Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2008 - Verizon Tower at the Prudential Center – 11 a.m. Newark, New Jersey

NEWARK, N.J. - International Boxing Federation cruiserweight world champion Steve "USS" Cunningham and former world champion Tomasz Adamek foreshadowed their Dec. 11 meeting at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. at a press conference today at the one-year-old venue.

"I work very hard because boxing is my job," Cunningham, from Philadelphia, said.  "My goal is to be the greatest of all time.  I know it's a lofty goal but I want to the best I possibly can be.

"I want Adamek to bring his best on December 11 in Newark.  He's a family man like me but it's my job to put my hands on him and that's what I'm going to do.

"I'm a true world champion.  I've fought in South Africa, Germany and in Poland, twice.  I'm more popular in Europe than I am in America right now but that's about to change.  I want to give the world a true cruiserweight world champion that will stay in the division and defend his titles for years to come."

Adamek, from Poland now living and training in Jersey City, N.J., says he will bring his vaunted right-hand punching power from light heavyweight to the 200-pound limit.

"Steve's a nice guy but I'm going to beat him, Adamek, the IBF No. 1-ranked cruiserweight, said.  "He's a world champion and I respect him but I will win.  Steve's quick and dynamic.  It will be a great fight.

"It made me weak to make 175 pounds against Chad Dawson and I was still able to knock him down.  My right hand is bigger at cruiserweight.  I'll be stronger and carry my punch to the 200-pound limit."

The press conference was co-hosted by event promoters Don King Productions and Main Events.  Both Don King and Kathy Duva, as well as New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame President Henry Hascup, spoke of the fact this marks the first time since Tony Zale and Rocky Graziano met in Newark for the third and final time in 1948 that a world-championship boxing match has been staged in the city.

Full Quotes

Steve Cunningham:  "I do what I do because I'm born again through Jesus Christ.

"I would like Newark to know they have a great person in IBF President Marian Muhammad.  I went to box in Poland and got robbed.  She flew over for the immediate rematch to make sure it would be a fair fight.   She's all about the rules and giving fighters a fair shake.  The IBF will only be better with the addition of Larry Hazzard.

"I work very hard because boxing is my job.  My goal is to be the greatest of all time.  I know it's a lofty goal but I want to the best I possibly can.

"I want Adamek to bring his best on December 11 in Newark.  He's a family man like me but it's my job to put my hands on him and that's what I'm going to do.

"I'm a true world champion.  I've fought in South Africa, Germany and in Poland, twice.  I'm more popular in Europe than I am in America right now but that's about to change.  I want to give the world a true cruiserweight world champion that will stay in the division and defend his titles for years to come."

Tomasz Adamek:  "Steve's a nice guy but I'm going to beat him.  He's a world champion and I respect him but I will win.  Steve's quick and dynamic.  It will be a great fight.

"It made me weak to make 175 pounds against Chad Dawson and I was still able to knock him down.  My right hand is bigger at cruiserweight.  I'll be stronger and carry my punch to the 200-pound limit."

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