Interview with Steve Cunningham for this thursday's fight

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Thursday night at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey IBF cruiserweight champion Steve “USS” Cunningham puts his title on the line against former WBC light heavyweight champion Tomasz “Goral” Adamek. Fightnews had the opportunity to go one on one with the world champion from Philadelphia, Pa., as he broke camp for his first opportunity to defend his title on US soil against hometown favorite Adamek that will be televised live on the Versus Network.
How has camp gone for your fight against Tomasz Adamek?
I had a very good training camp. I had some great sparring with the likes of Eddie Chambers, Yusaf Mack, Chazz Witherspoon and Julio Cesar Mathews. I am fighting this fight as if I’m coming to win this title, not just defend it.
Steve, you have been a road warrior, having won the title in Poland and defending it in Germany. How does it feel finally defend back the title back home in USA, even though it is in Adamek’s backyard?
We have basically taught ourselves that we are going back to Europe. We did not want get lackadaisical or comfortable because we are at home. There is a sense of comfort without having to travel on an eight-hour flight. We drove to Newark from Philadelphia. In my mindset, I have to dominate. I have to beat this man no matter where we are. We have this mindset that we’re not champion. We are trying to fight to be champion. Comfortability is only in being victorious.
You're facing Tomasz Adamek. What do you know about him?
He is the former WBC light heavyweight champion. Tomasz is very skilled. He showed in the Paul Briggs fight that he can go toe to toe or he can box. Tomasz can do everything in the ring and that is what is going to make this fight so awesome, because we can do everything too. We are there to force our will on him. Our whole game plan in this camp is to shut him down and eliminate any options of attack for him. Hopefully, we can get him out of there. We are going to do our best. Victory is our number one goal.
Religion plays a large part in your life. For those that don’t know you, could you explain that?
I am born again of Jesus Christ. One thing people have to realize is that me being a world champion goes beyond making a lot of money or having lots of fame. I don’t care for the fame, of course I would like to make as much money as I can. Above all else, by being a world champion and working hard in the gym and in the ring is how I bring glory to my god. I will use that fame and status to help somebody else in life. Since I have been champion, I have been invited to schools, camps to encourage kids. I am from the ghetto in Philadelphia. I want to show kids from the same spot that I came from, that you can go out and do something in your life also. You don’t have to end up like the normal statistic.
Family also plays a big role in your life, can you tell us a little about your family?
I am blessed to be married to my wife Libby. I have a son Steve Jr., who just turned six. I also have a daughter Kennedy, who is three. She was born without the left side of her heart, called Hypo Plastic Left Heart Syndrome. It is a heart disease and she has already had two surgeries to surgeries to fix it. Kennedy needs one more operation and she will be able to live a normal life. The surgery is schedule for early next summer. Kennedy is a fighter and it gives me strength knowing what she went through. Seeing this little girl that can take on this big villain called heart disease and being victorious at that. She is a miracle baby at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. That is just so much strength and encouragement for me.
How has becoming a world champion changed your life?
It does change some things like your tax bracket (chuckles Cunningham). The attention you get. People are now recognizing you because of your accomplishments. As a fighter in the ring, it makes me intensify. It makes me want to get better and better to keep the championship. Once you get a taste of being champion, you don’t want to lose it. That is why you see a lot of ex champions keep coming back to fight. like I said before, I take what I can from being a champion to help somebody else. The kids see me coming from where the neighborhood and they can think that they can do it also.
Any words for your fans on what to expect on Thursday night?
I know this is entertainment for my fans and they want to come out and see a good fight, but to me this is my life. I live boxing. My family lives boxing and that is why we are successful. I want to showcase my boxing abilities. I want to show power. I want to show everything, put on a good performance and be victorious for god and my fans.

 

A true class act, and ambassador for the sport.

Steve has all the advantages in this one, but Adamek is up for it too. Let's hope for a great fight on Thursday. :good

 

Definately, Steve Cunningham is pure class. Seemingly a great human being.

 

Class act and he will make the cruiserweight division exciting. I see him unifying and keeping it for a while.(will not move up like so many other cruiserweight champs.)