The poster child for jumping up from weight division to division and continuously being effective is pound for pound king Manny Pacquiao. However, at least 50 pounds north there is another fighter looking to make his mark in his third consecutive weight class: former light heavyweight titleholder & cruiserweight champion Tomasz Adamek.
Adamek takes on American heavyweight brawler Vinny Maddalone this week (Live on www.NESportsTV.com online PPV / broadcast starts 9AM Friday morning Manila, Philippines time) and hopes that a win will earn him a crack at third world title in a third weight division.
Now of course, as the weight classes get heavier the difference of pounds from division to division widens so Adamek will have no chance of catching up to Pacquiao in terms of titles won. And of course, outside of the fact that they move up in weight to take on new challenges, comparisons between Adamek and Pacquiao will more or less stop.
However, it is amazing to see what the former 175 pounder Adamek has been able to do jumping from division to division. All the while, not losing his habit of participating in action packed fights that fans remember for years to come.
At light heavyweight, he both won and successfully defended his light heavyweight title in two of the most action packed fights of the decade with Australia?s Paul Briggs in 2005 & 2006 respectively. After moving up to cruiserweight, he fought in one of the divisions greatest bouts of all time while winning the title via decision over current top cruiserweight Steve Cunningham.
Since moving up to heavyweight, he dominated his fellow countryman and former heavyweight title challenger Andrew Golota en route to a 5th round TKO. He outpointed the slick former United States Olympian Jason Estrada en route to a unanimous decision. He also gutted out wins while being outweighed by over 30 and 40 pounds respectively against former title challengers Chris Arreola and Michael Grant.
So while he his speed and boxing ability may be exceptional, they?re not on par with Pacquiao. However, when it comes to moving up in weight to take on new challenges and conquer larger foes, Adamek and Pacquiao and similar spirits.
