Liverpool’s Tony Dodson hopes to climb a few places in the European super-middleweight rankings on November 15 when he takes on the Czech Republic’s Tomas Adamek at The O2 in North Greenwich, London. Amusingly, Dodson thought he’d been paired with former world light-heavyweight champion Tomasz Adamek when first hearing news of the fight. “I thought they wanted to put me in with the Polish Adamek,” admits Dodson. “He’s a former light-heavyweight world champion and is now fighting for the world cruiserweight title. A genuine world-class fighter..
“It might sound crazy to some people, but I’d have had no problems fighting him. Bring it on. I’d fight both of them.”
Alas, it wasn’t to be. Dodson gets Adamek by way of Prague rather than Poland. Ranked at no.20 by the European Boxing Union (EBU) and currently 12-1 (5 KO) as a pro, Adamek may not boast the world-class credentials of his heavier namesake but he does carry significant danger to Dodson.
“I need this kind of fight,” says the 24-4 (12 KO) Dodson. “It’s a good test for me against a guy who carries a decent European ranking. If I can do a number on Adamek I will then fly up the rankings and be in a position to think about a European title shot. Sometimes I look up and down the European rankings and think half of these guys haven’t beaten anything like the names I’ve beaten.”
The 28-year-old Adamek’s sole defeat arrived via split-decision in a June 2007 EU light-heavyweight title fight with Antonio Brancolion. Having campaigned mainly as a light-heavyweight throughout his two-and-a-half-year pro career, Adamek will touch down in England with little to fear.
“I’m expecting him to be big and strong,” says Dodson, a former British super-middleweight champion. “He’s listed as being around 6’1, so we’ll be about the same height on the night. To be honest, I prefer fighting tall guys, as there’s more to aim at. A fight like this should bring out the best in me. There’s a lot at stake and I’ve been given a good opponent.”
Despite Dodson’s appreciation of what Adamek brings to the contest on November 15 he is, as always, bullish about his own chances. A pro since July 1997, Dodson is now a seasoned competitor – someone who has been in there with the best in Britain and the rest of Europe. He’s had his highs, as well as his lows, and claims he’s feeling as good as ever at 28.
Having seen all there is to see in the ring, Dodson isn’t worried by anything that appears on Adamek’s 12-1 resume.
“It’s a good-looking record on paper, sure, but he doesn’t have many ‘names’ on it,” adds Dodson. “He’s only ever lost once, by split-decision, but most of his wins have been against inferior fighters to me. He’s never faced anyone at my kind of level before. Even the guy that beat him (Brancolion) isn’t on my level.”
Dodson continues: “The one thing you can guarantee with me is that I’ll fight anyone. I don’t care what their record is or how big they are. I boxed and beat Brian Barbosa in my 15th fight when nobody wanted to go anywhere near him. I’d fight both Adameks on the same night and I’ll give any super-middleweight in the world a fight. Reputations don’t mean anything to me.”
*** Tony Dodson’s non-title fight with Tomas Adamek makes up part of the undercard to David ‘The Hayemaker’ Haye’s intriguing heavyweight showdown with Monte ‘Two Gunz’ Barrett at The O2 on November 15. HAYEMAKER2: ‘One Hayemaker vs. Two Gunz’ will be screened live and exclusively on Setanta Sports.
*** To purchase tickets for HAYEMAKER2: ‘One Hayemaker vs. Two Gunz’ contact the Box Office on 08448 560 202. For further information on Haye’s heavyweight curtain raiser or any other forthcoming Hayemaker shows, log on to the official website, http://www.hayemaker.com/.
Maloney Inks Darren Sutherland
IRELAND’S Olympic bronze medallist Darren Sutherland is the first Olympian from the home nations to turn professional and will be managed and promoted by Frank Maloney.
Sutherland, 26, has signed a three-year contract with Maloney and makes his professional debut in home city, Dublin on Thursday December 18.
The historic homecoming will be staged at Dublin City University where Sutherland is studying Sports Science.
Sutherland will campaign as a super-middleweight and his fights will be exclusively televised live by Sky Sports.
Maloney said: “From the minute I watched Darren in the Olympics he was the only fighter I wanted to sign.”
“I believe he will become the my fifth world champion following in the path of Lennox Lewis, Paul Ingle, Scott Harrison and David Haye.
“This is a long term mission and will be an incredible journey. I invite the Irish public to join Darren on what will be a fantastic ride.
“On a personal level I haven’t felt this excited since the day Lennox Lewis signed with me in April 1989.”
Sutherland’s medal in Beijing was one of the finest achievements ever by an Irish sportsman in the Olympics.
After a first round walkover, Sutherland outpointed Algeria’s Nabil Kassel and Venezuelan Alfonso Blanco before losing to eventual middleweight winner James DeGale in the semi-final.
Sutherland had won four of their previous five encounters against the Englishman and it would be no shock if their paths crossed in a major professional fight
Sutherland is expected to work with several British and American trainers before deciding who to team up with.
Maloney expects to announce the Irishman’s first professional opponent next month.
Ticket for Sutherland’s professional debut at DCU will be on sale next month, and the card will also feature leading British and Irish fighters.
DARREN SUTHERLAND FACT FILE
Born: 18th March 1982
Birthplace: Dublin
Stance: Orthodox
Nickname: The Dazzler
Amateur Club: St Saviour’s ABC
Amateur Honours:
2008
Irish Olympian – Bronze medallist
Gold Medallist in European Olympic Qualifier, Greece
Irish National Senior Champion
2007
Irish National Senior Champion.
Gold medallist in Multi-Nation Tournament, Croatia.
Gold medallist in Multi-Nation Tournament, Finland.
Bronze medallist in Multi-Nation Tournament, Germany.
European Union Champion, Ireland.
Silver medallist in Multi-Nation Tournament, Ukraine…
Gold medallist in Multi-Nation Tournament, Germany.
Last 16 of World Championships, USA.
2006
Irish National Senior Champion.
Four Nations Champion, Ireland.
2005
Gold medallist in Multi-Nation Tournament, Liverpool.
Gold medallist in Multi-Nation Tournament, Albania.
Gold medallist in Multi-Nation Tournament, Russia.
Quarter-Finalist, World Championships, China.
2003
Win – Ireland V Germany (home).
Bronze medallist in All Ireland Senior Championships.
2002
Irish Under-21 National Champion – 75kgs.
Bronze medallist in All Ireland Senior Championships
2001
Irish Under-21 Champion – 71kgs.
Win – Ireland V France (away).
Win – Ireland V France (away).
Win – Ireland V Poland (away)
2000
Irish Intermediate Champion – 71kgs
Leinster Champion – 71kgs.
1999 (in England)
Quarter-finalist Junior ABA Championships – 71kgs.
North-East Counties Junior ABA Champion – 71kgs.
NABC North-East Regional Finalist – 67kgs.
Yorkshire Champion – 67kgs
1998 (in England)
NABC National Semi-finalist – 67kgs.
NABC National Regional Champion – 67kgs.
NABC Northern Counties Champion – 67kgs.
Yorkshire Champion – 67kgs.