By Mark Vester

In a very close contest at the Torwar Sport Hall in Warsaw, Poland , Krzysztof Wlodarczyk (37-1, 27KOs) won a split-decision over previously undefeated Steve "U.S.S." Cunningham (19-1, 10KOs) of America, to win the vacant IBF cruiserweight title.

Observers were split over which fighter actually won, and so were the judges. Neither fighter had a clear advantage in any of the rounds, neither fighter was able to hurt the other, although Wlodarczyk was the more aggressive of the two men.

The scoring by the official judges shows just how difficult the rounds were to score. One judge had it 119-109 for Cunningham, giving the American fighter almost every round of the fight. The other two judges saw it for Wlodarczyk, one scored it 116-112, while another had it 116-113.

Oktay Urkal (38-3, 12KOs) kept marching towards a title shot by destroying Robert Cristea in three rounds. Urkal put Cristea down to the canvas on four occasions before the contest was stopped.

Ukral is the mandatory challenger to the WBA welterweight title, and is set to face the winner of the upcoming December 2 clash between undefeated Puerto Rican fighters Miguel Cotto and Carlos Quintana.