Live Report: Adamek Edges Cunningham in Classic

December 12th, 2008

By Scoop Malinowski

Polish star may have replaced the Gatti Franchise for Main Events, Cunnigham’s stock rises too

I sometimes wonder if most or many boxing matches are determined before the first bell, where one of the combatants pretty much knows he will win and the other is hopeful and optimistic, but just not sure.

These world class warriors study and live this sport, they closely examine their rivals’ strengths and tendencies. Under the bluffs and facades, they should know before the rest of us observers what will happen.

If any fight fits this criteria, it might be Adamek vs. Cunningham. Let’s look at their words. Before the fight Adamek stated simply, “I’m strong and fast. I will be the new champion of the world.” On the other hand, Cunningham never precisely stated any assurances of victory, as did Adamek. “I fought hard to get this title. I’ll be darned if I’m going to just give it to somebody. You can carry me out of here in a body bag…I worked hard to get this IBF title and it’s gonna be a hard job to take it from me. I’m not giving it to nobody. You understand? I just want to be the next great cruiserweight champion, that’s my goal. I’m prepared to give you a great fight on Thursday.”

Those pre-fight words presented an exact foreshadow to what would happen in the ring at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ on Thursday December 11…

“It was the fight of the year of 2008,” said Main Events promoter Kathy Duva. A very close, incredible fight between two evenly matched champions. “We showed the heart of ten champions in there,” said Cunningham, and by judging from the crowd reaction throughout the entire fight, the atmosphere was every bit as electric as any Arturo Gatti fight at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City.

The arena was spellbound when Adamek appeared for his ring walk to some awesome Polish music sung by a male with a deep voice, eerie but perfect for the occasion. Adamek is a very cool and calm person, reminiscent to me of Fedor Emelianenko, and his commanding presence in the ring fueled the excitement of the raucous crowd which appeared to be about “92%” Polish, as estimated by Adamek’s manager Ziggy Rozalski.

Cunningham came out to gospel rap and looked amazing himself, but again, like during the media workout on Monday, you could sense just a hint of tension and apprehension in the serious demeanor of Cunningham, as if he knew what he was up against, and how formidable Adamek would be for him to defeat. Though Adamek was the 3-1 underdog, he was clearly, to my eyes, the more calm and relaxed of the two. And the more experienced – Adamek (now 36-1, 24 KO’s) began boxing at age 12, Cunningham (now 21-2, 11) started at 19 (both are now 32).

Here are my notes form the fight:

Round 1: Adamek looks very smooth and confident coming forward to launch his attacks, he is the predator. USS Cunningham is dangerous but looks to be in the role as the prey. Vociferous crowd gives a big applause after round one, they are loving this fight. Another vintage event by the greatest promoter in boxing history Don King.

Round 2: Adamek seems a little bit quicker and sharper but USS’s punches look devastating. Trainer Colin Morgan tells me later his punches are a little too wide which negates their power. Adamek looks very relaxed but they both are throwing some big bombs in there. At end of round Adamek drops USS with a left hook. Polish fans are euphoric, they always bring incredible energy to support their fighters who always seem to please and reciprocate their devotion and support. Andrew Golota too gave the Polish fans massive excitement and thrills if not always the W in the big fights.

Round 3: Cunningham appears concerned and even a tad worried in his movements, like he knows how good Adamek is, it’s a show of respect. Adamek may be the better fighter but the better fighter does not always win.

Round 4: Cunningham had Adamek hurt badly for the first two minutes with volleys of head shots but could not put this Polish Superman down, same as Paul Briggs who was a big puncher. Big bombs launched by USS but they can’t down the Pole. Then the Pole rallies and turns the tide and drops USS at the end of the round with a right with :10 left. Holy Pacquiao! What a fight! This is Bowe-Holyfied-like! Fight of the Year!

Round 5: Not much defense in this fight. No holding either. Just my bombs against your bombs, let’s see who can take it. Adamek is a little bit stronger coming forward.

Round 6: Quietest round, they both deserve to take a round off. Not much happened here but still an exciting competitive round, better than anything we saw last Saturday night.

Round 7: Adamek is constantly hunting him down, constantly coming forward, little step by little step. USS lets this happen and accepts what is coming. But he is landing some bombs too, lefts and rights. Former IBF Heavyweight champ Chris Byrd is sitting behind Cunningham’s corner. The two are very good friends. Both are two of the nicest guys you will meet in boxing, two class acts. Byrd seemed to be telling his man to use the double or triple jab, not sure though.

Round 8: Another amazing round, Adamek wins it, drops him again (left hook) but then USS rallies late and lands some bombs. This is just an amazing fight.

Round 10: Another give and take battle round. Gotta be top 5 for fights of the year. Like a classic fight, all offense, little defense and scant head movement from either.

Round 12: Incredible fight. Just pandemonium. Unbelievable fight. Cunningham wins last round, he was in better condition had more energy. A total standing ovation waiting for the decision to be announced. Clark Sammartino, 114-112 for Cunningham, John Stewart 116-110 Adamek and Shafeeq Rashada 115-112 for Adamek. Split decision. Chris Byrd even applauds the decision with very muted, resigned clapping, everyone knows who really won this very close, exciting fight.

Crowd unfairly boos Cunningham when he is shown on big screen above ring being interviewed by Wally Matthews for Versus. This was wrong, the very classy Cunningham deserves better than this for his magnificent, champion-like performance. Adamek goes to the four corners of the ring and climbs the ropes to acknowledge and thank the fans for support. Cunningham actually does the same thing, as if to say, Come on people you gotta give me my respects for what I just did in this ring. I gave you a great fight and deserve an applause. He gets a big one from me and some others.

Polish fans are generally fair sports, I remember after Holyfield beat Tyson the first time, Holyfield came to see Golota-Bowe II two weeks later in Atlantic City and when they announced Holyfield the Polish fans started a long and loud chant of, “HOLY FIELD!, HOLY FIELD!, HOLY FIELD!”

At the post fight press conference, Cunnigham was almost as happy as if he won. His spirits were just as animated as they always are, even after this tough defeat. He was clearly proud of what he gave tonight as he should be. He gave the very best he had to offer. “What a fight,” were his first words. “I’m a little disappointed of course. You know what I’m saying. Any time you lose a belt, you should be disappointed or you’re crazy. But I’m kinda pleased with my performance to an extent. I’m happy with my team, my team’s good with me. We showed the heart of ten champions in there. In the name of Jesus Christ, I did what I did, I do what I do and I’m gonna continue to do it. Adamek caught me with some very good lash knockdowns. I wasn’t hurt [laughs], I can take a punch obviously. He’s a good fighter. I fell into his plan a few times. I felt I could outslug him. I know the audience would love to see a rematch.”

“I thought I could stop him. I had him a few times. In the fourth I over shot my load. I was sooo anxious. I saw it, he was wobbly, I had him. He’s a tough dude. Don’t get me wrong, he’s a tough dude. I shoulda picked my shots better. But when you smell that knockout…”

“I feel great,” said Cunningham. He looked, sounded and should feel great. He gave one of the best performances of the year, better than Oscar gave Pacquiao, better than Pavlik gave Hopkins, Peter gave Vitali and Jones gave Calzaghe.

“I hope this fight helped boxing because the UFC is kicking our butt. I hope this fight did it and I’m very proud to be a part of it.”

Adamek had some facial swelling and not as much verbal energy as his counterpart. “Way back when I first signed for this fight I told the media in Poland I will be the new cruiserweight champion. And I am. Thank you very much.”

Adamek may have become a lot more than that. With the support he received from the Polish community in the New York area, Adamek may be the new Arturo Gatti franchise for Main Events. The buzz and excitement he created will only spread and there will be more people at his next fight. And rumor has it Bernard Hopkins would like to challenge Adamek in his next fight. And that would be a million dollar payday, at minimum, for Superman Adamek.

Notes: WBA champ Guillermo Jones came all the way from Panama to watch. Jones hopes to land a unification fight now with Adamek. I Biofiled Jones and it was one of the best Biofiles all year, he said he once hit a guy so hard the mouthpiece went down his throat and he also had a memorable encounter with Ricardo Mayorga’s brother. Never knew much about Guillermo Jones before last night but I’m a big supporter of him now, great guy, also a good friend of my boxing hero Roberto Duran. Stay tuned for more with Guillermo Jones. Very nice and funny guy too, any boxing fan would love him if they met him.