by James Slater – Though Poland’s Tomasz Adamek has not said a definite goodbye to the cruiserweight ranks just yet, his next fight will be in the heavyweight division, where he made a successful and impressive debut back on October 24th. “Goral,” the IBF 200-pound champion, put on just over fourteen pounds and hammered a game but faded Andre Golota to defeat inside five-rounds in the Polish “Fight of The Century..”
Now looking to build on his heavyweight victory, the 32-year-old will box again at the weight on February 6th next year, according to Kathy Duva who informed Ring On Line recently. Adamek will once again fight in Newark, New Jersey, but so far no opponent has been named.
Who would you, the fans, the people that matter, like to see the exciting warrior face in his second bout amongst the big guys?
Adamek has made no secret of the fact that he wants a fight with newly crowned WBA heavyweight ruler David Haye. Adamek has also expressed interest in facing one of the two Klitschko brothers, currently atop the heavyweight division as they are. Those fights will have to wait for now, but who knows, if he keeps on winning at the weight maybe “Goral” will get a crack at a major belt one day next year?
For now, though, Adamek needs to further adapt to the weight with a couple of fights against credible heavyweight opposition. Here are a number of options I myself think Adamek would be sensible to take a look at for his February engagement.
The crowd-pleasing Pole with the 39-1(27) record can’t be matched at all soft, as he is a big name and fans expect to see a good match-up whenever Adamek is in action. But he can’t be matched too tough at this stage either. Enter the following big men:
Tony Thompson. The 38-year-old “Tiger,” currently 32-2(20) and inactive since his 5th-round TKO win over Adnan Serin would be an interesting opponent for Adamek. Tall at 6’5″ but not a huge puncher, Thompson would be a test for Adamek, one that if he passed it he’ll have shown he can handle a very big guy. A southpaw also, Thompson would give Adamek a lot to think about in there.
Fres Oquendo. The 36-year-old is currently 31-5(20) and “The Big O” hasn’t fought since his July 2009 KO of a shop-worn Bruce Seldon. Still ambitious, Oquendo, like Thompson no huge banger, would be a very live opponent for Adamek. Were he to score a stoppage over Oquendo, the cruiserweight king’s heavyweight credentials would receive a major boost.
Dominick Guinn. The 34-year-old “Southern Disaster,” currently 31-6-1(21) is in action against a TBA on the Malignaggi-Diaz II card in December, but there is no reason why Guinn couldn’t fight again two months later. At times a dangerous puncher, at others a dull distance fighter who comes up short, Guinn would be a good scalp for Adamek.
Cedric Boswell. The 40-year-old “Bos,” currently 31-1(24) is experienced and he is crafty. Inactive since his boring points win over Cisse Salif back on September 26th, the veteran is in need of another fight – one that can motivate him. Adamek would offer Boswell a chance to earn a title fight, while for the cruiserweight warrior the fight would offer the opportunity to become only the second man to stop Boswell.
Either of the four fighters mentioned here, I feel, would be good quality opponents for the hungry and ambitious Adamek. But will he fight one of these men in February or at any time?