Tomasz Adamek And The American Cruiserweight Dream

[BIGPOPPAPUMP]

By Jake Donovan - It wasn't even 18 months ago when Tomasz Adamek was still being regarded as among the best light heavyweights in the world. It was before he ran into Chad Dawson and suffered his first loss, and before he even hinted at the possibility of competing in the cruiserweight ranks.

But with the loss came his gain – in weight and in status. Three straight wins at cruiserweight couldn't have come at a better time, nor could his willingness to further enhance his profile in America. With linear champion David Haye in pursuit of heavyweight dollars and glory, the top spot is up for grabs – though not very long, if Tomasz Adamek gets his way.

"Cruiserweight is a strong division right now," says Adamek, through translator and manager Ziggy Rozalski. "It will be even stronger with me on top very soon."

Before he can zoom to the very top of the mountain, the 31-year old Polish southpaw has to take care of business this Friday. A 10-round stay busy fight against durable journeyman Gary Gomez is on tap for the main event of this week's edition of ESPN2's Friday Night Fights (Friday, Chicago, IL, 9PM ET/8PM local time).

A win over Gomez will pave the way for a mandatory title shot against cruiserweight titlist Steve Cunningham in the fall, but don't expect a simulation of the fight this weekend. Cunningham is a lean, chiseled well-schooled boxer with respectable power.

Gomez…isn't.

Aptly nicknamed "Pit Bull", what Gomez brings to the table is the potential to give Adamek some rounds and fits, while further increasing Adamek's exposure in America.

"Gomez is a short stocky guy, and walks right in, a lot like Adamek," says Hall-of-Fame promoter J. Russell Peltz, the current boxing consultant for Main Events, who along with 8-Count Productions host this weekend's fight card. "It's the type of fight that the fans will love, and help arouse more interest in Adamek and the cruiserweight division. It would be nice to get cruiserweight action in the States."

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[WLAD OWNS]

Tomasz Adamek is the Best Cruiserweight in the world IMO.

Watch out for Russian Alexander Alexeev (15-0 14 KO's), he is the best cruiserweight prospect and he will be the future champ of the division.

[Dan...]

Tomasz Adamek is the Best Cruiserweight in the world IMO.

Watch out for Russian Alexander Alexeev (15-0 14 KO's), he is the best cruiserweight prospect and he will be the future champ of the division.

If Adamek really is the best out there then the cruiserweight division really is completely ****ed.

[Easy-E]

If Adamek really is the best out there then the cruiserweight division really is completely ****ed.

True, my Adamek got whipped by a lightweight and he is the best cruiser?
Sad.

[Guest]

True, my Adamek got whipped by a lightweight and he is the best cruiser?
Sad.

He kicked O'Neil Bell's ass and put Dawson on his ass. He's a tough fighter. He beat Briggs despite having a broken nose in training the first fight.
He comes to fight so he's a major player in the division and the higher weight seems to suit him better.


When he uses his boxing skills he's tough to beat.

[Drunk Punch]

CW is a strong division, now the undisputed champion has left? Oh please.

[The Hammer]

Cruiserweight is very deep in talent, although some will deny it because their hatred for "Euros".

Haye ducked the slick Steve Cunningham for a good reason - he would have lost. Banks, Kraj, Frenkel, and Alexeev are up-and-coming, world-class young fighters. Arslan and Adamek are very good, but will soon be replaced by these younger boxers.

[Guest]

Cruiserweight is very deep in talent, although some will deny it because their hatred for "Euros".

Haye ducked the slick Steve Cunningham for a good reason - he would have lost. Kraj, Frenkel, Alexeev, and Banks are very good up-and-coming, world-class young fighters. Arslan and Adamek are very good, but will soon be replaced by these younger fighters.

I'd like to see some of the guys you mentioned. I didn't think Arslan was anything special, but if Kraj beat Godfrey I'd say he's pretty good.
Would like to see Alexeev but have a feeling it will be a little while before he fights someone rated highly.

[slicksouthpaw16]

I like Adamek, its good to see that he is getting his opportunity to show people that he is not a bum and was and can still become a very good champion. Nothing wrong with lossing to Chad Dawson, especially when he put in the effort that he did and was able to finish the fight on his feet. Dawson simply had the wrong style for him.

[The Hammer]

I'd like to see some of the guys you mentioned. I didn't think Arslan was anything special, but if Kraj beat Godfrey I'd say he's pretty good.
Would like to see Alexeev but have a feeling it will be a little while before he fights someone rated highly.

Alexeev is ready now.

He has an excellent amateur record, but lost a close decision to Solis in the 2003 world amateur tournament final and won the silver medal, and again lost a close decision to Solis in the 2004 Olympics, after winning gold in the European tournament.

Alexeev won gold in the 2005 world amateur tournament, after his nemesis Solis moved up to super heavyweight and won another gold.

He had a better amateur career than David Haye, with only those two close losses to Solis. Haye was KOed by Solis in the world amateur tournament in 2001.