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The recent bout between Steve
Cunningham and Tomasz Adamek was one of
those special boxing moments when
everything seems to come together
perfectly. Two exciting, gutsy and
well-matched warriors with opposing styles
put it all on the line not just for the
title but also for the fans and really for
the entire sport.
The two men may have been fighting in
New Jersey, close to Cunningham's roots in
Philadelphia, but for all intents and
purposes the fight may as well have taken
place in Warsaw or Krakow, the Polish fans
of Tomasz "Goral" Adamek dominating the
excited crowd. Cunningham, who spent the
previous several years of his career on
the road, traversing Europe for a chance
at big fights and a fair shot (he was
largely viewed as being robbed of the
title in his only other previous loss, to
Krzysztof Wlodarczyk), would not be
deterred by an unfriendly and hostile
arena.
Rather, this was his chance to hit the
big time, "U.S.S." was finally back in the
U.S., live on American TV, defending his
title. The slick boxer could have played
it safe, circling the ring and doubling or
tripling up on a quick jab to keep the
hard charging Adamek at a distance. But
that would be the easy way out. Cunningham
knew this was his shot, and he came out
swinging. The strategy ultimately cost him
his title, but in the process may have
secured for himself better opportunities
in the future, awakening the public not
just to his own potential and ability, but
to that of the overlooked but talent rich
cruiserweight division. If only he could
get a shot at a redemption with a rematch.
This wasn't the first time two great
cruiserweights put on a memorable, fast
paced and ferocious pugilistic battle. In
the brief history of the division, there
has been a legacy of great fights. And
indeed, the best cruiserweight fights of
all time were often followed with a
rematch.
Evander Holyfield, still toiling away
in the heavyweight ranks today, helped to
put the cruiserweight division on the map
with his two wars with Dwight Muhammad
Qawi over twenty years ago. The first
match was a barn burning classic that
pitted the still relatively green
Holyfield against the tough nosed former
light heavyweight champ, formerly known as
Dwight Braxton. Holyfield escaped with a
split decision victory, bringing home the
title in just his 11th pro fight. When
they met a year and a half later,
Holyfield with another five fights of
experience and Qawi that much more aged,
Holyfield dismantled his foe in just a few
devastating rounds.
Just several years ago, O'Neil Bell and
Jean Marc Mormeck partook in their own
series of grueling struggles. Ringing in
the New Year as only boxing could, the two
first met in January of 2006 in a
unification bout. The hulking Mormeck
seemed to be battering Bell, although both
men were dishing out punishment.
Ultimately Bell was able to come back from
the brink to finish Mormeck in the 10th
round. A year later, Mormeck exacted his
revenge, winning a unanimous decision on
his home turf in France.
Outside of the cruiserweight division,
some of the most exciting fights in recent
years have been rematches and epic
trilogies that have brought attention to
once overlooked divisions. Israel Vazquez
and Rafael Marquez have made the 122 lb
super bantamweight division a premium
destination. Erik Morales and Marco
Antonio Barrera brought attention to the
featherweight ranks, as has Manny Pacquiao
in his battles with both men, as well as
his two fights with Juan Manuel Marquez.
There's no guarantee that a rematch of
a great fight will produce the same
fireworks as the first match. But some
fighters are destined to bring out the
best of their opponent. And when two
contrasting styles, possessed by men with
such heart and grit as Adamek and
Cunningham, meet each other in the ring
there could be little chance for
disappointment.
It's time now to continue on with the
tradition of epic cruiserweight rematches,
and as fans and followers of the sport of
boxing it's something we must clamor for.
After all, boxing fans have a greater
power than fans of any other sport.
Detroit Lions fans can boycott games, but
their schedule won't be made any easier or
tougher next year as a result. But with
boxing, our dollars directly lining the
pockets of promoters, matchmakers and
sanctioning bodies that can pick and
choose which fights to create, we can have
a direct impact on choosing what we want
to see.
If the boxing public demands that a
fight be made, all of those eyes equaling
all of those dollars, it's something that
cannot be ignored. Steve Cunningham and
Tomasz Adamek thrilled us with their first
encounter, another glorious night forever
etched into our memories. Now let's return
the favor to them by demanding a rematch.
For them, a big payday and another shot at
boxing immortality await. And for us?
Well, we get to do what boxing fans do
best; take in a great fight and keep it
stored in our minds for years to come,
eager to share with anybody who wasn't
fortunate enough to see it for themselves.
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