By John F. McKenna (McJack): Former cruiserweight and light heavyweight champion Tomasz “Goral” Adamek (44-1, 28 KO’s) will be facing long odds when he squares off against WBC heavyweight champion Vitali “Dr. Ironfist” Klitschko (42-2, 39 KO’s) in just two weeks.

Adamek’s dream of fighting before his people in Poland will be realized on September 10 at Wroclaw, Poland. Upwards of 44,000 of “Goral’s” fans will be in the newly constructed soccer stadium to root for their hero.

Adamek stepped up to heavyweight on October 24, 2009 to score a 5th round TKO over fellow pole Andrew Golota. The fight drew the largest internet viewership in history in Poland.

Next Adamek defeated Jason Estrada by unanimous decision in his quest to land a heavyweight title shot. On April 24, 2010 Tomasz took on Chris Arreola. Arreola at that point was still undecided as to how committed he was to getting in shape. Adamek came in at 217 pounds for the Arreola fight, while Chris came in at 250 ½” pounds. “Goral” out maneuvered, out punched and outwitted Arreola to win the decision.

Next Tomasz defeated Michael Grant and followed that up with a TKO victory over Vincent Maddalone in the 5th round. In his latest fight on April 9, 2011 Adamek won a decision against the lumbering and slow moving Kevin McBride.

What Adamek has earned with his six victories since moving up to heavyweight is a chance at fistic immortality. “Goral” understands more than anyone that the odds are stacked against him in his fight with Vitali.

Vitali Klitschko at 6’7 ½” and 250 pounds would be a tough opponent for any fighter in any era. Boxing fans as a whole are just now beginning to realize just how good Vitali is. At forty years old it appears that he has drank from the fountain of youth.

Tomasz has a game plan and did not come this far to fail by falling on his shield. He really thinks he can win on Sept 10. He most certainly does not wish to embarrass himself as David Haye did in July. He knows he cannot overpower his huge opponent. His plan will likely be to move in and out quickly, landing rapid combinations. Adamek is hopeful that he will be able to land body shots in an attempt to slow Vitali down. While his chances at success may seem remote to most observers, just imagine the joy in Wroclaw if Tomasz Adamek somehow manages to pull it off. Stranger things have happened in boxing.

Adamek’s height is listed at 6’2 ½”, but that appears to be a little bit of a stretch. He weighs 220 pounds, so by any standard, in this era of super sized heavyweights, he is a small heavyweight. To illustrate just how much things have changed over the years, Sonny Liston was 6’1” and weighed 214 pounds when he fought Cassius Clay in 1964. Clay was 6’ 3” and weighed 210 pounds. In that era Liston and Clay were considered to be large heavyweights.

After the bitter disappointment which followed David Haye’s performance against
Vladimir Klitschko boxing fans are almost reluctant to get their hopes up too high that the Adamek – Klitschko fight will be competitive. But boxing fans are amazing in their resilience. As jaded as they have been by the recent events in the heavyweight division, it will only take one good, competitive match for them to get back on board.