20.10.06 – By Scoop Malinowski: WBC Light Heavyweight champion is back in Poland after his thrilling second title defense against Paul Briggs on October 7th in the United States. Scoop Malinowski contacted Adamek for this interview:
Scoop: Congratulations on your victory. Were you satisfied with your important performance which was televised in America on HBO?
Adamek: “Thank you very much. Yes. After a big layoff – one year I didn’t fight – and the legal problems – I gave myself a very high grade.”
Scoop: Is Briggs the hardest puncher you ever faced?
Adamek: “He’s the toughest guy I ever fought, very strong and a very hard hitter.”
Scoop: How did Buddy McGirt make you a better fighter?
Adamek: “I make a couple of mistakes. I only work with Buddy McGrit for eight weeks. There are some things I need to fix in my style and Buddy will help me correct it. Buddy is the best.”
Scoop: Did Paul Briggs do anything differently in the second fight that surprised you from the first fight?
Adamek: “He was a puncher and going forward, so he did the same thing he did in the first fight.”
Scoop: The fight is over, is there anything you would do differently?
Adamek: “I would fight him from a distance and not in close, so I won’t get hit with the right hands so much.”
Scoop: You almost seemed to not care about getting hit by those right hands. As if you were so concentrated and focused that you did not feel the pain. Your comment?
Adamek: “I didn’t feel them so much. I saw them coming and I move my head. From the beginning I was listening to Buddy. Then I got hit a few times then I went to my old style. Then at the end I went back to Buddy’s style.
Scoop: Describe Buddy’ style.
Adamek: “Buddy has a great style and I need to do that more. I need to get back to Florida, work with Buddy and I will have that style.”
Scoop: How important to you was the atmosphere of support from the Polish and American people in Chicago on fight night?
Adamek: “It was a big thing. I want to thank all who came, the people American and Polish, thank you very much. It was a great feeling to have that support. I was happy and very surprised so many people were for me and I thank them all very much.”
Scoop: If the choice was yours, who would you like to fight next? And where?
Adamek: “I only want to fight in America – the four legends of the world – Roy Jones, Bernard Hopkins, Antonio Tarver or Glen Johnson.”
Scoop: Your preference?
Adamek: “The biggest star in the world – Roy Jones.”
Scoop: Do you have a gut feeling on who it might be next, possibly in January?
Adamek: “My gut feeling is my promoter Don King will negotiate with all of them. I believe Don King spoke with Roy Jones and Ziggy (manager Rozalski) spoke with Tarver’s promoter (Joe DeGuardia).”
Scoop: Is unification a possibility?
Adamek: If my promoter can strike a deal for unification, I will like to fight for unification. But I’d be more happy to do it with the legends.”
Scoop: If Andrew Golota gets in top shape do you believe he can beat Valuev?
Adamek: “If Andrew will get in top condition – he’s a great technician and very strong – and he will beat Valuev.”
Scoop: Did Andrew give you any comments after the fight with Briggs?
Adamek: “I met with Andrew for dinner after, just before we left to come back to Poland. He never commented on the fight.”
Scoop: What have you been doing since the fight?
Adamek: “I’m running and swimming – getting in top shape to fight the legends. I do a lot of interviews, spending time with my family, my wife, two children and my mother. I am learning to speak English. The journalists are writing a lot here about the four biggest American legends and I’m looking forward to fight the four biggest legends.
Scoop: And last, what would you like to say to the fans?
Adamek: “I want to thank all the fans. I will be back and I want to fight in America, the greatest country in the world.”