Steve Cunningham
Steven Ormain Cunningham (born July 15, 1976) is an American professional boxer who held the IBF cruiserweight title twice between 2007 and 2011. His nickname, "USS", is a reference to his US Navy service on the aircraft carriers USS America and USS Enterprise between 1994 and 1998.[1]
Steve Cunningham | |
---|---|
Statistics | |
Real name | Steven Ormain Cunningham |
Nickname(s) | USS |
Weight(s) | |
Height | 6 ft 3 in (191 cm) |
Reach | 82 in (208 cm) |
Nationality | American |
Born | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | July 15, 1976
Stance | Orthodox |
Boxing record | |
Total fights | 39 |
Wins | 29 |
Wins by KO | 13 |
Losses | 9 |
Draws | 1 |
Early years and amateur career
A native of Philadelphia, one of the most boxing-rich cities in North America, Cunningham began adding to his hometown's legacy in the sport after joining the US Navy. He gained a reputation as a tough fighter on the streets of Philly, but he began his amateur career while based at Norfolk Naval Station in Virginia. Cunningham served in the Navy from 1994–98, serving on the aircraft carriers USS America and USS Enterprise.[2]
Cunningham started boxing at the age of 19, and won the National Golden Gloves 178 lb (81 kg) title in 1998 as an amateur.
Professional career
Cunningham began his professional career in 2000 with a 19 fight winning streak including a split decision over Guillermo Jones.
On November 26, 2006, he challenged Krzysztof Włodarczyk for the Vacant IBF Cruiserweight Title but lost by a disputed split decision in front of Wlodarczyk's fans in Warsaw, Mazowieckie, Poland. Later, Cunningham challenged Wlodarczyk again in the summer of 2007. With a majority decision in his favor, Cunningham at last won the title. He stopped undefeated Marco Huck in Germany in December 2007.
Cunningham lost the IBF title against Tomasz Adamek in Newark, New Jersey, on December 11, 2008. He lost the fight via split decision. One judge scored the fight 114–112 for Cunningham, while the other two judges scored it 116–110 and 115–112 for Adamek. Fight was close despite of the fact that Cunningham was knocked down in the second, fourth, and eighth rounds.
Cunningham faced former WBC Cruiserweight Champion Wayne Braithwaite, at the BankAtlantic Center, Sunrise, Florida on the July 11, 2009, and won the fight via a twelve-round unanimous decision 119–109, 117–111, and 118–110. On June 5, 2010, Cunningham regained the IBF Cruiserweight title with a fifth round stoppage on cuts of Troy Ross in Germany. Cunningham returned to Germany to defend his IBF title against challenger Enad Licina on February 12, 2011.
Cunningham was knocked out in the seventh round by Tyson Fury, a British boxer, in an IBF heavyweight title eliminator on April 20, 2013. Cunningham had the much bigger Fury down in the second round.[3] In an interview with Joe Rogan, Fury claimed Cunningham was the toughest opponent of his career.
After being promoted by Kathy Duva and Main Events for several years, he is now advised by Al Haymon.[4] Cunningham is trained by Naazim Richardson.
Outside of boxing
He joined light-middleweight Boyd Melson, Shawn Estrada, Demetrius Andrade and other boxers in Team Fight to Walk, an organization focused on increasing awareness in boxing of the importance of stem cell research for spinal cord injuries.[5]
Professional boxing record
39 fights | 29 wins | 9 losses |
By knockout | 13 | 1 |
By decision | 16 | 8 |
Draws | 1 |
No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
39 | Loss | 29–9–1 | UD | 10 | Aug 26, 2017 | For NABF cruiserweight title | ||
38 | Win | 29–8–1 | UD | 6 | Mar 17, 2017 | |||
37 | Loss | 28–8–1 | UD | 12 | Apr 16, 2016 | For WBO cruiserweight title | ||
36 | Draw | 28–7–1 | SD | 12 | Aug 14, 2015 | |||
35 | Loss | 28–7 | UD | 12 | Mar 14, 2015 | Lost USBA heavyweight title | ||
34 | Win | 28–6 | RTD | 7 (10), 3:00 | Oct 18, 2014 | |||
33 | Win | 27–6 | UD | 10 | Apr 4, 2014 | Won USBA heavyweight title | ||
32 | Win | 26–6 | UD | 8 | Dec 14, 2013 | |||
31 | Loss | 25–6 | KO | 7 (12), 2:55 | Apr 20, 2013 | |||
30 | Loss | 25–5 | SD | 12 | Dec 22, 2012 | For IBF North American heavyweight title | ||
29 | Win | 25–4 | UD | 10 | Sep 8, 2012 | |||
28 | Loss | 24–4 | UD | 12 | Feb 4, 2012 | For IBF cruiserweight title | ||
27 | Loss | 24–3 | TD | 6 (12), 3:00 | Oct 1, 2011 | Lost IBF cruiserweight title; Split TD after Hernández was cut from an accidental head clash | ||
26 | Win | 24–2 | UD | 12 | Feb 12, 2011 | Retained IBF cruiserweight title | ||
25 | Win | 23–2 | TKO | 5 (12), 0:01 | Jun 5, 2010 | Won vacant IBF cruiserweight title | ||
24 | Win | 22–2 | UD | 12 | Jul 11, 2009 | |||
23 | Loss | 21–2 | SD | 12 | Dec 11, 2008 | Lost IBF cruiserweight title | ||
22 | Win | 21–1 | TKO | 12 (12), 1:56 | Dec 29, 2007 | Retained IBF cruiserweight title | ||
21 | Win | 20–1 | MD | 12 | May 26, 2007 | Won IBF cruiserweight title | ||
20 | Loss | 19–1 | SD | 12 | Nov 25, 2006 | For vacant IBF cruiserweight title | ||
19 | Win | 19–0 | TKO | 5 (10), 1:10 | Jan 7, 2006 | |||
18 | Win | 18–0 | UD | 12 | Sep 3, 2005 | |||
17 | Win | 17–0 | SD | 10 | Apr 2, 2005 | |||
16 | Win | 16–0 | TKO | 4 (8), 0:53 | Oct 2, 2004 | |||
15 | Win | 15–0 | MD | 10 | May 22, 2004 | |||
14 | Win | 14–0 | UD | 8 | Sep 20, 2003 | |||
13 | Win | 13–0 | UD | 8 | Mar 29, 2003 | |||
12 | Win | 12–0 | UD | 8 | Jul 27, 2002 | |||
11 | Win | 11–0 | PTS | 4 | Sep 29, 2001 | |||
10 | Win | 10–0 | TKO | 3 | Aug 30, 2001 | |||
9 | Win | 9–0 | TKO | 6 | Jul 26, 2001 | |||
8 | Win | 8–0 | KO | 1 | Jun 28, 2001 | |||
7 | Win | 7–0 | TKO | 6 | May 24, 2001 | |||
6 | Win | 6–0 | KO | 1 | May 12, 2001 | |||
5 | Win | 5–0 | TKO | 1 | Apr 28, 2001 | |||
4 | Win | 4–0 | KO | 1 | Apr 12, 2001 | |||
3 | Win | 3–0 | KO | 1 | Mar 10, 2001 | |||
2 | Win | 2–0 | PTS | 4 | Feb 17, 2001 | |||
1 | Win | 1–0 | SD | 4 | Oct 28, 2000 |
References
- Mladinich, Robert (December 28, 2007) Steve Cunningham Confident In Germany. The Sweet Science
- "Steve Cunningham - Next Fight, Fighter Bio, Stats & News".
- Press Association (April 21, 2012). "Tyson Fury recovers from knockdown to defeat Steve Cunningham". The Observer.
- McNeil, Franklin (April 21, 2015). "Philly's Steve 'USS' Cunningham signs with Haymon". Philly Voice.
- "Boxers from Army's World Class Athlete Program to Support Melson!". Boxingnews24.com. July 17, 2011. Retrieved August 9, 2011.
External links
Sporting positions | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Amateur boxing titles | ||||
Previous: BJ Flores |
U.S. Golden Gloves light heavyweight champion 1998 |
Next: Michael Simms | ||
Regional boxing titles | ||||
Preceded by Amir Mansour |
USBA heavyweight champion April 4, 2014 – March 14, 2015 |
Succeeded by Vyacheslav Glazkov | ||
World boxing titles | ||||
Preceded by Krzysztof Włodarczyk |
IBF cruiserweight champion May 26, 2007 – December 11, 2008 |
Succeeded by Tomasz Adamek | ||
Vacant Title last held by Tomasz Adamek |
IBF cruiserweight champion June 5, 2010 – October 1, 2011 |
Succeeded by Yoan Pablo Hernández |