Naazim Richardson Now Training Steve ‘USS’ Cunningham For Title Challenge
The battle between two former Cruiserweight World Champions, Steve ‘USS’ Cunningham (IBF) and Wayne ‘Big Truck’ Braithwaite (WBC), is a hotly-anticipated event in itself, but when you add into the equation that the winner will earn the right to face current IBF kingpin Tomasz Adamek, in the mandatory defense of his IBF title later this year, you just know that it’s going to be one seriously exciting, all-action affair with “Fight of the Year” potential.
Now 32-year-old Cunningham has enlisted “Trainer of the Year” Brother Naazim Richardson, to prepare him for the fight. Philadelphian Richardson, one of the most astute trainers in the business today after coaching the magnificent victories of Bernard Hopkins over Kelly Pavlik and ‘Sugar’ Shane Mosley over Antonio Margarito – has been working with Cunningham since March this year, at The James Shuler Memorial Gym in West Philadelphia, as the former Cruiserweight king prepares for his IBF title eliminator against Braithwaite, which will be on the under card of the Joseph King Kong Agbeko-Vic Darchinian Bantamweight title fight on July 11th.
“Man, I have known Brother Naazim since the amateurs, I have always respected him and wanted to work with him, I’ve known for years what the boxing world is just now realizing, HE is the best trainer out there,” said Cunningham. “I am really excited to be working with him, going to the gym everyday is like going to college or something… I know his training will take me to the next level…. If you’ve liked watching my fights before..stay tuned…”