BY: Diane Bennett

On December 11 the newly built Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey was christened with a boxing classic. Steve Cunningham put his IBF cruiserweight championship belt on the line against number one challenger Tomasz Adamek. After 12 grueling rounds of amazing action in which both fighters left every single ounce of their energy in the ring it was Adamek prevailing by split decision. However, it was Cunningham who was the aggressor through – out the bout, firing more punches but only to have them absorbed by the   steel chin of Adamek. At points when it appeared that Adamek was wilting to the Cunningham punishment, he would dig deep and find away to land shots of his own, three of those shots landed Cunningham to the canvas. Cunningham immediately got up after each knockdown which occurred in the second, forth and eighth rounds. As Cunningham would say afterwards “All the knockdowns were flash knockdowns to me. I was not really hurt” In the forth round in particular it looked like the champ was going to put Adamek away. Cunningham was demolishing Adamek with an onslaught of blows for the first two minutes or so of the round then with twenty second left Adamek roared backed and nailed Cunningham with a shot sending him to the canvas. The fight had the same theme all the way until the final bell.    

As soon as the final bell sounded the first thought that I had was when will the rematch take place. Boxing fans should not have to wait more than the required time for these two cruiserweight gladiators to climb through the ropes and do it again.

Very few survive three knockdowns and are able to finish the bout let alone receive a favorable decision from the judges. In this case many experts believed that Cunningham’ who threw more punches and connected more frequently was deserving of at least a draw. The judges felt differently with only one of the three giving the nod to Cunningham. Judge Clark Sammartino scored the bout 114 – 112 for Cunningham, while John Stewart had it 116 -110 and Shafeeq Rashada 115-112 for Adamek.

As the dust settled and the massive amount of Polish fans that were in attendance to cheer on their new champion emptied the Rock, both fighters were greeting the press in the post fight conference room. This post fight conference had a tune to it, even before Cunningham who was first to speak could utter a word the hundred or so media in attendance shouted REMATCH, REMATCH. That remained the constant during the conference and Cunningham without hesitation stated that is exactly what he wants. On the other hand Adamek was non comitial.

A week has gone by now and all the reports have been printed, each boxing expert had the fight scored within one point either way and all agreed that an immediate rematch needs to happen. Many went further to say that this was the fight of the year. One thing is for sure USS Cunningham already has the gloves laced and is ready to go. Now it’s up to Adamek and the powers to be to give the fans what they want to see now Cunningham – Adamek II.

BOXING NEWS www.diamondboxing.com

 

Photo Credit - Gianluca (Rio) Di Caro

IBF CRUISERWEIGHT CHAMPION STEVE CUNNINGHAM IS READY FOR ADAMEK, DECEMBER 11 AT NEWARK’S PRUDENTIAL CENTER

Diamond Boxings Dr. Baio Goes One on One With IBF Champion Steve Cunningham Ahead of His Fight With Tomasz Adamek.

Latest Boxing News - It was a cold, dark, and damp November day. I was drove down I-95 from NYC to Philly, fighting the elements, to meet up with IBF Cruiser weight champion Steve “USS” Cunningham. I thought it a little ironic that I was driving down from Brooklyn, NY to meet up with Steve at Shuler’s gym on Brooklyn St. in Philly. The street was quiet, with not a soul to be seen. I was the first on the seen as the gym opened. I walked up a dimly lit stairway to get to the second floor of the building, into the gym. Once inside, I found a cozy little gym with all the basics. Nothing fancy, but just what a boxer need to train and get into a boxing state of mind. As I waited for Steve and his Trainer Anthony Chase I decided to take it all in and chat with a few regulars. I found the members and trainers were very friendly. They readily traded advice with each other on techniques. In the middle of my conversations with the member I see two heavy weight sized men come into the gym. Once a few layers of warm cloths were removed it was easy to recognize the IBF cruiserweight champ and his trainer Chase. As Steve prepared for his training session, we took a few minutes and spoke about his up coming fight with Tomasz Adamek and his training.

Cunningham with Don King and Adamek at Newark Press Conf.(Above)

Dr. Baio: “Steve, why do you find yourself sparing with heavyweight sparing partners in preparation for Adamek?”

Steve: “They push me, there fast. Eddy Chambers he’s faster them most super middleweights. Chazz Witherspoon, that dude’s got pressure, he throws a lot of punches, and he’s smart. And their size makes me work. These guys have the speed and the size.”

Dr. Baio: “What strategies are you using to get ready for this fight? What are you using to prepare?”

Steve: “Intensity every were! We like to move. We can fight on the inside. We’re getting prepared in every area. You know, Tomasz, a lot of people call him a brawler. He’s not really a brawler, only if you let him be.”

Dr. Baio: “How’s your weight coming along?”

Steve: “Weight is always good. I walk around in my weight. This is my weight. This is my job. I’m in the gym every day running, sprinting, and swimming. After a fight I’m less then 10 days out of the gym. I don’t like getting out of shape. I love pushing myself to the next level. Like the Navy says “Full steam ahead.”

Dr. Baio: “Have you watched the Dawson versus Adamek fight?”

Steve: “Dawson gave him a boxing lesson. If we could imitate that, that would be great, but I’m a total different fighter. I’ll be bigger than and just as strong as Tomasz. I’ll use the Dawson fight as a blue print. I’ve also looked at Tomasz’s other fights.”

Dr. Baio: “What about training?”

Steve: “I’ve been ready since July. I’ve been training with Chris Byrd. Eddy Chambers, Chazz, a few other guys. I’m in the gym all the time. They think this time off I’ve had is going to hurt me. It actually helped me. We’re rested, and ready to roll.”

 

Steve “USS” Cunningham with soldiers and IBF Championship Belts (above)

I also spoke to Steve about his training and diet. I found out he likes to break up his weekly running program with swimming. This is very important. Constant running can put unneeded stress on your joints. Breaking up the routine with swimming or even cycling and rowing can decrease, if not eliminate some of that stress. Plus, swimming is great for arm strength and breathing control.

Steve believes boxers should have a well rounded weight training routine. A mix of light and heavy days, using everything from weights to stability balls and therabands.   He’ll do a daily circuit with 2 minutes of each exercise. Working a whole body each day.

When it comes to boxing technique each week brings something different. A constant mixing of heavy bag, speed bag, pad work and sparing. Sparing is usually toned down as the fight nears and bag work is changed from day to day.

 As for supplements, Steve keeps it simple. He’ll take a multivitamin and, Cod liver oil every day. With the cold weather coming he likes to add more supplements to bust the immune system. Only when he is training for strength will he use creatine and glutamine, but only enough to speed recovery. He gets all of his other nutrition from straight food sources. His wife helps by cooking nutritious meals and making some vitamin packed fruit drink using a juicer. Steve keeps the same basic diet year round. No simple sugar in this champs diet.

Latest Boxing News www.diamondboxing.com

Dr. Pietro Baio
Performance Edge Chiropractic, P.C.
7315 Ave U
Brooklyn, NY 11234
(917)-309-5464
PBaio_DC@yahoo.com
myspace.com/performanceedgechiro

Jamaal Davis addresses the fans about Cancer Awareness

Boxing fans this is a one and only chance for you to support Cancer Awareness and win an autographed T-Shirt signed by many of the great boxers featured and in attendance at the Shamrocks and Dreams Event in Philly on October 4, 2008. The shirt has been signed in person by Hall of Famer Jeff Chandler, Former Heavyweight Champ Tim Witherspoon and his son Tim Witherspoon Jr. (who just got his first victory), IBF Cruiserweight Champion Steve Cunningham, Former World Junior Middleweight Champion Kassim ‘The Dream’ Ouma, Current NABA Light Heavyweight Champ Yusaf Mack, Irish Boxing Up and Coming Stars Paul Hyland, Simon ‘Slick Fighting Irish’ O’Donnell, Patrick Hyland.

Jamaal Davis with the autographed shirt being auctioned for Cancer Awareness

This pink cancer support t-shirt has a special meaning and it’s a symbol of the Courageous efforts of Philadelphia Boxer Jamaal Davis, who is doing what ever it takes to highlight the importance of cancer awareness, Davis is a young middleweight from Philadelphia who lost his wife Patrilla, who passed away at the age of 25 last December after battling breast cancer for years. Davis who was decked out in pink for Cancer Awareness Month, fought a four round bout on the October 4^th Shamrocks and Dreams Event in honor and memory of his wife. Davis and his kind hearted trainer Sharron Baker have also autographed this shirt. All proceeds from this auction will be donated to The American Cancer Society in memory of Patrilla Davis.

Adamek and Cunningham set to battle for the belt on December 11th

Steve Cunningham current IBF Cruiserweight Champ who is preparing for his December 11^th title defense against Tomasz ‘Polish Warrior’ Adamek at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. Is also contributing to this great cause and supporting Davis his gym mate by giving the winner of this auction a chance to meet him and watch one of his training sessions at The James Shuler Memorial Gym.

 

Steve Cunningham with IBF Championship Belt at Shulers Gym 

Champion Steve Cunningham will also sign a pair of boxing gloves for the winning bidder.

Please help KO Cancer by bidding on this awesome boxing package all proceeds (100%) from this auction will be donated to The American Cancer Society. Winning bidder has the option to make a check payable to the American Cancer Society for the total of the winning bid.

 

Sharron Baker (left) and Jamaal Davis (center) surrounded by family

Steve Cunningham and the winning bidder must agree on a mutual time for the meet and greet.

EBAY Auction Link

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220293483907

For more on the October 4^th Shamrocks and Dreams Boxing Event and Jamaal Davis http://www.diamondboxing.com/newsstory.php?list=4119

For more on Steve Cunningham

http://www.usscunningham.com/

For more on American Cancer Society http://www.cancer.org/docroot/home/index.asp

For more on Diamond Boxing  http://www.diamondboxing.com/