Cunningham hoping to avoid return to Poland

27/02/2007

Cunningham hoping to avoid return to Poland

March 6 set for purse bid of cruiserweight rematch

Press Release: Cruiserweight contender Steve "USS" Cunningham has asked that Poland be removed from consideration to host his IBF-ordered rematch with champion Krzysztof Wlodarczyk. When Cunningham, from America, and Wlodarczyk, from Poland, met for the vacant IBF cruiserweight title in Warsaw on Nov. 25, it was the first world championship ever staged in Poland.  Unfortunately, the event was mired in controversy long before Wlodarczyk was awarded a disputed split-decision victory as Cunnigham says an Italian judge was dropped in favor of a Polish judge and he was never provided a copy of the local rules. "I thought Poland and most of the people I met in Warsaw were great," Cunningham said, "but I don't think they're capable of staging a fair fight, especially when one of their own is in the ring."  Cunningham's promoter Don King and representatives for Wlodarczyk were unable to come to terms for the rematch, so the IBF has ordered a purse bid scheduled for March 6, 2007.