by James Slater – It seems as though the much talked about cruiserweight clash between IBF king Tomasz Adamek and legend Bernard Hopkins may not be dead after all. Thought to be a no-go due to money issues between the two camps, the intriguing fight looked like one that got away. But now, according to top writer Dan Rafael over at ESPN.com, HBO are once again interested in hosting the bout – but not this year, early next year instead..
HBO Sports president Ross Greenburg told ESPN.com that the fight is “back on the radar.”
“I think it’s a good fight and we’ve talked a little about it,” Greenburg said.
According to the article, HBO would prefer the fight, if it does actually come back together, to take place early next year, as 2009’s budget has already been used up.
This is interesting, but will this be good news for Hopkins? By the time the fight does roll around (if it does) Hopkins will have turned 45 years-of-age. Will he box another fight in the meantime, and if so against who? Or will B-Hop remain idle as he waits for the iron-chinned 200-pound champ?
Speaking of Adamek, according to the ESPN piece, the IBF champion’s defence against Matt Godfrey, originally planned for July 10th, will not now be happening. Reportedly, Showtime discussed a Adamek-Godfrey bout, but the T.V network eventually decided to pass on the match-up. Now Adamek, who will still box on July 10th but without U.S television coverage, is looking for an opponent to replace “Too Smooth.”
The word is, due to less money being available, a lower-level fighter may be brought in to fight the Pole. And, somewhat disturbingly, this lower-level operator just might be Bobby Gunn. No disrespect to Gunn, but we all saw what happened to him the last time he stepped up into world class level – he was iced inside a single round by Welshman and then WBO cruiserweight boss Enzo Maccarinelli. Would the full-of-heart but limited and easy-to-hit Gunn really have any sort of a chance against the once-beaten Adamek?
At least the one-sided mismatch (and that’s what I see this potential fight turning out as if it goes ahead) will not be seen by a large audience. It does seem as though Adamek is struggling to get the big fights he craves, and that is why the Hopkins clash is possibly back on. “The Executioner” is one big name who is willing to take a crack at the IBF ruler.
Glorified club fighter Bobby Gunn may get to Adamek first though!