David Haye

  Nickname: The Hayemaker
  Rated at: Heavyweight
  Height: 191cm (6ft 3in)
  Reach: 198cm (78in)
  Nationality: English
  Birth Date: 13/10/80 (age 30)
  Birth Place: Bermondsey, UK
  Stance: Orthodox
 

David Haye is the current WBA heavyweight  champion of the world. Born in South London on October 13, 1980, he was boxing for Fitzroy Lodge ABC by the age of 15 and two years later won his first bout for Young England. More recognition came in the shape of internationals, a gold medial in the 1999 Multi-Nations in Liverpool and the 1999 World Championships, in Texas, where he took the silver after losing to eventual winner Michael Simms.

  Another silver at the 2001 World Championships in suggested the professional game was not too far away and at the age of 22, Haye made his pro debut at the York Hall, retiring Tony Booth in two rounds. Young, brash and flash and with fists to back up his bravado, Haye soon swept through a succession of quick wins, including a first-round TKO of Roger Bowden in Miami Beach and another lightning-fast demolition job of Vance Winn in the lavish surroundings of Hugh Hefner's Playboy Mansion!
  In just his eighth fight and with only 15 rounds' experience behind him - but a buzz around him and a bright future ahead of him - Haye was crowned English cruiserweight champion, battering Gary Dowling in 1min 38secs of a fight that introduced 'the Hayemaker' to the world. The experienced Hastings Rasani and 'King' Arthur Williams were both despatched quickly and in the space of 17 months Haye had racked up 10 straight wins - all inside the distance - and was fast becoming one of the most talked-about youngsters in the sport.
  So much so, that soon he was sharing a ring with the wily old campaigner Carl 'The Cat' Thompson, with the IBO title on the line. Haye's youth and power looked likely to prevail in the opening rounds, the Londoner constantly on the attack, clubbing the Mancunian almost at will, and seemingly on his way to making a major statement. Thompson though, had different ideas and his rope-a-dope tactics proved too cute for the cocky youngster who, having punched himself almost to a standstill, saw his foe emerge from his shell to stun him in a sensational fifth-round stoppage. It remains Haye's only defeat to date and a chastening experience that he himself has admitted to learning from.
  It didn't keep Haye quiet for long though and soon enough he was back blasting his way through the cruisers; the tough trio of Gary Delaney, Glen Kelly and Vincenzo Rossitto lasted a total of eight rounds between them. Haye himself made no secret of his desire to box the very best and European champion Alexander Gurov came over to Bracknell in December 2005, but left his belt behind having been floored by that fiersome right after just 45 seconds. Now Haye was big news in the division, his risk-and-reward strategy not only a sign of things to come but also securing a better class of opponent, all keen to silence a mouth that could move as fast as his fists. But Lasse Johansen, Ismail Abdoul and Giacobe Fragomeni were all dealt with - in the end - as his made three successful defences of his European crown.
  It was not the most memorable stage of his career, so in April 2007 Haye typically dipped his toe into the heavyweight waters, at that time devoid of all any serious predators. Poland's Tomasz Bonin had only lost once - to a then rising Audley Harrison - in 38 fights, but was pole-axed in 75 seconds and suddenly there was a new kid on the big boys' block.
  But while the heavyweight division was in a lull, the cruisers were being lit up - and Haye still didn't have a world title. Across the Severn Bridge, Enzo Maccarinelli had two, the Welsh puncher proud owner of the WBO and WBC belts, fresh from out-boxing Wayne Braithwaite. The inevitable calls for a Battle of Britain had begun, but instead of crossing the Severn, Haye headed over the Channel to the suburbs of Paris, where Jean-Marc Mormeck was waiting having been defeated unified champion O'Neil Bell to take the top seat at the cruiserweight table. On paper it was the tallest order Haye had undertaken and in the fourth round that looked to be the case as he lay in the corner, legs juddering and his career in the balance.
  But Haye climbed off the canvas and within three rounds had turned the fight on its head and stopped Mormeck. Trainer Adam Booth would later reveal they had factored in losing the first half of the fight and Haye had even prepared for a dizzying knockdown by being spun round and round in the ring during sparring! Now nothing could stop Haye and Maccarinelli colliding head-on; hard hats and explosives were used as pre-fight props as two big punchers came together, but in the end, the Welshman misfired and was sparked in the second round to leave Haye with three belts and the division in the bag.
  The only way to go was up and a press conference to announce his move back into heavyweight was called, and Monte 'Two Gunz' Barrett was next in the firing line, a respected campaigner in the division. Finally boxing in his own backyard at the 02 Arena Haye's arrival on the heavyweight scene had whipped the crowd into a frenzy and it all proved too much for Barrett, who tumbled into the ring having attempted to vault the top rope.
  It was not long before he was on his backside again, two fourth-round knockdowns ending a frenetic contest and handing Haye the key to the heavyweight division. Naturally, he went straight for the top, wasting no time - and little taste - in calling out the Klitschko brothers. A T-shirt portraying the Londoner holding the severed heads of the Ukrainians not only earned a ticking off from the British Boxing Board of Control and won few favours with Wladimir or Vitali. It did get Haye noticed and although he had to endure fights with both falling through, he soon signed with Sauerland for a crack at the man mountain that was WBA champion Nikolai Valuev.
  Again, Haye had to travel, to Germany where both the Klitschkos are adored and even Valuev, despite his freakish qualities was feted. David though, managed to slay Goliath and in front of the Sky Box Office cameras, he produced a disciplined display that many doubted he could deliver to win a mixed decision - even wobbling the 7ft Russian in Round 11.
  When the scores were confirmed, a boyhood dream had been fulfilled and the Hayemaker was heavyweight champion of the world. The Klitschko's were soon back on the agenda as Haye promised to unify boxing's blue riband division, but public fall-outs have put any fight with Vitali or Waldimir on the back-burner. Instead, durable American and former two-time world champion John Ruiz was in the opposite corner for Haye's first defence of his WBA title and in nine pulsating rounds he became the first man in 52 attempts to stop the Quiet Man - flooring him four times in the process.
  Meanwhile his one-time friend, sparring partner and mentor in the British amateur set-up, Audley Harrison, was busy winning the European title and calling for a shot at Haye's WBA belt. And on November 13, the Best of Enemies will finally be re-united in the ring...

 Sumber : www.skysports.com 

Vitali Vladimirovich Klitschko

Full Name : Vitali Vladimirovich Klitschko
Public :     Vitali Klitschko
Nickname : Dr. Iron Fist
Country : Ukraine 
DOB :     July 19, 1971  (Age 39)
Place :     Belovodsk, Kyrgyzstan
Height : 6' 8"
Weight : 250 lbs.
Sport :     Boxing
Team :     Heavyweight (Unlimited)
Level :     Professional
Status : Superstar
 Vitali Vladimirovich Klitschko was born on July 19, 1971 in Belovodsk, Kyrgyzstan. He is a Ukrainian professional heavyweight boxer and the current WBC heavyweight champion.
Klitschko vacated his WBC belt in 2005 due to retirement but announced his comeback in 2007. The WBC awarded Vitali a chance to regain his WBC belt and on October 11, 2008 in Germany he did so by beating Samuel Peter, when Peter retired on his stool at the end of the eighth round, while being behind 80-72 on the judges' scorecards. He has the highest knockout percentage (92%) of any heavyweight champion in overall fights.
His younger brother, Wladimir Klitschko, is the current IBF and WBO world heavyweight champion. Vitali is the first professional boxing world champion to have achieved a PhD (in sports medicine and philosophy).
Boxing Career
Originally a professional kickboxer, Vitali won the super heavyweight championship at the first World Military Games in Italy in 1995. In that same year, he won the silver medal at the 1995 World Amateur Boxing Championships in Berlin Germany, where he was defeated by Russia's Alexei Lezin in the final. His amateur record was 195-15 with 80 knockouts.
He began his professional boxing career in 1996, winning his first twenty-four fights by either early knockout or technical knockout (TKO). He and Wladimir signed with the German athlete-promotion company Universum. With both brothers holding Ph.D.s and being multilingual, their refined and articulate personalities made for mainstream marketability when they moved to Germany and Universum. In time, they became national celebrities in their adopted home country. In his 25th pro fight, on June 26, 1999, Klitschko won the WBO heavyweight title from Herbie Hide of the United Kingdom by a 2nd round knockout.
He defended the title twice before quitting on his stool, thus losing the title on April 1, 2000 to American Chris Byrd. Complaining of shoulder pain, Vitali and his corner decided to concede after the ninth round. Vitali was ahead on all three judges' scorecards (89-82, and 88-83 twice). The way he ended this match brought criticism from some, however Vitali had torn the rotator cuff in his right shoulder and would be out of the ring for almost 8 months after recovering from surgery.
On June 21, 2003, he fought Lennox Lewis for the WBC heavyweight championship in Los Angeles, California. In the 3rd round, Lewis landed a right hand, cutting Klitschko's left eye and the next two rounds were give and take. Before the 7th round, the ringside doctor inspected the wound and thought it severe enough to threaten eye damage if struck again. The doctor stopped the fight despite Klitschko's pleas to continue. Because Vitali's wound was a result of the punches from Lewis, and not a headbutt, the rules stated that Lewis would win by a technical knockout. Though he had lost, Klitschko gained international respect for fighting so well against the heavyweight champion for 6 rounds. Negotiations for a 6 December rematch began, but Lewis retired before the match could take place.
Around this time, the Klitschko brothers moved from Hamburg, Germany to Los Angeles, California.
In January 2004, they notified Universum that they would not re-sign when their contracts expired in April. Universum sued the brothers, arguing that their recent injuries had triggered a clause binding them beyond April. The suit was resolved in late 2004.
Klitschko earned an 8th-round TKO victory over South African Corrie Sanders on April 24, 2004, to capture the World Boxing Council heavyweight championship which had been vacated by Lewis. Sanders had knocked out (2nd Round TKO) younger brother Wladimir on 8 March 2003. This fight was also for The Ring Magazine belt. Klitschko was rocked early by Sanders, but by using movement and strong punching he broke down Sanders and forced the referee to stop the bout.
Vitali Klitschko's first world title defense was against British boxer Danny Williams. Williams had become suddenly marketable from a KO over Mike Tyson in round 4. Klitschko scored a technical knockout against Williams in 8 rounds on December 11, 2004, while wearing an orange cloth to show support for the Ukrainian presidential opposition movement. Klitschko knocked Williams down in the 1st, 3rd, 7th, and 8th rounds before the fight was stopped. Immediately afterward, Klitschko dedicated his victory to democracy in his native Ukraine, and also to the Ukrainian presidential candidate Viktor Yushchenko, whom he supported in the December 26, 2004, election revote.
On November 9, 2005, Vitali Klitschko announced his retirement from professional boxing and vacated his title. He cited regrets about his suddenly-mounting injuries, a desire to leave the sport while still on top, and political aspirations in his home country of Ukraine. Following his retirement, the WBC conferred "champion emeritus" status on Klitschko, and assured him he would become the mandatory challenger if and when he decided to return. Klitschko retired with a career knockout ratio of 92 percent (34 knockouts in 37 bouts). He has never been knocked down or received a standing count.
He still occasionally calls out Lennox Lewis, who has been retired since early 2004, for a rematch. In the German Bild-Zeitung, he announced on January 24, 2007 his comeback and requested to fight again. But because of a number of health problems, Klitschko backed out from a number of bouts scheduled for him.
The WBC awarded Klitschko a chance to regain his WBC belt and on October 11, 2008 in Germany, which he took advantage of by beating Samuel Peter, when Peter retired on his stool at the end of the eighth round. At the time Klitschko led 80-72 on all three judges' scorecards. The scoring was announced prior to the end of the night as part of the WBC's temporary open scoring system.

The Klitschko brothers are the first siblings in boxing history to simultaneously hold world heavyweight championship belts.
Vitali's brother, Wladimir, is currently scheduled to defend the IBF and WBO title belts against British heavyweight boxer, David Haye on June 20, 2009.
Sumber : www.athlete.com

Wladimir Vladimirovich Klitschko

Full Name :     Wladimir Vladimirovich Klitschko 
Public :     Wladimir Klitschko
Nickname :     Dr. Steel Hammer
Country :     Ukraine
DOB :     March 25, 1976  (Age 34)
Place :     Semipalatinsk, Kazakhstan
Height :     6' 6"
Weight :     245 lbs.
Sport :     Boxing
Team :     Heavyweight (Unlimited)
Level :     Professional
Status :     Superstar

Wladimir Vladimirovich Klitschko was born on March 25, 1976, in Semipalatinsk, Kazakhstan. He is a Ukrainian heavyweight boxer. Klitschko currently holds the IBF and WBO world heavyweight titles and is ranked number one by the IBO in the top 100 computerized rankings. His elder brother, Vitali Klitschko, is the current WBC and former WBO heavyweight champion.

The spelling Wladimir is a German spelling his manager adopted for him early in his career. The Ukrainian spelling of his name is romanized as Volodymyr. The Russian spelling is romanized as Vladimir. He was born in Semipalatinsk, Kazakh SSR (now Kazakhstan). Though a major celebrity in his former adopted home of Germany, he moved with his older brother Vitali to Beverly Hills in 2004. Their father, Vladimir Rodionovich, was a Soviet Air Force Colonel. Their mother is Nadezhda Ulyanovna.

Boxing Career

Amateur Career

In 1993, Klitschko won the Junior European Championships as a heavyweight. In 1994, he received 2nd place at the Junior World Championships in Istanbul, Turkey. In 1995, he won the gold medal at the Military Championships in Ariccia, Italy, defeating Luan Krasniqi, who he had lost to in the third round of the World Championships in Berlin, Germany earlier that year. In 1996, he captured 2nd place as a Super Heavyweight at the European Championships in Vejle, Denmark.

Known as "The Steel Hammer," Klitschko first achieved world attention at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia. He defeated Paea Wolfgramm to win the Super-Heavyweight gold medal. He is now announced as "Dr. Steel Hammer," a name more in the vein of his brother, Vitali, who goes by "Dr. Ironfist."

Professional Career

Klitschko turned professional with Universum Box-Promotion in Hamburg, Germany under the tutelage of Fritz Sdunek. On October 14, 2000, in Cologne's Kölnarena (Germany), Klitschko won the WBO Heavyweight Championship from American Chris Byrd. After five successful defenses of the WBO belt, Wladimir suffered a 2nd round TKO loss to South African Corrie Sanders on March 8, 2003, in Hannover, Germany.

After winning two minor bouts in Germany and enlisting the services of legendary boxing trainer Emmanuel Steward, Wladimir again fought for the vacated WBO title on April 10, 2004, in Las Vegas, against Lamon Brewster. Klitschko sent Brewster to the canvas in the fourth round; however, things turned around in the fifth when Brewster began landing punches. Near the end of the round, Klitschko was floored by a right hand. Barely beating the count, Klitschko fell back to the canvas looking exhausted.

On April 22, 2006, in Mannheim, Germany, Klitschko again defeated Chris Byrd, this time by technical knockout, in a contest for the IBF Heavyweight Championship. Referee Wayne Kelly stopped the fight in the seventh round after a knockdown - Byrd beat the count, but his face was battered and bloody, and the fight was waved off. Klitschko then defeated mandatory challenger Ray Austin on March 10, 2007, at the SAP Arena in Mannheim, Germany by a second-round knockout with four consecutive left hooks to Austin's head. Wladimir did not use his right hand once during the fight, doing all his work with his left jab and left hook. Wladimir then avenged one of his previous losses as he defeated Lamon Brewster on July 7, 2007, in Cologne, Germany. Brewster's corner asked the referee to stop the fight at the end of the sixth round. It was later revealed that Klitschko fought most of the fight with a broken middle finger on his left hand.

Klitschko defeated WBO Heavyweight Champion Sultan Ibragimov at Madison Square Garden in New York City on February 23, 2008 to unify the IBF and WBO heavyweight titles. The Klitschko-Ibragimov fight was the first heavyweight unification since Holyfield-Lewis in 1999.

On July 12, 2008, at the Color Line Arena in Hamburg, Germany, Klitschko defeated Tony Thompson by eleventh round knockout.

Klitschko was scheduled to defend his titles against Alexander Povetkin later in 2008, but on October 25, Povetkin withdrew from the fight due to an ankle injury. Instead, Wladimir faced Hasim Rahman on December 13, 2008 and won by TKO. This was the third time Klitschko fought at the SAP Arena in Mannheim, Germany. He dominated the fight, winning every round while making good use of his left jab. The referee finally called a stop to the contest in the 7th round after Rahman failed to respond to a series of good shots.

Klitschko is currently scheduled to fight David Haye on June 20, 2009. The brothers have been quoted saying that it is only a matter of time until they unify the WBA title belt which is currently held by Nikolai Valuev. If they achieve this feat, the Klitschko brothers will become the first brothers in heavyweight boxing history to simultaneously hold all of the belts.


Sumber : www.athlete.com

Guillermo Jones

Guillermo Jones (born 1972-05-05 in Colon, Panama) is a Panamanian boxer best known for losing three world title fights in controversial decisions.

Career

"El Felino" started to box in the paid ranks 1993 as a welterweight and later at junior middleweight.[1] He won his first 21 bouts in Panama then went abroad and was stopped in two rounds by Venezuelan David Noel. He avenged the loss by first round KO and promoter Don King gave him a WBA title fight against Laurent Boudouani in 1998. He drew once and lost the rematch by split decision.

After these fights he went up four weightclasses until fighting as a Cruiser starting in 2002. He fought Johnny Nelson for the WBO title, again scoring a draw.

After yet another split decision loss in 2005, this time to undefeated contender and future title holder Steve Cunningham, he rebounded the same year with KOs of Kelvin Davis (boxer) and ex champ Wayne Braithwaite.

Jones got a shot at champion Firat Arslan on September 27, 2008 and won an undisputed fight by TKO. He is the heaviest and oldest professional fighter from Panama to have achieved a world championship and became Panama's 28th World Champion.[2] After winning the title Jones went through an extremely long period of inactivity (even for modern day boxers) and over 2 years later had still not made a single defence of his title. This was put down to a combination of fight postponements & 'out of the ring' problems. In August 2010 the WBA finally threatened to strip him of their belt unless some action was taken by Jones and his promoter to rectify this. As a result he signed to make his first defence of the belt against Valery Brudov in October 2010, and retained his title with an eleventh round stoppage in Panama City.

sumber : www.wikipedia.org

Krzysztof Wlodarczyk

Krzysztof "Diablo" Włodarczyk (born September 19, 1981) in Warsaw, Poland is a professional Polish boxer, the current WBC Cruiserweight World champion and the former IBF Cruiserweight World champion.
He won the IBF title on November 25, 2006 with a split decision over Steve Cunningham. He lost his title to Cunningham in a rematch on May 26, 2007. He fought Giacobbe Fragomeni on May 16, 2009 for the WBC Cruiserweight title. Włodarczyk knocked down his opponent during round 9 but the fight went to a draw after twelve rounds.
On 15 May 2010 Włodarczyk fought Giacobbe Fragomeni again for the vacant WBC cruiserweight title and defeated him with a TKO in round 8.
In September 2010 Włodarczyk defended his title against Jason Robinson. 
---------------

At the Torwar Sport Hall in Warsaw, Poland, Krzysztof Wlodarczyk raised his record to 44-2-1, with 32 KOs, as some had their crossed fingers behind his back after a controversial victory over surprisingly competent American challenger Jason Robinson (19-6, 11 KOs) in twelve disgraceful rounds. Being put on the brink of defeat by his awkward southpaw opponent and with his possible spot at Super Six cruiserweight tournament at risk, Wlodarczyk barely squeaked by with a dubious unanimous decision. Scores were: 117-111, 116-112 and 115-113 – in his favor. BoxingScene saw it quite differently: 114-116 – for the American.

It was expected to be an easy night for the local fighter. Wlodarczyk was coming off a dominant TKO 8 over Italian Giacobbe Fragomeni in his last battle in May when he captured a vacant WBC cruiserweight regalia and became a champion for the second time. Robinson, on the other hand, fought just thrice in last six years and suffered three kayo losses among his defeats. He got his title chance by hardly outpointing 42-year old John McCane to acquire the NABF title which provided him with the #10 spot by the WBC. Local crowd was fueled up in anticipation of a quick victory for their hero.

Things turned to bad almost immediately after the start. Using his unorthodox approach, Robinson controlled Wlodarczyk’s movements and prevented him from throwing any hard right hands and left hooks. He mostly ducked or blocked Pole’s punches while establishing rare but pin-point left hands to bother Wlodarczyk time and again. Despite being a fighter who literally worked as an aggressor, the Maywood (IL) native delivered an impressive defensive performance but didn’t forget to deliver some shots on his offensive. Wlodarczyk experienced a hard time finding both rhythm and distance for his actions.

All rounds were pretty close to score but it was clear that Wlodarczyk, though a fresher and a stronger fighter of two, was playing Robinson’s game almost all night long. It’s necessary to point out that the Pole dealt his share of punishment but he was never close to rocking Robinson. After six pretty similar rounds it was an even fight. However, Robinson started to be more and more effective and offensive as the bout progressed. The Pole on the other hand found that fighting from the outside and in spurts could be useful against such an opponent as Robinson. Krzysztof used it in rounds nine to eleven, and found it as the right strategy against a seemingly not-fatigued opponent. However, the very end of the bout was in Robinson’s favor as he clearly took the last round.

Referee in the ring was Daniel Van De Viele. Wlodarczyk should improve much in order to be competitive against better opposition which he most probably will meet in the tournament, being produced by the Sauerland Event in the nearest future.

sumber : www.wikipedia.org & www.suljosblog.com

Steve Cunningham

Steve “USS” Cunningham was born and raised in Philadelphia and started boxing when he joined the Navy straightout of high school in 1994.

While fueling jets and helicopters on Navy aircraft carriers, Steve tried out for the All-Navy Boxing Team. In his first amateur fight, he defeated the All-Navy Light Heavyweight Champion, a harbinger of great things to come. After successfully representing the Navy in numerous boxing tournaments, Cunningham was at end of his enlistment and decided to attempt to earn a berth on the Men’s U.S. Olympic Team.

After losing a controversial bout in the 2000 USA National Boxing Championship quarterfinals opposing the reigning light heavyweight world champion Michael Simms Jr., Cunningham decided to become a professional prizefighter.

Steve started his pro career in October 2000 and subsequently ripped through 11 opponents in 11 months, scoring eight stoppages including an imposing run of four consecutive first-round knockouts.

On March 29, 2003, Steve realised his boyhood dream when he won a unanimous decision over Demetrious Jenkins (21-8-1) in his hometown of Philadelphia at the world-famous Spectrum.

On May 22, 2004, The “USS” rolled into Brakpan, South Africa, where he won a majority decision over world-rated Sebastian Rothmann (17-2-2) on Rothmann’s home soil. Steve made the biggest appearance of his career to date on the undercard of Felix “Tito” Trinidad vs. Ricardo “El Matador” Mayorga at Madison Square Garden on October 2, 2004. He took on the very capable Forrest Neal (16-4) and disposed of him by knockout in round 4.  Still undefeated, Cunningham continued his winning ways in 2005, notching his most impressive victories yet. On April 2 he showed his boxing skills and versatility by winning a split decision over the legendary tough Panamanian Guillermo “El Felino” Jones (31-2-2) in Worcester, Massachusetts.

A rising star, Cunningham proved his mettle again on September 3, 2005, in a dominating performance against former International Boxing Federation champion Kevin ‘Konkrete” Davis (21-3-1) for the IBF No.1 ranking. Cunningham put on a boxing clinic that frustrated the former champion, causing Davis to resort to throwing bombs in vain attempts to catch the quick-boxing and elusive Cunningham.

Davis was clearly outmatched, ending up on the losing side of a unanimous 12-round decision with one judge scoring the match 118-110 and the two remaining judges at 117-111.

The IBF ordered the No. 1-ranked Cunningham to take on the leading available contender Krzystof Wlodaczyk (36-1, 27 KOs), from Poland. Wlodarczyk’s promoter, Warriors Boxing, won the purse bid and promoted the first-ever world championship match in Poland at Warsaw’s Toorwar Sports Hall on November 25, 2006.

Cunningham boxed strongly for 12 rounds in a tough fight that the American judge Charles Dwyer saw as a landslide win for Cunningham at 119-109. The German judge Wallfried Rollert favoured Wlodarczyk 116-112 as did Kromka at 115-113. The split-decision win for Wlodarczyk outraged Cunningham and his camp. “This is my livelihood,” Cunningham said after the fight. “This is how I put food on my table. Despite all the factors working against me I won the fight.” “I demand an immediate rematch, This time let’s do it in the States. He may have gotten the decision and maybe he has the belt but I know I am the champion.”

Cunningham won the right to an immediate rematch after it was revealed the mandatory anti-doping tests were not administered after the fight according to the rules of the IBF. The rematch with Wlodarczyk took place on May 26 in Katowice, Poland. Cunningham, as he did in the first fight, came out strong. Throwing even more punches than he did in their first fight while the Pole’s output dropped to mostly single punches, Cunningham dropped Wlodarczyk in the fourth round. In the end, Cunningham did more than his rival and won a majority decision by scores of 116-112, 115-112 and 14-14 to become the IBF cruiserweight
champion.

“I had fun in there today” Cunningham said after the fight. “I knew he didn’t have what it takes to beat me. Today just solidified what we have been saying all along, that I was the better man in the first fight.”

“This has been a long hard road and we stuck to the game plan and proved to some naysayers that said we had to knock him out to win this belt.”

Undaunted by the possibility of enequities when fighting outside America and wanting to be a true world champion, Cunningham agreed to face undefeated Marco “Captain” Huck, who had just scored a majority- decision victory over then-undefeated Vadim Tokarev in an IBF elimination bout to determine the No. 1-ranked mandatory challenger.

To make matters worse, the fight was staged in Huck’s adopted hometown of Bielefeld, Germany on December 29th. The hometown and German advantages led to the Champion Cunningham being a four-to-one betting underdog leading up to the fight. “I have fought outside America before, so it’s not like I don’t know what I am getting into.” Cunningham said. “I know what I have to do to win and I will.”

Huck, 23, knew he was in with a strong boxer in Cunningham, so he came out early looking for an opening to land his big right hand. Huck landed some strong punches, but Cunningham took them and gave as well as he got. “Some people thought Huck was giving me problems, but I didn’t really have trouble with him at the start,” Cunningham said. “I was just smarter.”

Cunningham may have dropped some early rounds, but his jab was always effective, and he used his experience and defensive skills to keep his aggressor at bay. Stepping up the pressure in the seventh round, Cunningham delivered a series of strong combinations that included body punches and telling uppercuts that produced bleeding from Huck’s left ear. Both fighters emptied their arsenals in the 11th round with power punches being thrown at will. At the end of the round, Cunningham flurried with a barrage of blows punctuated by a staggering uppercut that sent Huck reeling.

In the 12th and final round, both fighters threw caution to the wind and went for the knockout. In the middle of the round, Cunningham began to land unanswered combinations against an exhausted but still-standing Huck, whose corner wasn’t as brave as the fighter. Trainer Ulli Wegner wisely threw in the towel at the 1:56 mark. “He hit me a couple of times but as a world champion you have to be able to take a few punches” Cunningham said after the fight. “I knew I was stronger mentally and physically and I have trained really hard.

Huck has no reason to be embarrassed of himself. He fought a great fight, but there’s no stopping me.” On the 11th December 2008 Cunningham defending his crown for the second time against Poland’s Tomasz ‘Goral’ Adamek.

After twelve gruelling rounds, it was clear to all that it would be close and could go either way, even though Cunningham had been knockdown three times. In the end the split decision went the way of the challenger, Tomasz Adamek.

“I don’t want to use it as an excuse, but not fighting in a year may have hurt me,” Cunningham said in the postfight interview. Cunningham set the tempo early coming out strong each round dictating with a good jab from the ever oncoming Adamek. “I’m disappointed of course, anytime you lose a belt. But I fell into my opponents plan too much”

The fight was designated the cruiserweight fight of the year and late candidate for “Fight Of The Year” status in the 2008 boxing awards.

It is hoped that a rematch will take place sometime in 2009.

OUTSIDE THE RING... Steve is a successful model as he featured in ad campaigns for Target and is represented by Renegade Model Management. Steve has been featured on the Travel Channel program “24 Hours in Philadelphia”.

Steve enjoys Paintball, XBox/video games and movies.

Steve has been married for four years to his wife Elizabeth and they have two children, Steve Jr., 5, and Kennedy, 2. Cunningham’s daughter Kennedy was born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome and endured two surgeries just after birth. In HLHS, the left side of the heart - including the aorta, aortic valve, left ventricle and mitral valve - is underdeveloped. She spent the first year of her life in the hospital with a tube in her throat and had a third surgery. The Cunninghams were told originally that she would have surgery and come home in a month, but there were complications. It was a difficult time for the young family. Kennedy finally came home in September 2006 and is expected long term to live a normal life, although she still has one more surgery to undergo at the age of three. Steve is grateful to have kept his family together during and after this long ordeal.

Deeply religious and socially aware. Steve, regularly gives his time to work with organisations that help
those less fortunate than himself such as:

    * URYS - Urban Youth Racing School - A charitable organisation that teaches inner city kids about motor racing and and teaches them the mechanical skills as well as helping them with careers and other opportunities within the automotive industry.
    *  The Rock Ministry - An inner city ministry that helps troubled youths to stay out of further trouble through the discipline of boxing. In addition to training the youths involved in this project, Steve also ministers to them.
    * FCA - Fellowship of Christian Athletes - Steve takes great pride in being a regular speaker for the FCA, at schools, camps and other events.
    * Steve is currently in discussions with the Susan G. Komen Foundation with regard for him being an Ambassador for them.
    *  In the very near future Steve plans to contact the American Heart Association - his daughter, Kennedy, has a congenital heart disease - to see if there is any way he can help the AHA with fund raising or to help raise awareness for the organization.

Sumber : www.helium.com

Marco Huck

Marco Huck (born November 11, 1984 as Muamer Hukić in Sjenica, Serbia) is a German professional boxer of Bosniak origin.

In 2004 he proved himself in sparring for promoter Sauerland and turned pro under Ulli Wegner. There he showed a crowdpleasing aggressive style, good stamina, power, a decent chin and a strong will to win but a volatile temper and an extremely dirty fighting style making him a controversial character.

In the build-up he bested amateur stars Michael Simms and Claudio Rasco and had his first major fight against contender ( rated in the Ring Magazine) Pietro Aurino. In a typical wild affair he was butted by the Italian and kicked him in the stomach in return. When he wasn't disqualified the Italian stormed out of the ring in disgust and was declared loser.

Right afterwards he outpointed another world class fighter in undefeated (23-0) contender Vadim Tokarev this time without controversy.

He was rated #7 by the Ring Magazine when he fought Steve Cunningham, however Huck was knockout by Cunningham in his first title defense.

After the loss to Cunningham he has since won six straight fights by knockout and on March 13,2010 Huck won the WBO Cruiserweight title from Victor Emilio Ramírez. He has since defended this title four times against Ola Afolabi, Adam Richards, Brian Minto, and Matt Godfrey.
Sumber : www.ask.com