Following his heavy defeat to Zolani Tete on Saturday night at Wembley Arena Jason Cunningham has released a statement saying he is ‘gutted but healthy’.
The 32-year-old jumped from British and European competition to take on the former two-weight world champion. However, ‘The Iceman’ found Tete too hot to handle with the South African’s skills and power overwhelming Cunningham leading to a fourth-round knockout which saw the Brit’s head thud off the canvas as he landed.
WOW! 😱
Zolani Tete defeats Jason Cunningham in explosive fashion in the fourth round! 💨
Jason Cunningham looks to be ok.#JoyceHammerpic.twitter.com/V1Vtidul8s
— Boxing on BT Sport 🥊 (@BTSportBoxing) July 2, 2022
After medical attention Cunningham was thankfully back on his feet but devastated by the defeat. In a statement posted on twitter he said:
“I believed I was good enough and I’m here to test myself not play it safe”
“I wasn’t good enough it’s as simple as that. I’ve accomplished everything from the very bottom to the European title.”
“This (world) level is all that was left to go against. There’s easier fights than Tete but the opportunity was there and I’m not here to shy away.”
The loss to Tete was the seventh in Cunningham’s career but had been on a three year and seven-fight winning streak which brought him British, Commonwealth and European titles. It was a remarkable turnaround in fortunes and one of British boxing’s feel-good stories.
After thanking those who had sent messages of support and concern Cunningham had some words for those sending negative comments his way.
“The haters are coming out I’ve noticed. You guys have been my motivation for years.”
“Keep it going. What I’ve achieved so far can never be taken away.”
Cunningham now says he will take time to have a rest before meeting with promoter Frank Warren and the rest of the team to decide what is next for him.