Tomasz Adamek Readies For a Big Challenge

Added on Aug 21, 2010 by Brian Blake in

Boxing

Tonight Polish boxing sensation, Tomasz Adamek (41-1, 27 KOs) faces, literally, one of the biggest tests of his impressive career as he is set to take on “Big” Michael Grant (46-3, 34 KOs) at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, where Adamek has amassed a very loyal legion of fans.

“I am very excited to be back at Prudential Center. Every fight a couple thousand more people come to see me. Everybody knows me in NJ,” Adamek recently stated in a press conference to promote tonights event.

Over the course of the past year Adamek has become a very welcome and refreshing addition to the increasingly fading heavyweight division. Between his high workrate, fan friendly style and impressive power, Adamek’s fanbase grows leaps and bounds with each of his outings, giving the heavyweight scene a much needed shot in the arm.

After multiple defenses of Adamek’s IBF Cruiserweight title, he along with his team decided to give the heavyweights a run for their money, with his promoter Main Events lining up a Polish superfight with former title challenger Andrew Golota.

Golota, best known for his two low blow fueled disqualification losses to Riddick Bowe back in the 90′s, was for many years the fighting pride of Poland. The torch was passed on to Adamek back in October when Adamek stopped the former four-time world title challenger in the fifth round of their bout thus giving him the vacant IBF International Heavyweight strap.

His next bout came four months later against American prospect Jason “Big Six” Estrada. Adamek’s impressive workrate was enough to give him the 12 round unanimous decision over Estrada with the judges scoring the bout 115-113, 116-112 and 118-110.

The win over Estrada let to a highly anticipated showdown with another former heavyweight title challenger in Chris Arreola in Arreola’s backyard of Ontario, California. Despite Adamek leaving the ring that night with a majority decision win while adding the vacant NABO heavyweight title to his resume, the contest was much closer and tougher than Adamek would have liked. Arreola knocked Adamek’s mouthpiece out in the fourth round and nearly put Adamek away in the fifth stanza before injuring his hand leaving the door open for Adamek to come on strong and outpoint Arreola on two of the three judge’s scorecards.

Now Adamek takes on “Big” Michael Grant in the main attraction of the event which is appropriately being billed as “The Big Challenge”.

“You can tell its going to be a good fight. We have all the respect in the world for the Grant camp and we took this fight cause Tomasz had to be able to prove he could hang with a big man. So whoever named this ‘The Big Challenge’ may be exactly correct.” “Tomasz is ready and I expect a great fight,” stated Adamek’s trainer, Roger Bloodworth.

“I don’t take anything away from Adamek, like I said he’s a helluva light heavyweight champion. But I’m an elite fighter. I’m not like a Jason Estrada or a Chris Arreola, that’s not my level,” countered Grant.

Michael Grant turned pro back in 1994 and compiled 31 wins before running into heavyweight great, Lennox Lewis. Lewis retained the World Heavyweight Championship with a second round knockout that had Grant floored on four different occasions. Grant’s disappointment only grew in his next outing as he was knocked out in a mere 34 seconds by Jameel McCline which left many questioning the chin of the once can’t miss contender.

Since suffering those back to back losses Grant went 15-1 against mostly sub par competition. His only loss since came at the hands of the once promising Dominic Guinn in 2003, once again coming in the form of a knockout.

Despite his questionable chin, one thing that cannot be argued is the fact that Grant still possesses dynamite in his fists making this yet another solid test for Adamek’s heavyweight journey. Even so, Adamek feels that he’s ready for whatever Grant throws his way.

“I’m ready to fight. When I’m healthy I am very quick, I am dangerous in the ring. I’ve been training very hard for 11 weeks. Size is no bother to me. I had 2 very good sparring partners. They were tall too. Roger is a very good teacher and I am learning everyday. I am ready,” states Adamek.

Throughout his career, Adamek has gained a big following. He’s been in some big title bouts. Tonight he faces one of the biggest tests of his career.

And tonight, he’ll accept nothing less than a big win.