18.03.04 – By Scoop Malinowski/Boxinginsider.com – Andrew Golota is one of the most talented yet misunderstood heavyweights in recent years. He is known as a mean-as-they-come, wrecking machine of a fighter who most often seemed to curiously find a way to achieve failure while standing on the brink of victory.
First it was the two thrashings of Riddick Bowe who at the time was considered the world’s best heavyweight, fresh off the KO of Holyfield. Golota slaughtered Bowe in both fights, to the point that Bowe has never since entered a ring. He outjabbed, outboxed and outpunched a prime Bowe. But, strangely, it was Golota, ahead on the scorecards in both fights, who disqualified himself from victory. Some thought he was crazy, some said he wasn’t smart (also because of a speech impediment), I think it was some kind of fear of success. In other words, while Golota has the skill and talent to be champion, he may not have the desire for the huge responsibility of being a champion and inspiration of the people. Golota seems uncomfortable in the spotlight, about accepting the role as being a heroic champion figure for the world.
Despite the “losses” to Bowe, Golota received a WBC title shot against Lennox Lewis in 1997. Again, something strange happened in the big moment of truth, Golota was reportedly in a panic in the hours before the fight and only arrived at the Atlantic City Convention Hall about an hour before the fight. Once in the ring, Golota appeared very tight and uncomfortable. Lewis recognized this and swiftly went on the attack, scoring the first round KO.
Against Michael Grant, Golota displayed his extraordinary talents again. He destroyed the unbeaten prospect in the first round, flooring him twice. Then, inexplicably, Golota did not go for the kill in round two. He stopped throwing punches with mean intentions. For some odd reason, he did not finish the job. Grant survived and got back into the fight and went on to win. Again Golota showed his world class fighting prowess but on the verge of triumph, he stopped himself.
Against Tyson, Golota overcame a first round headbutt as well as a devastating knockdown by a Tyson overhand right. Golota came out and boxed well in round two, then, curiously quit at the start of round three.
Golota took two years off from boxing and has returned with two solid wins against Terrence Lewis and Brian Nix. He signed with Don King last month and now suddenly has been offered another title shot against Chris Byrd. Everyone in boxing knows Golota has the attributes to defeat Byrd – IF he really wants it. IF he really dedicates himself to the idea of being champion and becoming comfortable with it.
Byrd is a fine champion and could frustrate Golota with his boxing wizardry. But he may not have the punch power to bother Golota. Like Angelo Dundee told me last week, Golota has the right style to beat Byrd. “The style Golota fights is terrible for Byrd,” Dundee said. “Aggressive. Rough. He’s gonna give Byrd ulcers. He’ll take that trickiness of Byrd away with ruggedness. I don’t think Byrd hits hard enough to hold him off. It’s gonna be like he’s throwing pineapples at Golota. Gonna be interesting.”
Byrd might not be able to discourage Golota. It is conceivable that Golota could walk down Byrd, dismantle and destroy him similar to how Ike Ibeabuchi did. Equally possible is that Byrd, as tough and courageous as any boxer today, could survive early trouble and Golota could DQ himself again.
But the stage is set for April 17th for a very interesting IBF Heavyweight title fight. Will Golota redeem himself and fulfill his extraordinary talents by finally winning the title? Or will he self-destruct again in the big moment? What is his destiny? Would a big win by the Pole overshadow all the failures? Does he truly want to become a champion? Will Byrd be able to handle the ferocity of a motivated Golota? Will Byrd’s ring genius be too much for Golota to overcome?
Obviously this is a fascinating match. I had the chance for an indepth interview with Golota covering a wide range of issues – including Lewis, the Klitschkos, Oscar, and much much more. I found Golota to be a very intelligent individual, contrary to the public’s perception. Other words to describe him are low-key, almost shy, fun-loving, polite and misunderstood. Here is Part 1 of the exclusive Andrew Golota one-on-one:
Boxinginsider: “How has Andrew Golota been for the last few years? You look in very good shape…
Golota: “Well, I’ve been off for two years. And actually I didn’t have much to do with my life. I felt bored. So I came back to boxing. That’s what it is. I got two fights aleady. Now I’m here.”
Boxinginsider: “What do you think of Lennox Lewis’ reign as champion? Do you think he was a great heavyweight champion?
Golota: “Well, he beat me, there’s no question about it [laughs]! I lost to him. I can’t do anything about it. But Lewis was looking for a reason to quit boxing, you know? And the last fight he got (vs. Vitali Klitschko) was the reason why he quit boxing?”
Boxinginsider: “Klitschko forced him to quit, you believe?
Golota: “That’s what I think. It’s obvious, you know?”
Boxinginsider: “Was Vitali Klitschko’s performance against Lewis impressive to you?
Golota: “I think it was the biggest screw-up of his life probably the fight with Lewis. He should win this fight. The thing is he just kept his hands too low. That’s why he got so much beat up. That’s why he wasn’t able to come out to continue the fight. The thing is, Lewis didn’t want to take another chance to fight him back. He just quit.”
Boxinginsider: “Smart move maybe.”
Golota: “For him, yeah.”
Boxinginsider: “You’re challenging Chris Byrd now for the IBF title. Do you believe you have what it takes to beat him?”
Golota: “Well, basically, that’s why I’m here. Don King told me about this opportunity to fight him, I take it right away. I don’t even think about it. I just took it.”
Boxinginsider: “Why? What made you make that choice to fight Byrd with only two low-level fights in two years?”
Golota: “Well, the way he fights, I like it. That’s what it is. So I come with the gameplan to beat him up [smiles].”
(to be continued…)
Check back at Boxinginsider.com for Parts 2 and 3 of One-on-One with Andrew Golota.