[Albert Adomah]

Tyson Fury vs Steve Cunningham
IBF Heavyweight Eliminator
20th April, 2013 - The Theater, Madison Square Garden, New York, USA - Televised by NBC and Channel 5

London (Feb 20) Explosive 6'9" heavyweight contender and former unbeaten Irish, Commonwealth and British Heavyweight Champion Tyson Fury, 20-0, 14 KO's, will make his New York debut on Saturday afternoon, April 20th when he takes on former cruiserweight World Champion Steve USS Cunningham, 25-5, 12 KO's, at The Theater at Madison Square Garden.

This fight is an official IBF Heavyweight Voluntary Eliminator fight for the #2 position between #9, Tyson Fury and #12, Steve Cunningham. The winner will become #2 and must meet #1 or the leading available contender to establish the mandatory challenger for Heavyweight King Wladimir Klitschko. The fight will be broadcast at 4PM ET on NBC as a special 2 hour afternoon presentation of NBC Sports Fight Night.

"Cunningham's got all the tools; a former World Champion, good fighter, he's got a lot of skill. I'm looking to put on a devastating performance; the best of my career to date." said Fury. "I'm absolutely ecstatic to be fighting at Madison Square Garden; it goes back in history and I can't wait to put my name with a long list of Champions who have fought there - I'm a historian of boxing myself so this is definitely the pinnacle of my career so far.

Mick Hennessy, Hennessy Sports CEO, said, "I'm very proud to say that Tyson Fury's American debut is taking place at Madison Square Garden, New York, this is a dream debut in the US for Tyson as this fight is also being shown live on network TV (NBC). It just doesn't get any better than this.

Cunningham is ecstatic, "I'm looking forward to getting back in the ring on April 20th to face Fury. For the first time in my career I have a guy coming to my country to face me. I am certain he's never faced a fighter like me." He added, "What an amazing opportunity to fight in historic Madison Square Garden and return to NBC again. I am prepared to fight a great fight and come out with a victory."

Kathy Duva, Main Events CEO, "Giving Steve the opportunity to fight on NBC again - in a bigger venue for another shot at the #2 position in the IBF - after his controversial decision loss to Tomasz Adamek in December is what Main Events and Fight Night are all about.' Duva added, "Steve put on a fantastic performance against Adamek and deserves to be rewarded with this fight. We also get to introduce Tyson Fury, a young heavyweight contender, to the American public in a true crossroads match."

Tickets to the bout, starting at $25, will go on sale next week. Details to follow. The fight is promoted by Hennessy Sports and Main Events.

http://www.icontact-archive.com/YWZ707yTW5xQf3BOSz7jVBpYYJMtsy8R?w=1

 

[JamieC]

Good fight and good exposure, but lets have it right, its not at Madison Square Garden as such. Its like selling out Wembley...arena

 

[Bryn]

Great fight, better than Tony Thompson. :yep

 

[nufc_jay]

War Cunningham, Fury's such a talentless cunt

 

[tdw]

Good stuff

 

[kingkodi]

Excellent. I like Cunningham - he should ask a few questions of Fury.

 

[JFT96]

Not a bad fight at all. Although I still have my doubts about Cunningham at this stage of his career and his effectiveness vs. a true Heavyweight.

 

[adamcanavan]

cunningham is coming off what should be a win against adamek, who everyone said would be a good fight for fury, but as people have said hes yet to be tested against a real heavyweight. good fight mind

 

[faz]

Not a bad fight at all. Although I still have my doubts about Cunningham at this stage of his career and his effectiveness vs. a true Heavyweight.

I agree, it will be very interesting to see if Cunningham can cope with the size and power of Fury. If not then he could get slaughtered, but if he can handle it then he could definitely cause some big problems and pose some questions for Fury to answer. Good fight in my eyes.

 

[Nyanners :sad5]

Bet he loses.

 

[Roe]

The winner is meant to fight Pulev according to the Scene - http://www.boxingscene.com/cunningham-fury-now-title-eliminator-winner-faces-pulev--62570

:think Could be two tricky fights in a row for Fury then.

 

[allenko1]

Now we'll see what this Fury is about a little bit. Cunningham may want to get respect against this big man earlier than Adamek. And, shouldn't a 6'9'' guy go through a crusierweight? Good to see...

 

[Earl-Hickey]

Ah Pulev, David Price's daddy.

I like that fight for Fury.

 

[Roe]

 

[Ilesey]

I think Cunningham will provide a stiff test for Fury. It's by no means a gimmie, although I do expect Fury to win. With the winner to fight Pulev it seems we have some of the younger prospects earning their stripes.

 

[Thomas!!]

I'm pulling for Steve in this fight.

 

[kingkodi]

:lol: Fury really is a massive tool.

 

[NoMas]

another example of fury fighting someone smaller than him, a cruiserweight???

 

[Roe]

another example of fury fighting someone smaller than him, a cruiserweight???

I don't think he'd have many fights if he only fought 6'9 guys..

Cunningham's alright anyway. He beat Adamek last time out and although Adamek isn't anything special, it's still a solid enough win. And then when you consider they're looking at Pulev after (ok again he's a smaller heavy but still) it's not exactly an easy route for Fury.

 

[scribbs]

This fight is an official IBF Heavyweight Voluntary Eliminator fight for the #2 position between #9, Tyson Fury and #12, Steve Cunningham. The winner will become #2 and must meet #1 or the leading available contender to establish the mandatory challenger for Heavyweight King Wladimir Klitschko

IBF Rankings Posted on 11/2/2013

1 Kubrat Pulev Bulgaria
2 NOT RATED
3 Bryant Jennings United States
4 David Haye United Kingdom
5 Johnathon Banks United States
6 Ruslan Chagaev Uzbekistan
7 Alexander Ustinov Russian Federation
8 David Price England
9 Tyson Fury England
10 Alexander Dimitrenko Germany
11 Tomasz Adamek Poland
12 Steve Cunningham United States
13 Magomed Abdusalamov Russian Federation
14 Tony Thompson United States
15 Michael Sprott England

I have come to the conclusion this sport is no longer worth bothering with. Slowly over the years I have become disinterested in boxing due to corrupt rankings, numerous titles & rival promoters scuppering fights boxing fans want to see.

Over the last 4 years I have been mainly interested in the History of the sport but still kept up with the latest news & watching selective fights but I cannot be arsed anymore. What's the point in following a sport and delving into it's history if you've come to hate the sport you once loved.

I'm not knocking the fight itself but how the IBF(WBC & WBA are not immune either) are going about this. Is this fight really gonna elevate a fighter ranked 9 or 12 to the number 2 position which is not rated? :conf

Basically this will be my last post on this board for the foreseeable future, Boxing has finally lost all it's appeal to me :suicide