Cunningham to defend IBF Cruiserweight Title against Licina on February 12th from Germany:
Steve Cunningham (23-2, 12 KOs) will make a first defense of his IBF Cruiserweight Title in Mulheim, Germany on February 12 when he takes on mandatory challenger Enad Licina (19-2, 10 KOs). The clash was originally scheduled for January 22 but had to be postponed after IBF Middleweight Champion Sebastian Sylvester caught a virus infection, forcing Team Sauerland to cancel the entire card in Neubrandenburg. In the main event in Mulheim, Cuban cruiserweight sensation Yoan Pablo Hernandez (23-1, 12 KOs) will challenge WBA Interim Cruiserweight Champion Steve Herelius (21-1, 12 KOs).
Cunningham has returned to Philadelphia to continue his preparation. “The small delay is no problem for me,” the 34-year-old stated. “I will be in top shape. I think Licina is a good fighter. He is not to be underestimated, and he will not. He is the number one contender, this is a serious level of boxing and I take him and this fight very serious.”
Licina, who defeated Felix Cora Jr. in an eliminator in November, is also brimming with confidence. “I have performed very well in sparring,” he said. “That´s why I go into this fight with a lot of confidence. I know that a lot of people keep underestimating me and don´t think I can beat Cunningham. But everybody is beatable. Cunningham is a great champion but I will find a way to be victorious.”
