Steve Cunningham

Steven “USS” Cunningham, born on July 15, 1976, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, began his journey in boxing at the age of 19 while serving in the U.S. Navy. His military service included tours on the USS America and USS Enterprise between 1994 and 1998, which inspired his boxing nickname. He quickly established himself, winning the National Golden Gloves 178 lb title in 1998 as an amateur. His professional boxing career commenced in 2000, marked by an initial 19-fight winning streak, demonstrating early promise in the cruiserweight division.

Cunningham achieved significant milestones in his professional career, becoming a two-time IBF Cruiserweight World Champion. He first captured the title in 2007 by defeating Krzysztof Włodarczyk in Poland and successfully defended it against Marco Huck in Germany in December of the same year. After losing and regaining the IBF title, he later moved up to the heavyweight division, where he notably knocked down Tyson Fury in their 2013 eliminator bout and secured the USBA Heavyweight Championship in 2014 by defeating Amir Mansour. His career spanned over two decades, concluding with a victory against former UFC Heavyweight Champion Frank Mir in 2021.

Beyond his achievements in the ring, Cunningham has been involved in advocacy work, notably joining Team Fight to Walk to promote stem cell research for spinal cord injuries. His active participation in the Team Combat League representing Philadelphia Smoke, alongside his roles as a boxing trainer and commentator, showcases his continued dedication to the sport. Cunningham’s career reflects a consistent pursuit of excellence and resilience, from his early days in the Navy to his championship boxing and current endeavors.