Press Release: 25-year old cruiserweight Krzysztof Wlodarczyk will get his long-awaited shot at a world title on Saturday, November 25, 2006 when he takes on unbeaten Steve Cunningham for the vacant IBF cruiserweight title. The bout will be televised live over the Internet at www.VideoSport.com/boxing from Warsaw, Poland. Also in action, undefeated cruiserweight contender Vadim Tokarev will make his first ring appearance since stopping previously undefeated Felix Cora Jr. when he faces Shane Swartz in a twelve-round contest. This exclusive championship doubleheader webcast will air at www.VideoSport.com/boxing for just $9.99 from the Torwar Sport Hall in Warsaw beginning at 3pm ET / 12pm PT (8pm – UK) the title fights will air beginning at approximately 5pm ET / 2pm PT (10pm – UK).
Krzysztof Wlodarczyk (36-1, 27 KOs) has suffered just one controversial technical decision loss in his career (in 2003), and has since gone on to win 16 fights in a row. Included on his victims list are former world titlist Imamu Mayfield and Rudiger May.
Steve Cunningham (19-0, 10 KOs) has been one of the most avoided cruiserweights in recent years, with only Wlodarczyk willing to step up and face him with a title on the line. A native of the fighting city of Philadelphia, Cunningham is coming off an impressive fifth round stoppage of Lloyd Bryan in January.
Vadim Tokarev (22-0-1, 15 KOs) is one of the cruiserweight division’s diamonds in the rough, and the native of Ekaterinburg, Russia has an urgent desire to get to the top as soon as possible - something he made big strides towards when he stopped the highly regarded Cora in four rounds in May. A veteran of almost six years in the pro ring, Tokarev has held the Russian cruiserweight title, and he holds wins over Darnell Wilson, Michael Simms, and former world titlist Arthur Williams.Â
Fort Collins, Colorado’s Shane Swartz (18-4, 12 KOs) likes to live up to his nickname of ‘Hurricane’ once the bell rings, and he’s one of a rare breed of fighters who will truly fight anyone at anyplace and anytime. A former heavyweight competitor who lost to Calvin Brock and Malik Scott, Swartz moved to the cruiserweight division and made a big splash in June by scoring a five round technical decision over perennial contender Dale Brown.