by S. Graveson

Created on: March 11, 2010

When it comes to current American boxers one that seems to regularly slip under the radar and sadly has found himself needing to go to opponents “back yard” on a host of occasions is Steve “U.S.S” Cunningham. One of the elite Cruiserweights in the world right now that seems to have repeatedly found himself over looked and for one reason or another has yet to find himself the fan base that his talent deserves.

Born in 1976 in the boxing hotbed of Philadelphia, Steve would join the Navy soon after finishing high school and swiftly pick up boxing whilst there. After being one of the top amateurs in the Navy he would try to move into the world elite, though was beaten in quarter finals of the US National Boxing Championships. Soon after this he would turn to the paid ranks of the sport and debut in October 2000. He would take a split decision win over fellow debutant Norman Jones to start his career, though it was 2001 when things really started going.

Between February and September of 2001 he would fight, and win 10 straight contests (8 of which were by KO) as he started making a name for himself as one of the top prospects that the Cruiserweight division had. Though sadly this was where the troubles started, he would fight only once in 2002 and then only twice in 2003. His early momentum was completely gone, bad management had killed off the start he had had. A win in 2004 over Sebastian Rothman was at that point the best win of his career though already he was needing to go abroad to fight, in that case to South Africa. One ore fight in 2004 didn't help an awful lot but it did keep him active.

2005 saw him stepping up again, this time getting a split decision over Guillermo Jones, a former 2 time title contender. A win here showed he was skilled but he was still lacking the exposure and the backing that he needed. His second fight of 2005 was against Kelvin Davis with the winner promised an IBF title fight, this was one step from making it to the top. He would beat Davis then have an easy night in a warm up over Lloyd Bryan in early 2006. Now was his chance, but he would have to go over to Poland to face Krzysztof Wlodarczyk the IBF champion.

In November 2006 after going over to Poland Cunningham was unlucky to lose a split decision, most feeling he had been robbed by the judges who had favoured the home fighter on the cards. The following year he would go back to Poland to face Wlodarczyk in a rematch. After Cunningham scored a 4th round

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