By James Slater – A while ago, news reports informed us how Samuel Peter, the former WBC heavyweight champion, had likely priced himself out of the April 16th date Polish star Tomasz Adamek needs an opponent for. Peter, who last fought in September, when he was destroyed by world champ Wladimir Klitschko, reportedly asked for a 50-50 purse split to face the former light-heavy and cruiserweight champ..
So, now that “The Nigerian Nightmare” is out, who will “Goral” fight in his native Poland on April 16th? According to rumours (UK trade paper Boxing News included), there is a good chance Adamek will rumble with another former heavyweight champion, in Hasim “The Rock” Rahman.
On paper, this is a winnable fight for Adamek, but as another heavyweight fight designed to give him further experience before his inevitable title shot, this fight wouldn’t be a bad one for the 34-year-old. Rahman, despite being way past his best, remains a big name and he has as much experience as any other active heavyweight this side of Evander Holyfield. And Rahman, 49-7-2(40) can punch.
If he’s in shape (and he’s won four by KO since losing to Klitschko in Dec. 2008, with the weight gradually going down in each fight), Rahman might be able to test Adamek and test his chin. Still just five fights into his heavyweight career, Adamek has struggled with lesser fighters than Rahman. The inactive Michael Grant gave Adamek a tough night back in August (although Grant’s height and reach may have been the real reason he was able to do so), and Rahman is the same age as the 6’7” fighter.
If Grant could trouble Adamek, won’t the harder-hitting Rahman be able to do likewise? So far, Adamek has been able to take any heavyweight shot that has come his way, but is Rahman a bigger puncher than either Andrew Golota, Jason Estrada, Chris Arreola, Grant and Vinny Maddalone? He may well be.
Rahman insists he is still hungry, and he has been trying to get himself a big and meaningful fight. A clash with French hero and former cruiserweight champ Jean Marc Mormeck fell through late last year, but now Rahman is the “leading candidate” to bag the April date with Adamek. This fight, if it happens, will either be Rahman’s last top level chance, or, if he wins, it will be his chance to get back to the top.
For his part, Adamek has said he will fight anyone the IBF says he should fight as he further readies himself for his hoped-for shot at a Klitschko. Will Adamek make a statement if he flattens Rahman? Or would fans groan how he had merely beaten another faded name? Will Adamek actually be able to stop the man who famously KO’d Lennox Lewis almost ten years ago?
Rahman has only been halted by the best. Adamek believes he is one of the best heavyweights around today. Let’s see if this talked-of match-up goes ahead.