Boxer Steve ‘USS’ Cunningham talks about his battle to regain the cruiserweight title at Ringside Report. He also talks about his work with the great ‘Knock Out Dog Fighting’ organization. While there have been a number of high profile MMA fighters who are involved with the group including some of the biggest names in the sport like Tito Ortiz, Andrei Arlovski, Cung Le and Josh Thompson there aren’t as many boxing. Obviously we can’t commend Cunningham enough for his efforts and he mentions his involvement in the interview:

DH: Tell me about your concern about dogs and dog fighting.

We’ve got a shiztsu right now and a hound mix that I’ve had for about 9 years. I’ve always loved dogs and like it says on the website, “Dogs don’t have a choice, but we do.” That dog fighting is a ridiculous way of entertainment right there.

DH: What made you stand up about this as opposed to just not liking it?

Well we were contacted by this lady that runs the sight and she asked me if I loved dogs? We had a nice conversation and I said, “Yeah, totally.” Actually, at the time, I had 4 dogs, as my dog had puppies. She asked me to be a spokesman for my website. The website is: www.knockoutdogfighting.org, she’s got a few MMA guys that have stood up for this cause, some female fighters, and I did a little video. Any way that I can help. Any way that my being champion, or have being a champion, can help the world or somebody, kids, etcetera. If I can help, I’m part of the fellowship of Christian athletes…I go to schools, churches, camps, and just talk and mentor the kids. A lot of people want to hear from the champ, so I feel it’s my duty to do that type of thing. Anything that I can get involved in that helps someone, I will.

DH: So you stand up for what you believe in, is that right?

Exactly, you’re not a man if you don’t. I was raised in the church as a kid but I didn’t get serious about it until after I got out of the Navy, about 1999, 2000. I read this book about Hell called “Revelations of Hell” by Mary K. Baxter and that thing scared the “Hell” out of me. I know I don’t want to go to that place, and I’ve been working on perfection since.

Hard to add much to that, but lets highlight a few choice phrases–it would behoove any fighter, or professional athlete for that matter, to pay attention to these words:

Any way that I can help. Any way that my being champion, or have being a champion, can help the world or somebody, kids, etcetera. If I can help, I’m part of the fellowship of Christian athletes…I go to schools, churches, camps, and just talk and mentor the kids. A lot of people want to hear from the champ, so I feel it’s my duty to do that type of thing. Anything that I can get involved in that helps someone, I will.

Also important is his thoughts about standing up for what’s right:

Exactly, you’re not a man if you don’t.

In any case, Cunningham is a good dude and a solid fighter. Props to him for not only his work with the Knock Out Dog Fighting organization but his general world view. Props also to ‘Ringside Report’ for featuring him. It’s a good interview that talks about a wide range of fighting topics as well so go check it out:

Steve ‘USS’ Cunningham interview @ Ringside Report

Check out the Knock Out Dog Fighting website, and send them some money and/or love:

Knock Out Dog Fighting