by Paul Magno
According to nearly every credible source, the rumored Tomasz Adamek-Chris Arreola will cease to be a rumor in a matter of hours.
Apparently, contracts are signed, fighters are ready and all that's left is the official press conference to kick off the countdown to the proposed April 24th date. That official press conference is scheduled for tomorrow, February 19th, on Arreola's home turf of Southern California.
While this fight won't be as significant to the heavyweight division as Wladimir Klitschko-Eddie Chambers or, even, David Haye-John Ruiz, it will be the first time in a long time that fans are getting an evenly-matched, entertaining battle between two guys on the verge of being considered legit threats in the heavyweight division.
A good homework assignment would be to try and remember the last time we were treated to something as all-around good as Adamek vs. Arreola.
If you can come up with an answer, by all means post it in the comment section here because, honestly, I'm having a hard time coming up with anything in recent memory.
In any case, both fighters have a lot to lose on April 24th.
For Arreola, a loss represents a deeper hole for his career than the one he found himself in following his one-sided loss to Vitali Klitschko last year. A bad loss officially means journeyman status for the affable Mexican-American brawler.
For Adamek, a loss ends his experiment in the heavyweight division and sends him back to the lower-paying ranks of the cruiserweight division with his tail between his legs. The term "journeyman" at heavyweight could also be applied to an Adamek unable to get past a 260+ pound doorkeeper.
There's no way around it. This is a crucial fight for both warriors and neither has been one to shy away from a good, old school brawl.
The biggest question in this fight will be: Who the hell will be the betting favorite?
Adamek is the better-skilled and better conditioned of the two. He proudly carries the weight of Polish hopes and dreams on his shoulders and seems to be a better, more inspired fighter than the one who held the 175 lb. crown several years ago.
Arreola is the HBO-friendly fan favorite, really more charisma than substance, but always down for a brawl. Come fight night, Arreola could likely have a forty pound weight advantage aside from a natural edge in power and strength.
Right now, I'd be hard-pressed to give you a real prediction. The fight is that tight.
The only sure winners right now are the fans...and that's all that really matters.
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