By James Slater: There were three biggish heavyweight bouts last night, one of which that may have seen a future contender emerge. In Atlantic City, giants Mariusz Wach and Tye Fields collided and the action was lively. Eventually, in the 6th-round, unbeaten Polish slugger Wach took the upper hand, landing repeated rights to the head of the huge Canadian.
“Big Sky” crashed and was stopped at the 1-minute and 44 second mark. 32-year-old Wach, now 27-0(15) is in the hunt for a shot at one of the Klitschkos (he says he’d prefer WBC champ Vitali) and this latest win, though no earth-mover, will not have hurt his chances. Wach may be ponderous but he has genuine power and he is exciting to watch. I’d like to see “The Viking” in with a top-10 guy next. 37-year-old Fields is now 49-5(44).
Another Pole, in hero Tomasz Adamek, returned to winning ways following his one-sided stoppage loss to Vitali Klitschko, as he pounded out a one-sided ten-round UD over the always-game Nagy Aguilera. This fight took place in Brooklyn, New York, on the under-card of Zab Judah’s good win over Vernon Paris. “Goral” won with something to spare, winning by commanding scores of 100-90 twice and 99-91. 35-year-old Adamek is now 45-2(28) and will likely be back in the summer. 25-year-old Aguilera has now lost four of his last five and is 17-7(12).
27-year-old Bryant Jennings, also boxing on the Brooklyn card, scored the biggest win of his career in halting former WBO heavyweight ruler Siarhei Liakhovich. The Philly fighter known as “By-By” may also have emerged as a contender following his bloodying of the man known as “The White Wolf.” Stopped by the doctor at the end of the 9th, a round that saw him take more heavy punishment, 35-year-old Liakhovich was well beaten. He is now 25-5(16) and looks to be done.
Jennings, who calls himself a typical Philadelphia fighter, has only been a pro since February of 2010 and he is making good, fast progress. Jennings, now 13-0(6) may be no giant of a heavyweight at 6’2” and approx 220, but promoter Kathy Duva told ESPN.com that “we had another guy built like him (Jennings) who did quite well: Evander Holyfield.”
Of course, it’s way, way, way too early to be able to compare Jennings with “The Real Deal,” but the talented, exciting warrior is certainly one to keep an eye on.
“I am the best American heavyweight,” Jennings boldly told ESPN.com.
A fight between Jennings and Seth Mitchell (to many people the fighter deserving of that distinction) would be most welcome!