Navigation: Jump to content areas:


Pro Quality. Fan Perspective.
Login-facebook
Around SBN: Win or Lose, Boston Celtics' New Big 3 Era A Success

Yoan Pablo Hernandez vs Steve Cunningham Rematch Set For February 4

Steve Cunningham gets a chance to become a four-time cruiserweight titlist on February 4. (Photo by Christof Koepsel/Bongarts/Getty Images)

Sauerland Event has booked the IBF-mandated rematch between Yoan Pablo Hernandez and Steve Cunningham for February 4 in Frankfurt, Germany, ESPN.com's Dan Rafael reports.

The first fight between the two on October 1 was highly controversial, as referee Mickey Vann stopped the bout after six rounds on the advice of the ringside physician. The cuts Cunningham had suffered, due to a headbutt, were really not affecting his ability to fight, and the IBF ruled that the stoppage was incorrect as the physician had said the fights might interfere with Cunningham, not that they actually were interfering.

Scores for the fight were 59-54, 58-55, and 56-57, giving Hernandez (25-1, 13 KO) a technical split decision win. The scores, too, were called into question, particularly the absurd 59-54 card for Hernandez. At the time of stoppage, Bad Left Hook had it 57-56 for Cunningham, who had rallied to take over the fight after a first round knockdown, and seemed on his way to victory as Hernandez began to fade.

Star-divide

Cunningham (24-3, 12 KO) is 35 years old and definitely starting to slide a little bit, but is still a top cruiserweight, as is Hernandez. With Marco Huck planning to test the waters at heavyweight, the fight has as good an argument as any for the best bout that can be made in the division.

On the undercard, the vacant European cruiserweight title will be contested, as Enad Licina (21-3, 11 KO) meets Alexander Alexeev (22-2, 20 KO). Alexeev is one of the division's biggest punchers, and if he's gotten himself righted, could once again become a truly dangerous contender in the division.

European light heavyweight champ Eduard Gutknecht (22-1, 9 KO) will also be in action, facing Vyacheslav Uzelkov (25-1, 16 KO). American fans may remember Uzelkov from a disappointing Friday Night Fights appearance against Beibut Shumenov in summer 2010. He's gone 3-0 against nobodies since that fight.

The card will be televised in the United Kingdom via BoxNation, assuming Sauerland's deal with Frank Warren continues.

Comment 5 comments  |  0 recs  | 

Do you like this story?

Comments

Display:

Out of all the ABC bodies, I have to admit I don’t dislike the IBF the most. There isn’t as much bullshit and asks for rematches when they are needed and don’t kiss ass to certain fighters.

"Boxing is dirty," said Casamayor. " The day I’m not ready to be a dirty fighter is the day I don’t fight anymore because it will mean that I have no heart for it anymore."

by Zocalo on Dec 19, 2011 2:23 AM EST reply actions  

They also don’t have 7 titles in each weight class and I can’t remember any unrightful stripping of titles. Also, they don’t seem to cater to any one specific fighter like the WBC does with several Mexican fighters and the WBA does with anybody with even the semblance of a rich pocket.

by Radu on Dec 19, 2011 4:29 AM EST up reply actions  

My understanding is that ever since they came under the observation of the Feds, they’ve had no choice but to run a tight ship.

by Tokyos on Dec 19, 2011 7:58 AM EST up reply actions  

I think you’re right…………the Feds came down hard on the IBF, and now they are placing nice.

Unfortunately, the Feds don’t have any jurisdiction over the WBC/WBA crooks.

by DPlainview on Dec 19, 2011 8:40 AM EST up reply actions  

this

Bad Left Hook
"To the town of Agua Fria rode a stranger one fine day..."

by Scott Christ on Dec 19, 2011 9:30 AM EST up reply actions  

Comments For This Post Are Closed


User Tools

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recent FanPosts

Zoom_2_small
Ward needs to leave SM, and SM needs him to leave
Reds_small
Ray Robinson And Cassius Clay, Together For The First Time
Buchanan
David Price and Seth Mitchell: How to Properly Develop a Heavyweight
Small
Sterioids in Boxing!!
Ali-frazier_small
Aaron Pryor vs Floyd Mayweather.
017_small
Adrien Broner - Real or Imitation
Small
Press Release: Top Rank purchases WBC
Buchanan
Is Boxing Dead?
Singleton04_small
It's Not if but When, they're fires stop burning
Reds_small
A Few Ballroom Bout Results

+ New FanPost All FanPosts >


Managing Editor

206480_10150226708710923_747385922_9037192_4017321_n_small Scott Christ

Editors & Moderators

Aki_hair_cropped_small Brickhaus

Boxing_icon_small Matt Miller

Profile_picture_small Brent Brookhouse

Ingo_small A.F.

Contributors

Henry_leeds_small Oli Goldstein

Chris_celletti_headshot_small Chris Celletti

Duran4-470x308_small Kory Kitchen

051_small Thomas Hill