Adamek sinks USS Cunningham

Ademek: New champion

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Tomasz Adamek is the new IBF cruiserweight champion after he edged a points' decision against Steve Cunningham in New Jersey.

Two judges awarded the fight to Ademek, scoring the fight 115-112 and 116-110 in the Pole's favour, while the third gave the fight to defending champion Cunningham 114-112.

Adamek floored the American in the second, fourth and eighth rounds to become a two-weight world champion, having previously held the WBC light-heavyweight title.

"I'm champion. I'm very happy," Adamek said. "He has good punches but he is not strong."

Ademek dropped Cunningham with a left at the end of round two and followed it up with a short right to put the champion down for a second time in the fourth. The Pole then landed a big left hook to send the American - known as USS Cunningham - to the canvas again in the eighth.

And Cunningham, who had not fought for a year, admitted: "[There was] a little ring rust, but no excuses. Those flash knockdowns are what did it. It's my fault."

While Cunningham lost the IBF title, Ghana's Joseph Agbeko retained his bantamweight version of the belt with a majority decision over Nicaraguan southpaw William Gonzalez.

Two judges awarded the fight to the African 116-112, with the third scoring it as a draw at 114-114.