Steve Cunningham Returns with Serious Intentions

When Steve ‘U.S.S.’ Cunningham stepped into the ring against Tomasz Adamek in December of last year, very few could have imagined the drama that the two men would produce. In a bout many claimed as ‘Fight of the Year’ worthy, Cunningham and Adamek engaged in a furious give and take battle that saw Cunningham hit the deck three times, only to rise each time and come back fighting harder. Adamek would go on to seize the IBF Cruiserweight belt by scores of 116-110, 115-112, and 114-112 but nobody could question Cunningham’s will or desire afterwards.

After such a hard fought battle and having tasted the bitterness of defeat, it would be acceptable for Cunningham to have taken a little time off to regroup and that is exactly what he did. In that time Cunningham was able to assess his fight with Adamek, all of the positives and negatives of it, but now it is time for his return.

This coming Saturday, July 11th the former champion will step back into the ring when he meets former WBC Cruiserweight titlist Wayne ‘Big Truck’ Braithwaite at the Bank Atlantic Center in Sunrise, Florida. It is far from an easy touch for Cunningham, as Braithwaite was once regarded as the kingpin of the division due to his offensive arsenal and great length. An April 2005 loss to Jean Marc Mormeck would derail the Guyana slugger and he has never seemed to be the same fighter since the loss, having suffered losses to Guillermo Jones and Enzo Maccarenelli afterwards. Still, Braithwaite is perhaps rejuvenated after coming off of a victory over previously undefeated Yoan Pablo Hernandez and he presents a definite challenge to Cunningham.
 
During the final press conference on Thursday afternoon at the Bank Atlantic Center, Cunningham waited patiently on the dais for his turn to speak. When it came time for the Philadelphia native’s turn to open up, he was far from shy.
“I’m been waiting to get back into the ring for a long time,” Cunningham chimed. “People all saw my fight with Adamek and they can see the type of fighter I am. I’m still determined to show that I am the best Cruiserweight in the world and it all takes place Saturday night.”