NEWARK, N.J.—International Boxing Federation cruiserweight champion Steve “USS” Cunningham (21-1, 11 KOs) will meet Polish-born former world champion Tomasz Adamek (35-1, 24 KOs) at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. on Thursday, Dec. 11. Tickets priced at $303, $153, $78, $53, $38 go on sale on Monday at 11 a.m. and can be purchased by calling TicketMaster at 201-507-8900..
The event, with full undercard, is being co-promoted by Main Events and Don King Productions.
A classic boxer-puncher, Cunningham will be making the second defense of his IBF 200-pound limit crown, which he won by defeating Krzystztof Wlodarczyk in Poland on May 26, 2007. Six months earlier, Cunningham suffered the sole loss of his career in a controversial split decision won by Wlodarczyk when the two squared off for the vacant IBF championship.
Cunningham also scored notable wins against former IBF cruiserweight champion Kelvin “Koncrete” Davis and Panamanian strongman Guillermo Jones, who recently took the World Boxing Association cruiserweight championship from Firat Arslan on Sept. 27.
Adamek burst upon the boxing scene in his first fight in America against Australian Paul “Hurricane” Briggs for the vacant World Boxing Council light heavyweight championship at the United Center in Chicago on May 21, 2005. Their 12-round slugfest, which Adamek won by majority decision, was one of the better fights of that year.
The inevitable rematch came the following year and rivaled the first match in its brutal intensity. Again, Adamek won by majority decision.
Adamek’s lone loss came against undefeated “Bad” Chad Dawson in Kissimmee, Fla., on Feb. 3, 2007. The slick Dawson built a scorecard lead that Adamek came close to erasing when he landed his vaunted right-hand power shot and sent Dawson to the canvas in the 10th round. Dawson literally held on to Adamek to narrowly escape the round and survived to win the match by decision.
Adamek catapulted himself into position to face Cunningham by scoring an eighth round technical knockout on April 19 over O’Neil “Supernova” Bell, who in 2006 became the first undisputed cruiserweight world champion since Evander “The Real Deal” Holyfield held that distinction in 1988.
WBA RULE IN FAVOR OF CHRIS JOHN
The WBA have heard both sides of the John v Asiku controversy presented to them with Allen Kim representing Soeryo Goeritno and Sampson Lewkowicz representing Chris John.
Allen Kim presented a 50 page statement on behalf of Soeryo Goeritno and Torino Tidar of Indonesia which was completely dismissed with 2 simple questions asked by Sampson Lewkowicz directed to Allen Kim,
Question 1:
“Was Soeryo Goeritno a bonafide promoter with the WBA?
Answer NO
Question 2:
“Was 50% of the purse paid to the fighters, 7 days prior to the fight?
(As stated in the terms of the Contract)
Answer NO
Therefore the contract was broken by Soeryo Goeritno and made null and void. The bout was officially called off on the Tuesday the 22nd of July and any negotiations beyond that point were not approved by the WBA. Allen Kim was also told that Torino Tidar has no official place within the WBA and that Allen Kim was taking advice from the wrong people concerning the fight. Team John has done nothing wrong and they have simply followed the terms and conditions of Fight contracts as agreed to by both parties.
This comes as good news for Chris John who earlier today by phone conversation said “I’m glad it’s over, I just want to defend my title and represent the WBA and Indonesia with the same honor as I always do. I can’t understand why my own countrymen would try and take my title, I would like to thank the WBA for never doubting my integrity and also for my fans for sticking by me and hopefully I can still fight in Indonesia.
Velasquez Twins Carlos and Juan return to the ring October 10 2008 in Arizona
Puerto Rico’s hard hitting twin dynamos, Carlos (9-0, 8 KO’s) and Juan Velasquez (9-0, 5 KO’s), are set to return to the ring on October 10, 2008 when they face opponents later to be announced at the Desert Diamond Casino in Tucson, Arizona, televised live on Telefutura.
Last month on the Casamayor vs Marquez undercard, Carlos looked sensational, dominating Jose Navarrete, stopping him by a fifth round TKO. When asked about his upcoming fight Carlos mentioned, “I’m ready for the next level. My team and I are happy with the way things are going for both my brother and I. I come to entertain the fans so you’ll see me come for the knockout, that’s what I like to do.” Carlos, who fights at featherweight, will strive to stay undefeated and move on to 10-0.
Twin Brother, Juan Veleasquez, boast a (9-0, 5 KO’s) record and is known for his lighting fast hands. Juan is coming off an impressive second round TKO in which he demolished Edison Morillo at the 1:44 mark of the second round. “I’ve learned a lot in every fight so I feel my knowledge in the ring is improving.” said Juan, “I’m becoming a smarter fighter. I cans see all the punches coming at me better. I love to box and use my speed to set up my punches. If the knockout is there I’ll take my opponent out.”
For more information on the Velasquez Twins and this entire card please visit www.goldenboypromotions.com or www.shellyfinkel.com.