Main Events is the perfect counterpart to successfully guide his career, “I am very excited about this new chapter and signing with Main Events. I’m looking forward to working closely with them as we plan my entry into the heavyweight division.” The Philadelphia native added, “It is going to be a welcome change to be fighting close to home again.”

Cunningham, a former Cruiserweight World Champion, explained his decision to step up to the heavyweight division, “Moving to heavyweight has always been a move I knew I would make at some point. After my last fight we sat down and looked at our options: It was either continue at Cruiserweight and go for another world title, but I felt like ‘what’s the point?’ I have been there and done that twice; or I could finally make the move to heavyweight. This felt like the right thing to do.”

Main Events has a successful history of transforming cruiserweights into heavyweight powerhouses, including former Undisputed Heavyweight World Champion Evander Holyfield and top rated Tomasz Adamek.

“Steve Cunningham’s decision to move up to boxing’s top division will make the US heavyweight scene that much more lively and interesting,” said promoter Kathy Duva of Main Events. “At 6’3″ Steve certainly has the frame to carry more weight and gain strength. We look forward to watching Steve test his skills against the best the division has to offer and expect fireworks!”

WBC News: Aydin vs. Guerrero

WORLD BOXING COUNCIL NEWS

July 25, 2012 – Mexico City.

From the office of WBC President Dr. José Sulaimán:

WBC STATISTICS

WBC Interim Welterweight World Championship

San Jose, California – HP Pavilion

July 28, 2012

This will be the 1,787th fight sanctioned by the WBC in its 49-year history.

GOLDEN BOY PROMOTIONS & ARENA SPORTS-PROMOTION PRESENT:

SELÇUK AYDIN (TURKEY)

Ranked WBC No. 1 at welterweight

Age (date of birth): 28 (9-4-83)

Residence: Trabzon, Turkey

Birthplace: Trabzon, Turkey

Record: 23-0, 17 KOs

Height: 5’7”

Stance: Righthanded

Total rounds: 105

Title fights (WBC Silver): 2 (2-0)

Promoter: Ahmet Öner/Arena Sports-Promotion

Manager: Malte Müller-Michaelis

ROBERT “The Ghost” GUERRERO (U.S.)

Ranked WBC No. 4 at welterweight

Age (date of birth): 29 (3-27-83)

Residence: Gilroy, California

Birthplace: Gilroy, California

Record: 29-1-1, 2 ND, 18 KOs

Height: 5’8”

Stance: Lefthanded

Total rounds: 189

Title fights: 5-0, 1 ND

Promoter: Golden Boy Promotions

Manager: Bob Santos

WBC WELTERWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONS

1. Luis Manuel Rodriguez (Cuba) 1963

2. Emile Griffith (Virg. Island) 1963 – 1966

3. Curtis Cokes (US) 1966 – 1969

4. Jose Napoles (Mexico) 1969 – 1970

5. Billy Backus (US) 1970 – 1971

6. Jose Napoles (Mexico) * 1971 – 1975

7. John Stracey (GB) 1975 – 1976

8. Carlos Palomino (Mexico) 1976 – 1979

9. Wilfredo Benitez (P. Rico) 1979

10. Ray Leonard (US) 1979 – 1980

11. Roberto Duran (Panama) 1980

12. Ray Leonard (US) * 1980 – 1983

13. Milton Mccrory (US) 1983 – 1985

14. Donald Curry (US) 1985 – 1986

15. Lloyd Honeyghan (Jamaica) 1986 – 1987

16. Jorge Vaca (Mexico) 1987 – 1988

17. Lloyd Honeyghan (Jamaica) * 1988 – 1989

18. Marlon Starling (US) 1989 – 1990

19. Maurice Blocker (US) 1990 – 1991

20. Simon Brown (Jamaica) 1991

21. James Mcgirt (US) 1991 – 1993

22. Pernell Whitaker (US) 1993 – 1997

23. Oscar de la Hoya (US) 1997 – 1999

24. Felix Trinidad (P. Rico) 1999

25. Oscar de la Hoya (US) * 2000

26. Shane Mosley (US) 2000 – 2002

27. Vernon Forrest (US) 2002 – 2003

28. Ricardo Mayorga (Nicaragua) 2003

29. Cory Spinks (US) 2003 – 2005

30. Zab Judah (US) 2005 – 2006

31. Carlos Baldomir (Argentina) 2006

32. Floyd Mayweather (US) (Emeritus) 2006 – 2007

33. Shane Mosley (US) Interim * 2007

34. Andre Berto (US) 2008 – 2011

35. Victor Ortiz (US) 2011

36. Floyd Mayweather (US) * 2011 –

* Regained

GENERAL INFORMATION ON THE WELTERWEIGHT DIVISION IN THE HISTORY OF THE WBC

30 world champions have been recognized by the WBC, of whom only six have regained the title: Jose Napoles (Cuba-Mex) , Ray Leonard (US) , Lloyd Honeyghan (Jamaica-GB), Oscar De La Hoya (US-Mex), Shane Mosley (US), Floyd Mayweather (US).

123 welterweight world title bouts have been held in the history of the WBC.

93 WBC welterweight title fights have taken place in the United States.

WORLD WELTERWEIGHT TITLE BOUTS BY COUNTRY IN WBC HISTORY

USA 93

Mexico 8

England 8

Turkey 3

Puerto Rico 2

France 2

Canada 2

St. Marteen 1

Spain 1

Monaco 1

Belgium 1

Italy 1

Total: 123

WBC TITLE FIGHTS IN CALIFORNIA STATE IN WBC HISTORY

170 world title fights have been held in California in WBC history.

16 title fights in the welterweight division have taken place in California in the history of the WBC.

FIGHTS BY DIVISION IN CALIFORNIA STATE IN THE WBC HISTORY

Bantam 28

Super bantam 18

Welter 16

Super feather 16

Feather 16

Light 14

Light fly 12

Super light 11

Super welter 10

Super fly 8

Heavy 5

Light heavy 5

Middle 3

Cruiser 2

Fly 2

Super middle 2

Straw 2

Total Fights: 170

WBA Statistics by Luis Medina.