***The Underappreciated Appreciation Thread***

Today's most successful boxers are rarely the most deserving. Money, fame and prestige are regularly awarded to unworthy fighters, while fearless warriors frequently fight for modest purses and minimal attention.

Steve "USS" Cunningham is one such warrior.

On Saturday night, Cunningham once again rose from the dead to come so close to completing a remarkable comeback against Yoan Pablo Hernandez. Cunningham is a former long-reigning Ring champion and IBF champion at cruiserweight, with big wins over Marco Huck, Kryzysztof Wlodarczyk, Guillermo Jones and Wayne Braithwaite, as well as a narrow loss in a classic war to Tomasz Adamek and two close and controversial losses to Hernandez.

Cunningham started boxing at age 19 in the US Navy. In his first amateur bout, he beat the light heavyweight champion of the entire Navy. Everywhere he goes, whether in the ring or out, he behaves with class, dignity and courage. His fights are exciting, and he's not afraid to travel to his opponent's backyard. He's fought his last four bouts in Germany, and has also taken fights in Poland and South Africa. But for some reason he gets no love at home. He barely has a fan base at home. American TV doesn't even pick up his fights.

Cunningham has been dropped on multiple occasions: three times against Adamek, twice in one fight and once in another by Hernandez, once against Troy Ross, and once against unknown Ghanaian Joseph Awinongya. But he always gets up.

He's been robbed off a brace of big victories: first by the judges scorecards in his first fight vs. Wlodarczyk and again by the brazen stoppage in the first fight against Hernandez. On both occasions the decisions took place on foreign soil. And on both occasions Cunningham went back to that same foreign soil to seek vengeance.

Cunningham might not have long left. He's 35 years old and his punch resistance has deteriorated. Hopefully he has made enough money to enjoy a healthy and happy retirement. It's the least he deserves.

Steve "USS" Cunningham, I salute you!

There are plenty of other fighters deserving of tribute who have never received the respect they deserve. Who does ESB suggest?

 

:-( It's not that long

 

Lot's of good additions so far:

Lucas Matthysse

Chop Chop

Delvin Rodriguez

Dennis Andries

Carlos Quintana

Luis Collazo

I'd add a few high-level journeyman types like Zack Page and Emanuel Augustus.

 

Good pick. An elite fighter who stays completely off the mainstream radar.