Adamek vs. Arreola: Old School Slobberknocker

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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Adamek Edges Estrada In Newark

Ready or not, you can't really complain about Tomasz Adamek (40-1, 27 KO) most recent decision to fight against Chris Arreola in April. Based on Adamek's performance tonight, it should be a thriller, a back-and-forth tug of war, finally (for Adamek) on American TV.

The two-weight world champion continued his rise to contender status as he won a hard-fought decision win over Jason Estrada (16-3, 4 KO) in front of a noisy crowd predominantly Adamek fans in Newark.

Adamek opened-up a wide lead in the first half of the bout, quickly underlining the vast difference in class by dominating Estrada's soft body. The early rounds were fairly even, but as the fight progressed, Adamek's dominance was quite clearly visible.

But that's not the full story. Suddenly, Adamek ran out of steam at the end of the ninth allowing Estrada to creep back into the fight, reminding me of Carlos Tamara's upset win over Brian Viloria two weeks ago.

It wasn't to be for Estrada, but it did ring a few bells in Adamek's camp. Estrada clean sweeped the final three rounds to make the scorecards seem competitive, and rightly so as he definitely was no pushover in the early rounds.

Adamek's struggle makes Arreola favourite for me, although he did have the characteristics of a lower-weight fighter, feinting and moving, something clearly lacking from the heavyweight scene.

On the undercard, Peter Quillin (21-0, 15 KO) dominated Fernando Zuinga (28-10, 20 KO) to a wide ten-round unanimous decision. It doesn't portray the full story as Quillin was regularly caught napping by the experienced veteran as Zuinga constantly scored with right hands throughout the fight. Quillin lacked the fundamentals, but ring rust can be blamed as this was his first fight in 17 months.

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Adamek’s Long Road For Respect Continues

by Dafs117

Tomasz Adamek (39-1, 27 KO) is a familiar name for even the casual fans. Known for his incredible punch resistance and exciting style, the Pole has built quite a following in his adopted town of New Jersey.

After winning the bronze medal at the 1998 European Amateur Boxing Championships in Minsk, Belarus, losing out to Courtney Fry in the light heavyweight semi-final, Adamek decided to turn pro in 1999.

In four years time, Adamek had notched up 24 wins before the IBF handed him their Intercontinental title after he stopped Ed Dalton in two rounds. The WBO also took notice of ‘Goral’, as he had a connection with the WBO title following a fifth round demolition of Dzhabrail Dzhabrailov.

But it was the WBC who gave Adamek his first title shot. In 2004, Antonio Tarver was stripped of his belt for choosing to fight Glen Johnson rather than Paul Briggs, Adamek’s opponent.

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The BTBC Rumor Mill

by Dafs117

With everybody discussing potential match-ups for 2010, I thought it would be a good idea to give some inside knowledge into potential fights. And after talking to many little birds, I’ve rustled up 10 boxing rumors that could be in place for 2010, with everyone a potential scoop.

Robert Stieglitz vs. Edison Miranda (WBO Super Middleweight)
Two hard-hitting sluggers could battle it out shortly after New Year’s Eve

Tomasz Adamek vs. Hasim Rahman
The Pole will return on February 6 and Rahman is in pole position, followed by Sam Peter

Paulus Moses vs. Marco Antonio Barrera (WBA Lightweight)
Could Barrera become a 4 weight world champion against undefeated Namibian

Steve Cunningham vs. Matt Godfrey (IBF Cruiserweight)
An all American affair could be in place in February

Chad Dawson vs. Jean Pascal (WBC Light Heavyweight)
Dawson will not wait for Hopkins, so could he fight a very live underdog in Jean Pascal

Yhonny Perez vs. Fernando Montiel (WBC & IBF Bantamweight)
Montiel could turn to Perez in a unification fight in the Summer after Gorres injury

Miguel Cotto vs. Jose Luis Castillo
Two post-prime attacking styles could meet in a crossroads fight in April

Ricky Hatton vs. Juan Manuel Marquez
Pacquiao foes face off in the biggest bout for British boxing

Edwin Valero vs. Humberto Soto (WBC Lightweight)
With Antonio DeMarco not quite ready for a title shot, Soto could jump up to face Valero

Joshua Clottey vs. Kermit Cintron
Two former welterweight titlists could face off for an interim belt

5 Unrealistic Rumors
Alfredo Angulo vs. Kermit Cintron II
Timothy Bradley vs. Mike Alvarado
Yuriorkis Gamboa vs. Daniel Ponce de Leon
Michael Katsidis vs. John Murray
Antonio Margarito vs. Zab Judah

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Making Haye: The Rebirth of the Heavyweight Buzz

by Paul Magno

That buzzing noise you hear in the background has nothing to do with Manny Pacquiao's big win over Miguel Cotto or the continuation of the Super Middleweight Super 6 Tournament this weekend.

No, the sound is coming from the recently reborn Heavyweight division and the cause of the buzz is the UK's trash-talking, headline-making, recently crowned WBA World Heavyweight Champ, David Haye.

On November 7th, Haye took the title from the 7 ft tall Russian Giant, Nikolay Valuev, in a tepid performance that was later partially forgiven due to an apparent hand injury suffered by Haye early in the bout.

Lukewarm performance or not, it was a satisfying closing chapter to a frustration-filled year that saw Haye's plans for Heavyweight dominance get side-tracked due to issues outside the boundaries of the squared circle.

Now, with the dust barely settled after the Valuev dethroning, challengers are coming forward to take a shot at the mouthy Brit with the brand new belt.

First comes John Ruiz, though, who has somehow managed to work himself into position for yet another title shot despite not really having beaten anyone of note since his loss to Valuev back in August, 2008...but Ruiz is a topic for another article.

After Ruiz, the sky's the limit for Haye as promoters and fighters seem to be crawling over one another to get to the new champ.

Oscar De la Hoya, Haye's promotional partner in the United States, was on a nationally-televised talk show building Haye's street cred and proposing a fight with Chris Arreola in Las Vegas.

Promoter Cedric Kushner has been talking to Haye's people this week about a potential showdown with David Tua after the Ruiz bout.

Former Cruiserweight champ, Tomasz Adamek, has called Haye out as well.

Even 45-year old Light Heavyweight and future Hall of Famer, Bernard Hopkins, has expressed more than a passing interest in trying to snatch Haye's new championship.

Make no mistake about it, the rush of challengers for Haye is due to the fact that they see him as a marketable, yet supremely vulnerable, champ.

However, as the Klitschko brothers continue to dominate the division and will actually soon begin to move through recycled victims of prior defenses, Haye represents a fresh face and a chance at restoring some nail-biting intrigue to the Heavyweights.

For the sport's primary glamor division, any press is good press and the current buzz around David Haye is like a godsend.

Hopefully, Haye will be as good a champion as he is a talker.

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Where does Adamek go next?

by Dafs 117

Cruiserweight king Tomasz Adamek is coming off a crushing fifth round kayo victory over Polish icon Andrew Golota. In a new feature from the Boxing Tribune, we assess his current options and possible paths, judging fighters he should challenge, and the fighters he should definitely avoid.

Firstly, we estimate that Adamek’s long term goal is to eventually get a fight against a Klitschko. We then looked at who’s challenged Adamek, who’s in a position that Adamek would like to be and who Adamek needs to fight to kick off his heavyweight dream.

Headhunters:

Steve Cunningham: Leading the pack who has repeatedly voiced his cause for a rematch of their thriller last year, Steve Cunningham is the only real option at 200 pounds for Adamek. After knocking Cunningham down three times in their 12 round brawl, the Pole still only managed to scrape a split decision victory over the American. Cunningham out-boxed Adamek, similar to the way Chad Dawson did to claim the WBC light heavyweight title from Adamek, but the Pole convinced the judges that he was king at 200 pounds. If Adamek does decide to move down to cruiserweight, surely Cunningham is the only option. It’s a great bout with a lot of interest from fight fans. But if Adamek wants to enhance his reputation further, Steve Cunningham is not the guy to do it. Too much risk for so little award.

Steve Cunningham: AVOID

Eddie Chambers: After suffering a unanimous defeat to Alexander Povetkin over a year ago, Eddie Chambers has quickly regained his position as the top American heavyweight contender with stellar performances against Samuel Peter and Alexander Dimitrenko, both times winning decisions away from his hometown. As a boxer with a height advantage you would expect Eddie Chambers to outbox Tomasz Adamek early on but with Adamek’s pressure, Chambers will eventually lose the close rounds and surely it could make a compelling finish. With Chambers a name considered for a title shot by the WBO, he’s a name that Adamek should target soon if he wants the chance against a Klitschko.

Eddie Chambers: CHALLENGE

Alexander Povetkin: As he’s IBF’s top challenger, Tomasz Adamek would need to get past Alexander Povetkin to get his shot at Wladmir Klitschko in 2010. The Ukrainian throws about the same number of punches as Adamek over the course of the fight but Adamek is considered to be much quicker than Povetkin. Povetkin however will hold a slight advantage in the power stakes and with new trainer Teddy Atlas behind him, it will hard to see Adamek beating the Ukranian based on his recent performances. As Povetkin is considered to be the next best thing after the Klitschko’s, a victory would see Adamek probably be ranked as the third best heavyweight and set up a potential showdown with Wladmir Klitschko, the IBF heavyweight champion.

Alexander Povetkin: AVOID

Samuel Peter: Samuel Peter is trying to revitalize his career with Top Rank following a string of defeats that has seen him quickly fall down the pecking order with many leading organizations. The Nigerian Nightmare still possesses huge knockout power and will prove a stern test to Adamek’s discipline to not go and trade with the bulky Peter. I strongly feel that Adamek could easily tap dance around Sam Peter for 12 rounds and win a shutout decision. A big performance, with a stoppage victory, would probably see Adamek ranked in the top 10 at heavyweight. With Peter’s 30 pound weight advantage, Adamek would struggle to deal with Peter’s bombs if they can find their mark. Adamek would enhance his reputation with a victory over Peter, who is now surely past his monstrous prime.

Samuel Peter: CHALLENGE

Wladmir Klitschko: Don’t be stupid now Tomasz. Beating Andrew Golota hardly merits a title shot at Wladmir unless you’ve got the marketing brilliance and the mouth of David Haye. Adamek needs seasoning, experience and rounds at heavier weight against better class opponents before thinking about a Klitschko. However, the Klitschko’s aren’t stupid, and can see that Adamek is a long term threat. They’ll see that the sooner they face Adamek, the better and with the size advantage they will beat him so badly, we won’t see him at those heights again in the division. Why hasn’t Juan Carlos Gomez, another former Cruiserweight king, fought again after getting demolished by Vitali Klitschko? He hasn’t recovered, and frankly neither would Adamek.

Wladmir Klitschko: AVOID

The Boxing Tribune Pathway Too Success: You’ve got a year and a half to practice, probe and get yourself in the best possible mental condition for a battering against a Klitschko. We would start with a 10 round unanimous decision tap dance over Samuel Peter. Then move on to ranked contender Eddie Chambers and hopefully stun him into a close decision. By keeping busy in New Jersey against over the hill former contenders, Adamek would impress the bosses at K2 promotions and spot that Adamek is ready to get a beating. He gets his massive payday, gets pizza faced by jabs and notches a second defeat on his record.

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Adamek Stops Golota in 5

In Poland's biggest boxing contest ever, former IBF Cruiserweight champ, Tomasz Adamek showed his class and stopped four-time Heavyweight world title challenger, Andrew Golota, in the 5th round of their scheduled 12.

From the very beginning, Adamek's advantage in hand speed was obvious as he often got off two or three shots while Golota was still reacting to the first.

Golota was dropped with 46 seconds left in the first round and, despite a brief positive run in the third, was never really in the fight.

After stunning and dropping Golota in the middle of the fifth, Adamek applied more pressure and unleashed a barrage of punches that sent his larger opponent stumbling into the ropes. The ref had seen enough and called an end to the contest.

Adamek picks up the IBF International Heavyweight Title and unofficially gets handed the torch of being Poland's favorite fighter.

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Adamek Ditches IBF Cruierweight Title

IBF Cruiserweight Champ, Tomasz Adamek has officially vacated his title ahead of this Saturday's bout with fellow Polish star, Andrew Golota in Lodz, Poland.

Billed as The Polish Fight of the Century, Poland's biggest stars will now be fighting for the IBF International Heavyweight crown in a true crossroads bout for both fighters. Golota desperately needs a win to stay somewhat relevant while Adamek has burned his Cruiserweight bridges and must impress at Heavyweight.

This will probably lead to #1 ranked Steve Cunningham taking on #3 ranked Matt Godfrey for the vacant Cruiserweight title at some point in 2010 (The #2 spot is empty).

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Adamek vs. Gunn...Nigga, Please!

After one of the biggest title mismatches in the history of the Cruiserweight division, one question remains regarding the Tomasz Adamek-Bobby Gunn bout on Saturday: Why?

Why did the IBF see fit to sanction this farce as a World Title bout? Why Bobby Gunn? Why has Gunn, a D- club fighter, received two shots at a Cruiserweight title (The other being a one round blow-out loss to Enzo Maccarinelli)? Why did Tomasz Adamek choose to tarnish an otherwise stellar reign with this garbage? Why did people pay hard-earned money to buy tickets or order the fight via online PPV?

So many questions...

What's gospel, though, is that this human sacrifice was peddled to the public as a World Title defense when there are literally dozens of fighters more deserving than Gunn, even as tune-up defenses.

Brothers and Sisters, security camera footage of senior citizens being mugged would've been less of a mismatch than what I saw on Saturday.

IBF, Team Adamek..."Nigga, Please!"


Dedicated to the late, great Ol' Dirty Bastard, the heart and soul of the Wu Tang Clan, the "Nigga, Please!" award will be given to a fighter, event or situation that is just plain stupid enough to garner ODB's famous phrase of disgusted disbelief, "Nigga, Please!"

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The Weekend Hangover (July 10, 11, 12)

Friday, July 10th

Reno Events Center, Reno, Nevada, USA

Matt Remillard Ko 1 Tyler Ziolkowski

Jesse Brinkley UD 10 Mike Paschall

Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

Chris Henry TKO 6 Shaun George (George started strong, but couldn't take Henry's pressure)

Matt Godfrey UD 10 Shawn Hawk (World Class fighters shouldn't carry club fighters a full 10)

Saturday, July 11th

Nuerburgring race track, Nuerburg, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany

Sebastian Zbik UD 12 Domenico Spada

(Interim WBC Middleweight Title)

Felix Sturm UD 12 Khoren Gevor (Another pedestrian performance against questionable opposition for Sturm. Still, a very close win.)

(WBA Middleweight Title)

Palenque de Gallos, Tuxtla Gutierrez, Chiapas, Mexico

Julio Cesar Miranda KO 1 Eric Ortiz

(IBF Flyweight Eliminator)

Cristobal Cruz UD 12 Jorge Solis (Sloppy, Sloppy, Sloppy. A total of 6 points deducted!)

(IBF Featherweight Title)

Emperor's Palace, Kempton Park, Gauteng, South Africa

Lovemore N'dou UD 12 Phillip N'dou

Besiktas Cola Turka Arena, Istanbul, Turkey

Selcuk Aydin KO 9 Jackson Bonsu (Impressive performance. Is Aydin the best Euro Welter since Lloyd Honeyghan or just the best of a mediocre bunch?)

BankAtlantic Center, Sunrise, Florida, USA

Antonio DeMarco KO 9 Anges Adjaho (After a slow start, DeMarco gets the win and Adjaho gets the Oscar for his "he hit me when I was down" performance)

Steve Cunningham UD 12 Wayne Braithwaite

Joseph Agbeko UD 12 Vic Darchinyan (Agbeko was never thrown by Darchinyan's awkward ugliness)

(IBF Bantamweight Title)

Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey, United States

Curtis Stevens TKO 3 Piotr Wilczewski (The Polish fighter was 22-0, Stevens made him look 0-22. Easy night.)

Tomasz Adamek RTD 4 Bobby Gunn (Made Cotto-Gomez look like Gatti-Ward. Ugly, horrible, hideous...Shame on You IBF and Team Adamek)

(IBF Cruiserweight Title)

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The BTBC's "Picture This"

Journeyman Bobby Gunn is in training for his title fight against Cruiserweight king, Tomasz Adamek on July 11th. From this photo we can see that Gunn is going all out for this one...Apparently in a bid to be the bottom half of the most spectacular knockout of all-time. Keep reaching for the stars, Bobby!

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(Updated Throughout the Day)

Joshua Clottey Targets Paul Williams, Wants Him Next
Mayweather-Marquez May Get Pushed To September 19
Adamek issues hit list!
Cotto-Clottey: The Ringside Post-Fight Report Card
Dettloff: Morel's return
Pacquiao Orders Arum To Make Cotto Bout, Nov. 14
Cunningham vs. Braithwaite, IBF Eliminator on 7/11
Floyd Mayweather Jr vs Juan Mauel Marquez is Off!
Ray Mercer Knocks Tim Sylvia Out in Nine Seconds
Clottey's No Closer

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