By Lou McLaughlin – On Wednesday February 4 I had the opportunity of watching Tomasz Adamek spar in preparation for his upcoming February 27 IBF title defense against Johnathon Banks at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. Adamek is a three time champion having won the WBC light heavyweight title in 2005 defending it 3 times losing it in his only loss as a professional to Chad Dawson. He went on to win the vacant IBO cruiserweight title in 2007 defending it once before he relinquished it to compete for and win the IBF cruiserweight title in 2008 in an IBF cruiserweight title eliminator against former undisputed cruiserweight champion O’Neil Bell. He defended the IBF title in Newark on December 12, 2008 against Steve Cunningham knocking him down three times in the process
Adamek was exceptionally fast and sharp both offensively and defensively as he went 3 rounds each with 3 sparring partners. After his training session; Tomasz graciously gave some time to speak with me and answer a few questions as follows:
Q: You are 6 years older and have 17 more fights then Johnathon Banks. How do you feel this will affect the fight?
A: My opponent will have respect for someone who has fought longer and against more experienced fighters. And my experience will provide me with the technical advantages to adjust to what my opponent brings to the ring.
Q: Jonathon Banks trains from the famous Kronk gym of Detroit. How do you feel about this?
A: The fight in is the ring. It does not matter to me where a fighter has trained. What happens in the actual fight will not be the same as the gym where he trains. I fought many professionals and all have trained at world class facilities. It is the fight in the ring that determines the outcome not the training location.
Q: Banks is the IBO champion why is this title not on the line also?
A: I do not know. It does not matter to me. My job as a professional fighter is to fight the best opponents and to put on a good show for all of my fans. The title does not matter it is the event and the fighter that matter to me and my fans.
Q: Before your defense against Steve Cunningham Ring magazine picked Cunningham to win by decision. How do you feel about that?
A: I was awarded the Ring magazine Cruiserweight title belt after that fight. So that speaks for itself. Now Ring magazine recognizes me properly.
Q; You trained with Al Cole for your Cunningham fight and you are working with Cole again preparing for this fight. How does that help you?
A; Al is an experienced veteran. He knows how to put pressure on an opponent. He brings the world class experience as a former world champion to my preparation.
Q: You are fighting rather soon by today’s standards having last fought 2-1/2 months ago how does this effect you?
A; It is to my benefit. I was not hurt in my last fight. I took one month off before resuming training. Therefore I remained in shape having only gone up to 205 lbs. while off. So resuming training was more of a continuation of my previous training .
Q; Who would be the opponent that you would most like to fight?
A: It is my job as a professional to fight all good opponents. Jersey City is my second home and I want to fight the best and give my best performance for all of my fans.
I thank Tomasz for the time taken with me and wish him the best in his upcoming bout