Fight of the Month: Steve Cunningham vs Tomasz Adamek

by Brent Brookhouse on Dec 12, 2008 12:08 PM EST in Events Comment 38 comments

There are still some big MMA shows to go this month. But any fight is going to have a hell of a time topping last night's boxing war between Steve Cunningham and Tomasz Adamek. This was a bout for the Ring Magazine and IBF Cruiserweight Championship between two guys who presented a bit of a classic contrast. Adamek wants to walk you down and punish you while Cunningham wants to use his 80+ inch reach to keep outside and land power shots once he starts to blind you with it.

The cruiserweight division is very good for delivering these kind of action fights as you have guys who are big enough to throw bombs but who don't gas after four rounds.

So since some of you have asked for fights and fighters to watch in the current boxing landscape...here you go:

The rest of the fight is in the extended entry. The fight starts to go nuts after the first round.

Part 2:

Part 3:

Part 4:

0 recs | Comment 38 comments

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I hate to be the one to say it but....

Who? vs Who?
And this is for a title?

Ok I’m done making fun

by Discman2 on Dec 12, 2008 12:16 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

This was #1 vs. #2 cruiserweights GOING AFTER IT. I highly , highly recommend this fight to anyone. Brent and I were IMing each other last night as this was on and he can tell you how crazy I was going when this was on. Breen loved it, too.

by Luke Thomas on Dec 12, 2008 12:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I enjoyed it. Better than many other boxing matches I’ve seen.

Although one guy could’ve had the other guy in a guillotine a couple of times. Yeah, transitioning from MMA to boxing is harder than boxing to MMA.

by cyph on Dec 12, 2008 12:26 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

There is a point I would like to make off of that. The reason that guys give up position for a move that is illegal, is that it is in fact illegal. I mean, in boxing guys punch from close range because you can’t kick. In muy thai guys spend a lot of time with one leg up kicking because you can’t go for a takedown (I know you can its just not the objective). In BJJ guys pull guard because you can’t punish them in the part that they lead with, there groin. I think we all under play the role of rules in combat sports, but I think the key to appreciateing MMA or Boxing is to know the rules and techniques for making the most of them.

Sorry, a little off topic. Not directed at cyph, your post just got me thinking.

by szucconi on Dec 12, 2008 1:05 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

You know it's good...

when the announcers are losing their voices.

Contributing Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.

by Brent Brookhouse on Dec 12, 2008 12:28 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I was just poking fun at the fact that to a casual boxing fan such as myself I have never heard of either guy.

Maybe thats more a joke on myself than the actual state boxing is in. But lets just ignore that…

by Discman2 on Dec 12, 2008 3:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Not enough finishes in boxing.

by KneeToTheFace on Dec 12, 2008 1:07 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Less than a week...

after the “too many one sided blowout KO’s” talk on the DLH/Pacquiao card no less…

Contributing Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.

by Brent Brookhouse on Dec 12, 2008 1:10 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

There’s always someone trying to squeeze a lemon.

by Luke Thomas on Dec 12, 2008 1:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

sometimes, when life gives you lemons, you have to say, “fuck the lemons” and bail.

I really enjoy fights in MMA that go the distance. I don’t generally enjoy boxing matches that go the distance, but I realize that is because I don’t fully understand, yet, the chessmatch that is going on. It has to be a barn burnner for me to be interested, but the same can be said for new MMA fans.

by szucconi on Dec 12, 2008 1:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Did you like this fight?

by Luke Thomas on Dec 12, 2008 1:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I am at work and don’t have the time too right now, but it is on my to do list for tonight. I am acctually pretty excited abut watching it. Does anyone know if vs. is going to replay it any time soon. I will record it and burn a DVD. I also have plans to watch two HBO fights this weekend, the KLITSCHKO fight and the pacman-dlh replay that I think will be coming on, but I am not sure.

by szucconi on Dec 12, 2008 1:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah...

Pac/DLH replay will be shown before the Klitschko fight.

As far as Vs. replays I don’t know. There isn’t one tonight but I’m sure they’ll replay it at some point.

Contributing Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.

by Brent Brookhouse on Dec 12, 2008 1:57 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

BE should do a Combat Corner feature that highlights upcoming events in non-MMA combat sports. Like boxing, grappling, wrestling, kick boxing and muy thai, ect. I would like to know when they are coming up, but I don’t have the energy to follow them as closely as MMA. Something like Brent telling everyone he is excited about a fight coming on and we might want to catch it on vs. I mean I could have been watching it instead of doing laundry and falling asleep last night.

by szucconi on Dec 12, 2008 2:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I’m curious to hear your thoughts on this fight after it’s over. Let us know.

by Luke Thomas on Dec 12, 2008 2:00 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

which fight? The fight at the top? Klitschko?

by szucconi on Dec 12, 2008 2:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

adamek vs. cunningham

by Luke Thomas on Dec 12, 2008 2:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Fantastic fight on every level, but I don’t think I will ever be a huge boxing fan. This was boxing at its best and I really enjoyed it, but I would rather cherry pick great fights after the fact then sit through the more subtle mundane action. This fight was great because of the lack of defence and the back and forth each round. I would tune in for the rematch in a heartbeat, but MMA provides more explosive action because the fighters are less specialized. The length of the matches kind of turns me off, but this match was so close that it kept my attention. There is something about the feeling out process that having a lot of rounds chnages the dynamic of the first few rounds. It puts less pressure on the fighters in the begining to engage and forces them to work smart and feel out the other guy for later rounds.

In MMA people are always shouting about Pride rules over ten point must, but boxing could never adopt this. For me, would prefer less, but longer rounds. It would put more presure on the fighters to win the round and make the most out of conditioning and fighters would have time to get past the feeling out in the early rounds and get into a rhythm sooner. Now I am really pumped to watch Klitschko this evening, on DVR delay because I know it was early.

by szucconi on Dec 13, 2008 7:22 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Nicely put...

you give the sport a fair chance and admit that it (for the most part) isn’t your thing. Which is totally fair and respectable. The Klitschko fight tonight was bunk though…

Contributing Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.

by Brent Brookhouse on Dec 14, 2008 12:28 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I get that it was a mismatch and I wasn’t disapointed. I still want to know when good fights that I should keep an eye out for are going to happen. I feel like if I am going to be a boxing fan that I need some guidance to sift through the crap. In case you can’t tell I really want to be a boxing fan to expand my knowledge.

by szucconi on Dec 14, 2008 1:54 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Check out the Torres vs Holt Rubber Match

On Showtime. Torres vs Holt II was the round of the year. Yes a title fight that was all of 1 round but it was fucking awesome.

by skwirrl on Dec 13, 2008 12:15 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

AHHHH SHIIIEETT

I just saw that Holt will be fighting somebody different – Demetrius Hopkins, Bernard’s little cousin. Demetrius is a strong prospect with a record of something like 23 -0 – 1. Should make for a good fight. Will be a huge test for Hopkins and Holt certainly isn’t infallible as his chin has been proven to be less than iron previously

by skwirrl on Dec 13, 2008 12:21 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah,

it’s a nice fight on paper.

Contributing Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.

by Brent Brookhouse on Dec 13, 2008 12:49 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

NIce

This was an awesome fight! I am glad you guys have mentioned it here. Both these guys were willing to risk getting KO’d in order to land big shots and win. That is what makes an exciting fight IMO.

"Stop smiling you are about to be punched in the face !"

by Warhand on Dec 12, 2008 1:36 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Good Fight! Thanks for sharing. Adamek has a lot of heart!

by poopooplatter on Dec 12, 2008 3:29 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

wow!

it took me almost all day (im at work) but what a great fight. Either Adameck has one hell of a chin or cunningham doesn’t have alot on his punches. They need a Rematch as soon as possible.. Thanks for posting the vids guys

by asmiley420 on Dec 12, 2008 4:27 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

It's both...

Cunningham is a volume punching guy, he doesn’t have a lot of “one punch KO power” but if he catches you clean he can put you down. Adameck’s chin is pretty damn solid though…as in REALLY solid. The sad thing is you could see that Cunningham hurt him to the body on at least 2 different body shots but he didn’t stay downstairs…just like he didn’t use his reach and a stiff jab. I like his chances in the rematch honestly.

But Adameck deserves a lot of credit.

Contributing Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.

by Brent Brookhouse on Dec 12, 2008 5:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

i agree. I can definately see where Cunningham needs to focus more on if they have a rematch. When he jabbed consistantly he was able to land some clean rght hands. Adameck’s pressure really threw him off though. It forced him to fight on the ropes alot, and it was pretty obvious he wasn’t comfortable fighting there.

by asmiley420 on Dec 12, 2008 6:32 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

That was pretty good, but it is hard to watch after binging on MMA for so long. The one guy was letting punches glance off him like nothing. Reminds me of Shields’ last match against the British guy (who took elbows on the ground and laughed at him with his tongue out).

by Dooda on Dec 12, 2008 4:43 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Paul "Semtex" Daley

Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better. -Samuel Beckett

by themachiavellian on Dec 12, 2008 6:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Good to see some boxers willing to throw down.

by Benicio on Dec 12, 2008 6:39 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

CompuBox stats for Adamek W 12 Cunningham

Nice to see a boxing post on the site…check out compuboxonline.com for round by round stats from Adamek-Cunningham as well as all the latest mma CompuStrike stats…thanks…Bob Canobbio, CompuBox/CompuStrike

by compubox on Dec 12, 2008 11:22 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Thanks for swinging by Bob!

Feel free to chip in with interesting number stuff from you guys and opinions any time!

Contributing Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.

by Brent Brookhouse on Dec 13, 2008 12:49 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Stop by anytime, but I think it’s safe to say we cover boxing more than any other prominent MMA website out there. Come back and we’ll prove it to you. Thanks for stopping by.

by Luke Thomas on Dec 13, 2008 9:57 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Truth

by skwirrl on Dec 13, 2008 6:38 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm thinking if Cunningham had on

Reyes gloves instead of Grant gloves we might have seen Adamek go down a time or two…. For the MMA fans in here that probably doesn’t mean anything to you, (Reyes are known as the punchers glove because they are less padded but you’re more prone to hand injury, Grant gloves are generally used more by boxers to protect their hand with the high volumn of punches they are throwing.) Cunningham uses Grant but with some of the shots he landed in this fight a less padded glove might have been the difference. Your thoughts Brent?

You agree Brett?

by skwirrl on Dec 13, 2008 1:00 AM EST reply actions 0 recs