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.