Steve USS Cunningham interview

At the moment, Philadelphia only has one recognized world champion. No, it is not Bernard Hopkins, it's Southwest Philly's Steve "USS" Cunningham who recently won the IBF version of the Cruiserweight title in May of 2007. But with the cruiserweight division generating little interest and the more talented fighters hailing from overseas, USS has been forced to truly show that he is a "world" champion by having to fight in lands such as Poland & South Africa. He is at it once again, this time ready to defend his title on December 29th, 2007 against the undefeated Marco Huck (19-0, 14ko's)in Huck's home land of Germany. USS took some time to reflect on his rise from a kid fighting in the Philly streets to a championship caliber professional boxer and life outside of the ring.

PK: Steve, thanks for your time as you get ready to leave for Germany. I have to ask, are you getting a little tired of having to do all this travelling even though you are considered one of the best boxers in the business?

USS: Well it's all in God's hands. I know I can handle myself with the best in the world so I am not afraid to go overseas to defend my title. I fought in Poland before twice and now its off to Germany to defend my title so I am going to do what I have to do. This time I am going to enjoy myself in the ring and enjoy the experience outside of it too.

PK: Why do you think the Cruiserweight division gets no love from the main stream networks that televise boxing? There have been some really good fights there but not one spot on TV.

USS: I really don't know man, I think they are really missing out on a very talented exciting division. The talent is top notch and the fights are competitive. I think a lot of it has to do with most of the top guys being from Europe right now with Wlodarcwyk, Enzo & Haye to name a few but the Americans have a good batch of young fighters who are on their way. To go along with me being the IBF champion you also have Jonathan Banks coming up, Darnell Wilson and some others coming up through the ranks. We will see what happens in the future because I think they are missing out on good, exciting fights.

PK: Stepping back a little bit, since this site is based on Philly boxing, tell us a little bit about where you are from.

USS: I was born in North Philly, lived in Logan and West Philly for a while but I mostly grew up in Southwest Philly around 57th & Hatfield. I went to Bartrum High then graduated from Germantown High.

PK: You come from the streets on Philly and have gone on to become a world champion. Was boxing a sport you were always involved in growing up?

USS: Fighting in the streets and in school was my thing when I was young. I was always the new kid and usually had to prove myself in the new neighborhood because I moved around lot. Once I got a little older I realized that I had to stop. There came a point where I decided that it was time to settle down and become a respectable guy. I joined the Navy and put my faith in God, he showed me the way. Now I am ready to go overseas to defend the title.

PK: When did you make the transition from the streets to the ring?

USS: The first time I boxed was when I was in the Navy. I was actually on the same base as the Navy boxing team. At first, I lied and told everyone that I boxed back home. They believed me because they knew that Philly guys can fight and I was basically running off of that rep. I started training and my first amature fight was against the Navy's Light Heavyweight champ and I beat him. This guy had something like 60 amateure fights at the time. I had success in the amatueres, in 1998 I won the National Golden Gloves. I was based in Virginia for a while and I went on to become the VA state and regional champ.

PK: Who does your team consist of now?

USS: My trainer is Anthony Chase who I know from the Navy. He is originally from New York and now lives in Florida. I also train with Buddy Osborn who has a gym in Kensington called Rock Ministry.

PK: I have heard some interesting things about the Rock Ministry and saw some video but never had the opportunity to go there. Can you tell us a little about it?

USS: Buddy is going great things down there at the Rock Ministry. It is a gym where he trains the kids and teaches them how to fight but there is so much more going on. He helps keep them off the streets, has Bible studies and helps bring God into their life. It is great for the community and gives kids an alternative to getting in trouble while establishing a strong relationship with Christ.

PK: Have you always been a fighter of faith?

USS: I was raised in the church but as a kid I really didn't realize what it was all about. Some kids can realize the significance of it but I wasn't one of them. When I was a kid I was as wild as they come. It was when I got older I began to build a relationship with God. When it hit me, it really hit me hard.I gave my life to Christ and ever since good things have happened for me.

PK: Now here you are, IBF Cruiserwieght champion of the world. It came a little later than you expected. Last year you went to fight for that belt in Poland and ended up on the wrong end of a bad decision. You have said over and over again you won that fight. What was going through your mind when the decision was announced that Wlodarchek was the winner?

USS: Man, it was one of the things where I kind of knew what was coming when I went over to Poland but I still didn't really expect it to happen. I knew in that fight I broke him down, I worked harder than he did. They stole it from me, they did everything they could to take it away. They flat out cheated. Still to this day I know that he didn't beat me in the first fight.

PK: You got an immediate rematch and won this fight fair and square. Was it a little more sweeter getting the win the second time around?

USS: Oh yeah, after the first fight I came home even more determined. The media and a lot of people in the business were saying things like no way you can win a decision overseas, no way you will get a rematch and stuff like that. But like the Bible says, you can do anything you set your mind to and I showed the world this. Victory was that much sweeter the second time around.

PK: Once again, you are going overseas, this time to defend your title against the undefeated David Haye in his home turf of Germany. What are your thoughts on him?

USS: I was able to watch some tapes on him and I do think he is a decent fighter. My plan is to breaking him down. I am going to be like a mad scientist in there breaking him down to his last molecule.

PK: After this fight, what are your plans?

USS: Well I have to get past this one first but after this I will say that my goal is a unification fight, plain and simple. I think it is time it. I am coming home victorious and unification is definitely in my sights.

PK: I know you are pressed for time but I also wanted to say congratulations on your new business venture outside of the ring. How has the recent opening of "USS Pizza" coming along so far?

USS: Thank you, It is definitely a good thing for my family and the community. Things are still slowed up right now with the fight going on but when I get back I plan on giving it a real boxing theme. I want to put a TV in the lobby that will play my fights and fights of other guys coming through in Philly. When I get back were are going to have a little something like an official grand opening.


PK: Good luck Steve!




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