Potential Haye challenger survives late scare to outpoint Grant
Poland’s heavyweight contender Tomasz Adamek remained on course to challenge either David Haye or the Klitschko brothers by unanimously outpointing Michael Grant over 12 rounds at the Prudential Center in New Jersey on Saturday night. The IBF international and WBO NABO baubles were on the line.
The judges’ lopsided score totals (118-110, 118-111 and 117-111) didn’t tell the whole story however as Adamek was hurt in the sixth and twelfth rounds and finished the contest with cuts above both eyes as Grant made a strong late surge. The fight was screened live in the UK courtesy of fledging pay-per-view platform, Primetime.
Former cruiserweight and light-heavyweight world champion Adamek gave away six inches in height and over three stone in weight to the 6’7, 18st 6 Grant but showed good lateral movement and punch variety to comfortably outbox the tentative giant early on.
The popular Adamek, who attracted over 10,000 fanatical Polish fans to the Prudential Center, survived a scare though when he was wobbled by a big right hand from Grant on the bell to end round six and returned to his corner with a cut to his right eye. Normal service was resumed in the seventh as Grant was unable to capitalise on his fleeting success from the previous session but the American received encouragement in the eighth after Adamek sustained damage to his left eye.
Adamek’s earlier speed and nimble combinations were no longer in evidence as Grant attempted to pressurise the wilting Pole down the stretch. The American, who is best remembered for his two-round annihilation at the hands of Lennox Lewis a decade ago, was guilty of stalking his prey without letting his hands go often enough and Adamek stayed out of harms way.
This plot suddenly shifted in the final round when Grant nailed Adamek with a right hand followed by a left hook which had the Pole briefly stumbling around the ring but Tomasz held on to the bell to clinch a deserved win.
Following his 42nd victory in 43 fights Adamek, currently ranked WBA #9, WBC #5, IBF #3 and WBO #3, is closing in on a world heavyweight title shot next year. A fight against either of the Klitschko brothers would be a huge money-spinner in Germany or Poland but Adamek could also be an attractive proposition for WBA king David Haye. The 33-year-old Pole has fought in Britain on four previous occasions and stopped Israel Khumalo on his pro debut at Bowler’s Arena in Manchester in March 1999.
Haye is expected to make the second defence of his WBA crown against Audley Harrison in November. Reigning WBO and IBF champion Wladimir Klitschko is set to defend his WBO and IBF titles against Sam Peter in a rematch in Frankfurt on 11 September whilst WBC title-holder Vitali Klitschko takes on Shannon Briggs on 16 October in Hamburg.
