Cunningham responds to Haye

tko_kid · Post by **tko_kid** » 04 Mar 2008, 20:47

Philadelphia (March 4, 2008)—During an international conference call, WBC/Ring Magazine Cruiserweight champion David Haye was asked if he was interested in a fight with IBF Cruiserweight champion, Steve “USS” Cunningham if he wins on Saturday against WBO champ Enzo Maccarinelli.

Haye responded by saying “Nobody knows who he is. Who has he beaten? He has a vacant title. There's no history behind him. The reason he got the title is because O'Neil Bell gave the title up, and then Cunningham took the belt.”

Cunningham wants to put Haye on alert that he should delay his heavyweight aspirations and maybe get his facts right.

“Who have I fought? Who has he fought? He knocked out Mormeck, who shouldn’t have had the title in the first place. Bell won the second fight despite Mormeck being saved by short rounds. Other then that, the only name he ever fought was Carl Thompson and by the way David, I just want to remind you that you got knocked out in that fight.”

“Lets compare resume’s David. How many guys have I beaten that were top-10 guys and how many have you beaten. I count one in Mormeck, a faded Mormeck at that. The same faded guy that had you on Ice Skates during that fight”

“I have fought Sebastian Rotthmann (In South Africa), Guillermo Jones, Kelvin Davis, Wlodarzcyk (two times in Poland) and Huck (in Germany)”

“As for the vacant belt comment, I actually beat a reigning champion in Wlodarczyk. Everyone who saw the first fight knows what happened. You know I won that fight. O’Neill Bell ran from me two times. He knows why he did it. He remembers our time together in Atlanta “

“Who am I? I am sure I am better known in Europe then you are.”

“You are trying to run from me just like the other unified champ ran.”

“Just some advice for you David, going up to heavyweight will be putting your career on the line, because your already exposed glass jaw will be broken. And that’s IF you get by Enzo on Saturday.”

JSA · Post by **JSA** » 05 Mar 2008, 01:11

Forgive my ignorance but only exposure I have had to Cunningham is a profile in a local boxing mag. Sounds like a good bloke.Interested on comments about what hes made of AND how he would get on fighting Haye?!?!?!?Cheers

Asterix · Post by **Asterix** » 05 Mar 2008, 04:55

Isn't this irrelevant with Haye making the jump up to Heavyweight? I can't see this fight happening at Cruiserweight.

josh fg · Post by **josh fg** » 05 Mar 2008, 05:35

Cunningham is just as legit an oponent as enzo is if not better but haye has one fight at HW left and the fans wanna see too big punchers and they will get that from those two. Bad luck for Cunningham but doesn't condemn Haye.

Oh and Gurov and Frag were both legitimate top 10 when Haye foght them.

Chambers2 · Post by **Chambers2** » 05 Mar 2008, 05:57

Haye said the only reason he's boiled down to have another fight at Cruiser (against Enzo), is because he doesn't expect it to be a long fight, so stamina shouldn't come into it. Whereas he knows a battle with the USS Cunningham could well be a long drawn out affair.

Haye's done at this weight in 4 days time, then the Heavies can all look out, there's a new kid on the block (HANG TOUGH!!!)

ALI · Post by **ALI** » 05 Mar 2008, 06:24

I watched Cunningham's fights against Wlodarczyk and i'll say on the back of those performances, i dont rate him much. He's a light puncher and overall just looked weak to me, i'd predict Haye to blow him away early.

Saying that, he's definate'ly a legit challenger. But Haye has made it clear for a very long time thats he's moving up to heavyweight. He did not have to stay for the Mcanarelli fight, but he did, and he done it for us, the fans. So fcuk Cunningham, he may be a legit challenger, but he's absolute'ly no reason for Haye to delay his imminent move up to heavyweight.

Autobarn · Post by **Autobarn** » 05 Mar 2008, 06:55

Can't help thinking Cunningham has taken it the wrong way.

Steve isn't prone to trash talking and probably doesn't understand Haye's situation in that he's a drained cruiser ready to move up.

Cunningham had a great win over Huck in German recently. But he was terrible vs Wlodarczyk in two fights. Cunningham moans that he was robbed the 1st time, yet everyone says he was lucky to beat Guillermo Jones and some ppl in South Africa had Rothmann beating Cunningham.

Cunningham is about 4 years older than Haye, so it stands that Cunningham would have fought more world class opponents.

Haye has KO'd two top ten cruiserweights. After Sat, he may have KO'd three top ten cruisers if all go well.

sharpei_louis · Post by **sharpei_louis** » 05 Mar 2008, 07:08

I wouldn't lose any sleep over it. If Haye hangs around for every next CW challenger who wants a pop at him as unified champ he'll never move up to HW. It speaks volumes about their status that Cunningham is demanding Haye hangs around at CW - he obviously needs Haye more than Haye needs him.

Poncey · Post by **Poncey** » 05 Mar 2008, 08:12

IMO Cunningham is currently the second best Cruiser out there as his resume is better than Enzo's.

Steve has fought on foreign soil several times and I was especially impressed with his determination to beat Krysztof in the rematch, espeically in round 4.

He's not flashy, but he gets the job done, just.

lvlarc · Post by **lvlarc** » 05 Mar 2008, 08:30

I guess Cunningham feels he's in a position where he has to make this noise to be recognised, with all this hype surrounding Haye vs Macca for the undisputed title. He boxed brilliantly vs Huck, would never have guessed a stoppage win for Steve.

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 05 Mar 2008, 08:43

Yeah, Cunnigham and Jones are good fighters who deserve a crack at the main fighters.... really the only two - with Matt Godfrey coming through nicely.

Max Molyneux · Post by **Max Molyneux** » 05 Mar 2008, 08:49

Hasn't Jones moved up to Heavyweight anyway?

Halfamill · Post by **Halfamill** » 28 Apr 2008, 20:03

Any chance of this fight happening?

josh fg · Post by **josh fg** » 28 Apr 2008, 20:27

Halfamill wrote:Any chance of this fight happening?

Non what ever Haye showed himself to be No. 1 at cruzer and will be fighting a top 10 HW next time out, he's been putting on weight in training since Enzo.

Stocks · Post by **Stocks** » 29 Apr 2008, 03:55

josh fg wrote:
Halfamill wrote:Any chance of this fight happening?
Non what ever Haye showed himself to be No. 1 at cruzer and will be fighting a top 10 HW next time out, he's been putting on weight in training since Enzo.

And he became a father yesterday!

josh fg · Post by **josh fg** » 29 Apr 2008, 04:23

Stocks wrote:
josh fg wrote:
Halfamill wrote:Any chance of this fight happening?
Non what ever Haye showed himself to be No. 1 at cruzer and will be fighting a top 10 HW next time out, he's been putting on weight in training since Enzo.
And became a father yesterday!

That comment makes literally no sence to me!