09.06.07 – By Jeff Bastasini: Former heavyweight contender Andrew Golota (39-6-1, 32 KO’s) dismantled an overmatched Jeremy Bates (21-14-1, 18 KO’s), destroying him in the 2nd round of a scheduled 10-round bout in Katowice, Poland. Golota, 39, making his first appearance in two years since being taken out by Lamon Brewster in the 1st round on May 21, 2005, appeared rusty and slow as the bout started out. However, it didn’t matter, because the short, slightly paunchy 5’10” 243 lb Bates was even slower and was no match for Golota’s power shots, as it turned out.
Bates began the fight pressing Golota, trying to get him to back up. Golota, though, showed that he could punch with authority even while being pushed backwards, punishing Bates with ripping hooks and short right hands. Bates was stunned briefly by left hook by Golota in the 1st round. However, Golota was unable to follow up with anything meaningful due to Bate’s constant clinches.
In the 2nd round, Golota started started off with few jabs, but quickly opened up with a left hook, and right hand that caught Bates flush. By this time, Bates was looking exhausted already, perhaps because of the oppressive heat in the arena, which was well over 90 degrees and very humid. Bates still trying to prevent Golota from getting punching room, stayed in close to him. Golota made him pay for it, however, by blasting him with two short right hands that hurt Bates.
Golota then landed a series of shots while Bates was trapped against the ropes, and Bates worked to escape, Golota landed a right-left combination that sent Bates down to the canvas backwards. He made it up, however, a cut had opened above Bate’s left eye, causing the referee to briefly stop the action to have it looked at. By now, Bates was in bad shape, still groggy from the accumulation of punches he had absorbed. Once the action re-started, Golota quickly overwhelmed Bates, landing a volley of unanswered punches while Bates was backed against the ropes. The referee then stepped in and halted the bout with Bates still standing, although staggering and hurt.