Adamek's Left Hand Injured, Return May Get Pushed Back

By Keith Idec

NEW YORK — Tomasz Adamek suffered a serious injury to his left hand during his win against Nagy Aguilera on Saturday night.

The popular Polish heavyweight contender’s left hand was severely swollen early Sunday morning, so swollen and painful that Adamek acknowledged he might have to reschedule his next fight. Kathy Duva, whose Main Events co-promotes Adamek, had planned for Adamek to return to the ring June 16 at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.

Adamek, who resides in nearby Kearny, N.J., has helped draw large crowds to Prudential Center for seven fights since December 2008. Atlanta’s Kevin Johnson (25-1-1, 11 KOs) is among the opponents under consideration for that bout, but Duva didn’t seem optimistic after seeing Adamek’s hand that he’d be able to prepare properly and compete in a fight that’s less than three months away.

“These are things that are out of our hands,” Duva said. “If it’s not meant to be, then we’ll figure something else out.”

Duva added that she wasn’t sure if the June 16 card, which will be televised by NBC Sports Network, will remain at Prudential Center.

“I’ve got to think about that,” she said. “It’ll depend.”

The 35-year-old Adamek (45-2, 28 KOs) said that he hurt his left hand during the third round against Aguilera. He also injured his right hand in “the fifth or sixth round,” but he doesn’t think that injury is nearly as significant as the damage done to his left hand.

Adamek planned to go to the hospital Sunday to have X-rays taken on both hands. The former light heavyweight and cruiserweight champion suspects that there’s a fracture in his left hand.

He wasn’t quite sure because he has never had real hand problems during his 13-year pro career.

“It’s the first time,” a smiling Adamek said. “I’m old. That may be why.”

Adamek defeated Aguilera (17-7, 12 KOs), of Newburgh, N.Y., by wide margins on all three scorecards (100-90, 100-90, 99-91) in the second of three fights broadcast by NBC Sports Network from Aviator Sports & Events Center. He hurt Aguilera with a right hand at the end of the fourth round, which left Aguilera wobbling toward his corner.

An aggressive Aguilera kept the fight competitive in the fifth round, though, and landed some solid power punches against Adamek during the second half of their 10-round fight.

“I got [hit] with a couple punches,” Adamek said. “Aguilera isn’t an easy fight, but I was quick. Speed is my advantage.”

Aguilera, 25, lost for the fifth time in seven fights. But unlike his early-round knockout losses to Chris Arreola (35-2, 30 KOs) and Samuel Peter (34-5, 27 KOs), as well as his 10-round decision defeat to Antonio Tarver (29-6, 20 KOs), he was reasonably competitive against Adamek, who won his first fight since WBC champion Vitali Klitschko (44-2, 40 KOs) dominated him Sept. 10 in Wroclaw, Poland.

“I hit him many, many times, but he changed his style,” Adamek said. “He’s always fighting defensively. He loves defense, but with me, he attacked me.”

Keith Idec covers boxing for The Record and Herald News, of Woodland Park, N.J., and BoxingScene.com.