Steve Cunningham


Steven Ormain Cunningham 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 and between 1994 and 1998.

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 and.
Cunningham started boxing at the age of 19, and won the National Golden Gloves 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. 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. 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.

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
39Loss29–9–1 Andrew TabitiUD10Aug 26, 2017 T-Mobile Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.For NABF cruiserweight title
38Win29–8–1 Felipe RomeroUD6Mar 17, 2017 Santander Arena, Reading, Pennsylvania, U.S.
37Loss28–8–1 Krzysztof GłowackiUD12Apr 16, 2016 Barclays Center, New York City, New York, U.S.For WBO cruiserweight title
36Draw28–7–1 Antonio Tarver12Aug 14, 2015 Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
35Loss28–7 Vyacheslav GlazkovUD12Mar 14, 2015 Bell Centre, Montreal, Quebec, CanadaLost USBA heavyweight title
34Win28–6 Natu Visinia7, 3:00Oct 18, 2014 2300 Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
33Win27–6 Amir MansourUD10Apr 4, 2014 Liacouras Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.Won USBA heavyweight title
32Win26–6 Manuel QuezadaUD8Dec 14, 2013 Resorts Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
31Loss25–6 Tyson FuryKO7, 2:55Apr 20, 2013 The Theater at Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
30Loss25–5 Tomasz AdamekSD12Dec 22, 2012 Sands Casino Resort, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, U.S.For IBF North American heavyweight title
29Win25–4 Jason GavernUD10Sep 8, 2012 Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
28Loss24–4 Yoan Pablo HernándezUD12Feb 4, 2012 Fraport Arena, Frankfurt, GermanyFor IBF cruiserweight title
27Loss24–3 Yoan Pablo Hernández6, 3:00Oct 1, 2011 Jahnsportforum, Neubrandenburg, GermanyLost IBF cruiserweight title;
Split TD after Hernández was cut from an accidental head clash
26Win24–2 Enad LicinaUD12Feb 12, 2011 RWE Rhein-Ruhr Sporthalle, Mülheim, GermanyRetained IBF cruiserweight title
25Win23–2 Troy RossTKO5, 0:01Jun 5, 2010 Jahnsportforum, Neubrandenburg, GermanyWon vacant IBF cruiserweight title
24Win22–2 Wayne BraithwaiteUD12Jul 11, 2009 BankAtlantic Center, Sunrise, Florida, U.S.
23Loss21–2 Tomasz AdamekSD12Dec 11, 2008 Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey, U.S.Lost IBF cruiserweight title
22Win21–1 Marco HuckTKO12, 1:56Dec 29, 2007 Seidensticker Halle, Bielefeld, GermanyRetained IBF cruiserweight title
21Win20–1 Krzysztof WłodarczykMD12May 26, 2007 Spodek, Katowice, PolandWon IBF cruiserweight title
20Loss19–1 Krzysztof WłodarczykSD12Nov 25, 2006 Torwar Hall, Warsaw, PolandFor vacant IBF cruiserweight title
19Win19–0 Lloyd BryanTKO5, 1:10Jan 7, 2006 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
18Win18–0 Kelvin DavisUD12Sep 3, 2005 Gund Arena, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
17Win17–0 Guillermo JonesSD10Apr 2, 2005 DCU Center, Worcester, Massachusetts, U.S.
16Win16–0 Forrest NealTKO4, 0:53Oct 2, 2004 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
15Win15–0 Sebastiaan Rothmann10May 22, 2004 Carnival City, Brakpan, South Africa
14Win14–0 Terry McGroomUD8Sep 20, 2003 Mohegan Sun Arena, Montville, Connecticut, U.S.
13Win13–0 Demetrius JenkinsUD8Mar 29, 2003 Spectrum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
12Win12–0 Joseph Awinongya8Jul 27, 2002 Mandalay Bay Events Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
11Win11–0 Caseny TruesdalePTS4Sep 29, 2001 Martinsville, Virginia, U.S.
10Win10–0 Shawn TownsendTKO3Aug 30, 2001 Charleston, South Carolina, U.S.
9Win9–0 Shawn TownsendTKO6Jul 26, 2001 Charleston, South Carolina, U.S.
8Win8–0 John BattleKO1Jun 28, 2001 The Plex, Charleston, South Carolina, U.S.
7Win7–0 Mike WilliamsTKO6May 24, 2001 The Plex, Charleston, South Carolina, U.S.
6Win6–0 Richard PerryKO1May 12, 2001 Johnson City, Tennessee, U.S.
5Win5–0 Jeff Bowman1Apr 28, 2001 Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.
4Win4–0 Kanovas AlexanderKO1Apr 12, 2001 Gaillard Municipal Auditorium, Charleston, South Carolina, U.S.
3Win3–0 Nate Frazier1Mar 10, 2001 Virginia, U.S.
2Win2–0 Robert Marsh4Feb 17, 2001 Radisson Hotel, Charleston, South Carolina, U.S.
1Win1–0 Norman Jones4Oct 28, 2000 Jarrell's Boxing Gym, Savannah, Georgia, U.S.