Tuesday, April 7, 2009

With Hopkins Out, Adamek Has Many Options


Cruiserweight King Tomasz Adamek from Poland has a long list of potential opponents and he is said to be currently weighing numerous offers.

The Tomasz Adamek vs. Bernard Hopkins fight has now officially been declared dead in the water by both parties. The 44 year-old Hopkins says he’s moving on to other things, primarily promoting, broadcasting and retirement. He claims it doesn’t matter if he ever fights again.

Meanwhile, Adamek, the crowd-pleasing IBF and The Ring magazine cruiserweight champion has demonstrated that the boxing world can easily move on without Bernard Hopkins dictating the terms of fights.

The Pole is knocking on the door of a top-10 pound-for-pound ranking and he is currently one of the most sought after fighters in the sport because of his ability to do what few fighters can do in this day and age - put butts in the seats at a live venue.

As a result, Adamek has no shortage of potential opponents and this writer has learned that he and his team are evaluating several offers from numerous promoters.

Perhaps most interesting is that Roy Jones, Jr., 39, is angling for a July 11 match with Adamek that would take place at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. The date is Adamek’s and HBO may be interested in the Jones fight, especially since Roy was able to rehabilitate himself (to some extent) from the horrible loss to Joe Calzaghe with a stoppage win last month against Omar Sheika.

Jones and his Square Ring, Inc. have floated a trial balloon to Adamek’s representatives who are apparently still evaluating that offer as well as weighing several other options.


Adamek is a tirelss worker in the gym. The success he currently enjoys would not be possible without the dedication he shows to his craft.

One of those options apparently includes Chris Byrd, the former IBF and WBO heavyweight titlist who fought last month on the undercard of the Vitali Klitschko vs. Juan Carlos Gomez WBC heavyweight title fight in Stuttgart, Germany.

Byrd, 38, is now campaigning as a cruiserweight and a fight against Adamek, if it was deemed acceptable to HBO, might be able to be put together since Byrd’s monetary requirements would likely not be as demanding as those of Hopkins or Jones. Byrd is currently ranked #15 by the IBF at 200 pounds.

Also under consideration is the always eager Glen Johnson, 40, the former two-time light heavyweight champ who is chomping at the bit to get one of the many belt-holders parading around the sport right now to step into the ring with him. Johnson’s name emerged last week and he is coming off an impressive February win over Daniel Judah in which he appeared sharp and ready for any world-class opponent.

What is clear is that Adamek’s possible list of opponents is a long one.

Also in the offing is a possible rematch with the man from whom he took the IBF cruiserweight title - Steve Cunningham. A possible "Polish Fight of the Century" against countryman and heavyweight Andrew Golota has been proposed by Polish billionaire Zygmunt Solorz for September in Warsaw. Adamek’s management is also said to have been evaluating offers from German promoter Wilfrid Sauerland for fights against Yugoslavian-born boxers Marco Huck 24-1 (19) KO, currently ranked #4 by the IBF and Enad Licina, 16-1 (10)KO who occupies the #11 slot.

Whatever the case, Adamek is a proven ticket seller and he is extremely popular with Polish fight fans. His next move is eagerly anticipated and he could fight in Poland, New York, New Jersey or Chicago and be guaranteed to draw large and enthusiastic crowds.


April 2009

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