GOLOTA: Could not justify his vast support WHEN Tomasz Adamek faces Michael Grant at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, this Saturday, I am not going because I expect to see a competitive fight. (Who knows what Grant brings to the table these days, but my expectations are low.) I am going because I love watching Adamek, who has become one of the few certifiable stars in the sport. And I?m anxious to witness his fans that come out in droves when he fights at this facility; to me, they are as much a part of the show as the fighter himself. Composed mainly of Polish-Americans and newly-arrived Polish immgrants, they are an unabashedly loud and raucous group. God help the poor soul who finds himself sitting in the wrong section, cheering for the wrong man, Grant.
I first noticed something different about the red-flag-waving Polska fans when Andrew Golata came on the scene. I couldn?t believe the passion they had for the promising (but chronically self-sabotaging) heavyweight or the sheer numbers he drew. I never felt that the industry fully appreciated how remarkable his following was, be it in New York, Atlantic City, his adopted Chicago or his native Poland. Imagine if Golota had believed in his abilities the way his fans did? Imagine if he were a real winner instead of a guy who inexplicably threw away huge victories that were easily in hand?
In Adamek we may have some answers. Capable and exciting like Golota, he?s also a self-confident winner, a man who will do whatever it takes to secure victory. Promoter Kathy Duva of Main Events must have been keeping a watchful eye on the Poles all along. Not only did her signing of Adamek save her struggling company, but her creating a relationship with the Prudential Center was as timely as it was canny. This will be Adamek?s fifth fight at the arena since December 2008 against Steve Cunningham. That was a Fight of the Year candidate that drew big and earned Adamek the IBF cruiser belt. A couple of months later he did big numbers there again, disposing of Jonathan Banks. Later in the year he came back for a tune-up against journeyman Bobby Gunn. He began this year in Newark against Jason Estrada, for his second fight at heavyweight.
After beating Chris Arreola last April ? this time in California ? Adamek officially proved himself a legitimate player in his new weight class. In fighting the towering 6ft 7in Grant, it?s clear he?s got Klitschko(s) on the brain. Grant only resembles the Ukrainians brothers in terms of stature. Still, I like Adamek?s way of thinking. Boxing needs more fighters like him.
Despite Adamek?s established popularity, the boxing scene in these parts has lost a lot of steam over the past couple of years. Simply put, most of the homegrown talent, which was generally promoted by Lou DiBella and showcased in his Broadway Boxing series, has gotten knocked off.
The most recent local hope to fall was Danny Jacobs, who was going to be the centerpiece of Golden Boy Promotions? forthcoming monthly series at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. There?s a dearth of young talent here and if GBP expects to use local fighters and have a successful series, it will likely need to work with all of the local promoters who have quality local fighters.
Two young Brooklynites who will be on Saturday?s card and who are, indeed, quality, are 2008 US Olympian Sadam Ali and Shemuel Pagan. Welterweight Ali will be having his ninth fight as a pro in a considerable step-up against Lenin Arroyo. His bout will be part of the PPV broadcast. Pagan, who will be off-TV, is a five-time NY Golden Gloves champion, the first fighter to do so since Mark Breland did it in 1984. The lightweight will be having his pro debut. He has not yet been signed by a promoter but few doubt his potential. His explosiveness and punching power recalls a young Zab Judah.
