by James Slater – Though there was talk a short while ago that Tomasz Adamek’s next fight would be for a version of the world heavyweight title, it seems the former light-heavyweight and cruiserweight titlist will instead continue adapting to his new weight class. With all three heavyweight champions busy – Vitali Klitschko with Albert Sosnowski, and Wladimir Klitschko and David Haye still trying to thrash out a deal – Polish warrior Adamek will look to take at least one more fight at heavyweight before his eventual title shot..
And, according to Thenews.pl (a Polish news source) the 33-year-old known as “Goral” will face former world title challenger Michael Grant next. Fresh off his highly impressive points win over the big-hitting Chris Arreola, Adamek will no doubt be a big favourite to win if the fight with Grant goes ahead. According to the Polish news piece, the fight will take place in either August or September, in either Atlantic City or New Jersey.
“It’s 98-percent sure that the fight between Adamek and Grant will take place,” Ziggy Rozalski, Adamek’s promoter said. “Grant has already accepted our financial offer. Grant is a good boxer and a big guy. A fight with him will be a great test before a clash with [either] Klitschko. Grant’s (1999) fight with Andrew Golota was incredible.”
Grant, now aged 37 and a few days removed from his latest comeback – a quick 1st-round TKO over Kevin Burnett on May 7th – has a good record at 46-3(34) and he is certainly big enough at 6’7″ and approx 257-pounds. Indeed, looking at Grant’s size and build, it’s clear to see why Adamek’s people have chosen him as a guy against whom Tomasz can “warm-up” for a date with one of the Klitschkos. Adamek, 41-1(27) will be giving away over five inches in height, along with around 40-pounds in weight. Still, how much has Grant, known as “Big,” got left?
The “incredible” fight Rozalski refers to with Golota, was on paper a good win for Grant; yet those who saw the fight know that a quit job on the part of the unpredictable Polish fighter gave Grant a big helping hand. Down early and looking in bad shape, Grant, then a fresh-faced 26-year-old, showed heart in getting up more than once and fighting back, yet he was way behind on points at the time of his sudden TKO win in the 10th-round (when Golota rose from a knockdown, only to quit).
In his next fight, against heavyweight king Lennox Lewis, Grant was blown away inside two-rounds. All of this was well over a decade ago, however, and the two biggest fights Grant had will have very little bearing on how he does in his fight with Adamek.
Having fought on and off after the Lewis loss, (Grant is 15-2 post-Lewis), the impressively built giant would cause a huge sensation if he were to derail Adamek. It won’t happen. Sure, Grant can still punch, and he will have those physical advantages over Adamek – but Arreola was bigger and heavier also; and he was outboxed by the smaller man.
As sharp as he’s been looking and as well as he boxed to trainer Ronnie Shield’s orders last time out, Adamek will win heavyweight fight number-four – possibly even taking Grant out inside the distance. It could prove interesting if the big guy lands one on the Pole’s chin, but Adamek will look to use his speed and good boxing brain to get himself the win.