Very interesting, to say the least. Tomasz Adamek, former lightheavyweight champion, and current cruiserweight challenger, has rather lofty goals these days. Forget about his Chicago wars with Paul Briggs that brought the entire house down in 2006. Forget about his ESPN fights in 2007 and 2008, with thousands of Polish and Polish-American fans cramming stadiums to see their hero dispose of yet another cruiserweight opponent. And you can forget all about his upcoming cruiser battle with Steve Cunningham (although Cunningham might have something to say about that.) 

They say to NEVER look past an opponent. Worry about the man in front of you. Well, Adamek IS looking past Cunningham, right past the entire weight division, in fact, and into the heavyweight division! As recent as last week, Adamek has been quoted as saying he’d like to get in the ring with Andrew Golota, once Golota’s arm heals from his recent tendon-tearing injury against Ray Austin in their one-round affair, ending with Golota having to pull out of the fight. Talk about a guy who can’t get a break!

But for Adamek to call out Golota, who easily outweighs him by fifty-plus pounds, and has challenged for the heavyweight title at least three times (winning two of them, in my opinion). . . . is just silly. Maybe he’s been watching youtube, saying to himself, “Well, if Roy Jones could move up against Ruiz and win a heavyweight strap, then so can I.”

This is flawed thinking. Golota loses against fighters that pound him with power shots. Golota loses when fighters intimidate him. Golota even loses when he, himself, isn’t psychologically “ready” to fight. But against a man THAT much smaller than him? Only one shot would end the fight for the “Foul Pole”.

Remember, this is the man who twice had Riddick Bowe down and out (only to lose due to DQ). He has stood with Tyson and Lewis, he lost a terrible decision to Ruiz, and was robbed with a dubious “draw” against Chris Byrd. Byrd is as mobile and jab-happy as a heavyweight has been in the last 30 years, so what is Adamek going to show Golota that he hasn’t seen, and in many eyes, overcome?

Golota even recently won a lopsided unanimous decision over a young powerhouse named Mike Mollo in a battle of Chicago-based heavies. Mollo was heavily favored in that fight, and Golota acted as if Mollo didn’t even belong in the ring with him.

If you want to wait for Golota to heal up his arm, then go ahead, Tomasz. If you want to challenge him, go for it. But remember, he’s got tons more experience than you, and has stood with the best for over a decade. His record might be deceiving, though.

But if you do, in fact, fight him. . . .PLEASE do it in Chicago!

***Chris Guzman has hosted The Bolo Punch Boxing Hour since 2002.

In light of Joe Calzaghe’s recent comments that American fighters are less than wonderful these days, and that European fighters are the best in the world, I thought it might be interesting to ask some of the bigger names in the sport today to offer their opinions on the Saturday night mega-fight between Calzaghe and Roy Jones, Jr.

Nate Campbell, unified lightweight champion: “I think Roy just has too much experience for Calzaghe. Everybody says that Roy has lost a bit of his snap, but I don’t think he’s slipped. He might not be as quick as he used to be, but Calzaghe won’t be able to take all that Roy has left. I’m not impressed with Calzaghe’s undefeated record. Go back and look at his fight against Byron Mitchell (2003). They stopped that fight way too early. No one even talks about that fight anymore. Mitchell knocked down Joe, and he got back up. But, as soon as Calzaghe knocked down Mitchell, they stopped the fight. He’s been protected. Roy will win a decision.”

James “Buddy” McGirt, trainer extraordinaire and former world champion: “It’s gonna be a great fight, but I’m going with Roy. I think Roy beats him. A decision, for sure. No stoppage. I don’t think Calzaghe’s ever stepped into the ring with someone with the speed of Roy Jones. I was kinda shocked, to be honest with you, that he’d make a comment like that (referring to Calzaghe’s recent comments that American fighters are a distant second to European fighters), because I would never expect to hear something like that from him. I’ve hung around him, I’ve hung around his father, and that just doesn’t sound like him.”

Edward Brophy, President of International Boxing Hall of Fame: “It’s going to be an interesting fight. I’m interested to see when that bell rings and watch the first round, as their styles come together. We’ll see who’s in tip-top shape, and I think that will pertain to the outcome of this fight. Roy’s probably got a bit more ring experience. I won’t pick a winner, but it will go the final bell, and there will be a definitive decision.”

Johnathon Banks, IBO cruiserweight champion: “Yeah, Joe’s been talking his mess. He’s going totally overboard, because America has a lot of really great fighters that work hard, so that’s all a bunch of B.S. What, we never even heard of him until Jeff Lacy. I can’t call Jeff lazy. You certainly can’t call Bernard Hopkins lazy. On this fight, I’m sticking with Roy. This fight is actually a toss-up, and it shouldn’t be. This SHOULD be a totally one-sided fight. When Roy fell off his “cliff”, to where he fell to now, he’s now on the same level as Joe Calzaghe. Roy was the Superman of our time. He even went to heavyweight and won a belt. Joe doesn’t have anything that Roy’s never seen. Roy’s actually looking to get into the ring with a slick boxer like Joe. Like I said, this fight is a toss-up, and that’s NOT a compliment to Calzaghe. I cannot let Roy go. . . I cannot give this fight to Joe. It’s hard to say whether it will be a stoppage or a decision. Going off their last performances, and their styles, I have to say that actually, I don’t really see this fight going the distance. The one thing people forget about Roy is that he can punch. Roy is a natural puncher, to the body or head. Never count Roy Jones out.”

Thomas Treiber, acclaimed ring announcer: “If I were a betting man, I would probably put my money on Calzaghe, and I’m smelling a decision here. I would think it’s going to be a competitive fight. Roy is one of the best fighters to ever put on the gloves, but I think his time might have passed.”

Chazz Witherspoon, heavyweight contender: “You can’t take Roy Jones lightly. Up until Roy lost, nobody would even fight Roy. It sounds funny that Calzaghe has all this funny stuff to say about Roy now, but where were these comments when both of them were in their prime? This is an older Roy, and Joe knows he can get away with comments like that now. If the old Roy shows up, it’s probably going to be “lights out” for Calzaghe. Joe, on the other hand, is a fast-handed fighter, who knows how to box. That will present a problem to anybody. Like I said, though, if the old Roy shows up, I think he’ll run straight through Calzaghe.”

BJ Flores, USBA cruiserweight champion: “I think Joe is just trying to generate a little bit more interest in the fight (with those disrespectful comments) . . . he’s just trying to stir the pot a little bit. It’s such a tough pick, as far as who will win. I think the logical knowledge is that we have to go with Joe Calzaghe, with the men that he’s beaten. Roy hasn’t beaten a real top guy in a number of years. It’s tough to say how Roy will handle a top guy, even though Joe did just make the jump up from 168. With all that said, Roy’s still the best counterpuncher in the game, and I think it depends early on with how he adapts to Joe’s speed. I pick Joe to win a unanimous decision. I want to say, though, that I hope Roy wins by letting his hands go tonight. If he does that, he can absolutely win. I gotta go with picking Joe Calzaghe, but I hope Roy Jones wins.”

Lamon Brewster, former heavyweight champion: “It’s going to be Roy Jones’ feet versus Joe Calzaghe’s hands. If Roy can get his feet in position, he can be way more effective and maybe even knock Calzaghe out, because if Calzaghe can’t position his feet properly to let those hands go, he’s not going to be effective. It is a chess match, you have to use your feet AND your hands. The compelling factor in this fight is that Roy Jones has the best feet in the world. If he gets his feet positioned correctly, he can throw that hook from lots of different angles. If he keeps this up over the course of the fight, Calzaghe will never be able to get set and let his hands go. It could be, but I doubt seriously that this will be a war. This is going to be one of the best “chess match” fights you’ll ever see. I would lean more towards Roy Jones, only because, for me, I love a guy who uses his feet the way Roy does. Calzaghe’s a great, proven champion, but he’s never fought a Roy Jones. . .with the foot speed, hand speed, and power of Roy. That will be the difference. I pick Roy to win a decision.”

Shannon Briggs, two-time heavyweight champion: (laughs) “That’s funny, actually. Speaking as the last American heavyweight champion, I think Joe is just caught up in the moment, giving a bit a lip service. He is a champion, a good one at that. I wouldn’t say great, but good. I’m hoping that Roy wins because I want to see him and Bernard fight again. I fought on the undercard of their first fight (Riddick Bowe vs. Jesse Ferguson) and we need electricity like we had that night. Those two belong in the ring together! As far as Roy and Joe is concerned, I’m terrible at picking fights! I’ll mention, though, that I just left the gym about an hour ago. A man walked up to me asking me who Roy was fighting tonight. He didn’t even know WHO Roy’s opponent was! I’d like to see Roy pull it off. I know Roy has trouble with southpaws sometimes, like Tarver. It’s exciting, and it helps to build the anticipation, which is always a good thing.

Bert Randolph Sugar, boxing writer and HOF member: (As usual, Bert used his unique style of humor to open up his comments). “What can be said about Joe Calzaghe that hasn’t already been said? His best fight was against Mikkel Kessler, who’s from Denmark, which has a rich history of famous boxers, including the likes of Hans Christian Anderson. . . . .anyway. . . I think you’ll see both a checkers match and a chess match. Roy Jones, Jr. moves, and so does Calzaghe. But Calzaghe is an EverReady bunny who just continues to throw punches, oftentimes over a thousand punches in a fight. It’s up to Roy Jones to engage him, and NOT rely upon his usual “one punch at a time” offense. He’s got to throw flurries. His hands are faster, but he doesn’t have the volume to outhustle Calzaghe who will outhustle him. Another thing he cannot afford to do, and we saw this against Glencoffe Johnson, is go to the ropes and put his arms up, with his gloves to his ears like earmuffs. He’s basically going to have to go to the ropes and fight him. If he does this, I give him a chance. If he doesn’t, Calzaghe will overwhelm him. It’s up to Roy Jones to make the fight. Calzaghe, on the other hand, says this is his last fight. He wants to retire at 46-0, and be in the upper stratosphere with Rocky Marciano, retiring on top with more than 40 wins and an undefeated record. (Overall, without giving a definitive answer, I assume that, in the context of this interview, that Bert believes that Calzaghe will prevail.)

So, going off the opinions given, the tally is 6 for Jones, 3 for Calzaghe, and one undecided. I guess we’ll just have to see with this one. It’s just so close, but personally, I think Roy is ready to really shine again. I’m picking Roy to win by stoppage late in the fight.

***Chris Guzman has hosted The Bolo Punch Boxing Hour since 2002.

 Steve”2-Pound” Forbes Painting by Chris Guzman

In an exclusive interview with former world champion and Contender runner-up Steve “2-Pound” Forbes, he speaks quite candidly about tonight’s fight between Roy Jones, Jr. and Joe Calzaghe.

“I’m looking for the upset. . . I’m going with Roy on this one. Roy has fought the better opposition over the years, and throws a lot of punches for basically being a counterpuncher. Calzaghe got knocked down by Hopkins, and Hopkins doesn’t even throw a lot of punches like Roy does. I don’t think Calzaghe has the punching power to stand up to Roy, either. If Roy gets in there and starts having fun like he used to, he’s going to win. I like Roy in this one.”

Loyal Bolo Punch Boxing Hour listeners will remember that on this past Thursday’s broadcast our opinions were mixed, with Chris Guzman and Emil “Soda Popinski” Kegebein both going with Jones, whereas Tim “the Producer” Paterson and Ray Flores both thought Calzaghe would stay undefeated. Guzman added that a late round stoppage by Roy wouldn’t surprise him.

***Chris Guzman has hosted The Bolo Punch Boxing Hour since 2002.

October 22, 2008 - (Merrillville, IN) The Gary PAL has offered a refuge for youth of the City of Gary for nearly thirty years. Opening its doors daily Coach John Taylor has created an outreach that has continued to grasp the interest of the children in the City.       (Pictured Above directly after the floods the Gary P.A.L. Gym was surrounded by a lake of water much like it’s neighbor Indiana University Northwest.)Nearly a month has passed and for many the historical flooding of September can still be felt. Though the waters have receded and the streets have dried some still remain displaced. The hard rains had affected the whole region and closed down roads and schools. Indiana University Northwest Gary Campus was one of the campuses most greatly affected by the flooding having numerous campus structures damaged.          (Coach John Taylor instructs kids from the Gary P.A.L. Amateur Program now training at the One In A Million Gym) Just the length of a football field north of the campus sat one of the City of Gary’s strongest youth organizations. In a little old building The Gary P.A.L. (Police Athletic League), which has been a safe haven for the youth of Gary since 1979 sat deep under water.Coach John Taylor who began this program and still runs it today said this was the worst it had ever been since they had started. “The longest we have ever had closed before was a couple of days, but with this much damage I am not sure when or if we are going to be able to reopen. The flooding ruined everything; the water was above the ring, which is about 5 feet high.”The Gary P.A.L. is a simple program, it is a amateur youth boxing program at no cost to the participants and one that Coach Taylor has personally picked up the kids and brought them to the gym for years. He has continuously sought to better the youth of the City and offer them an outlet and mentor them to succeed not only in the ring, but also in life. “Octavius said bring the kids in immediately after he heard about the flooding and the damage to our gym. And we have been here at the One In A Million Gym ever since.” Taylor said. “This has been a true blessing because if we hadn’t had a place to train I would have lost all of our kids. Once they lose interest, they are gone and back to the streets, fortunately the kids love it here at One In A Million, saying how it is the nicest boxing gym they have ever seen. Also, Octavius has assured me that he will have a meeting with Mayor Clay (referring to the Mayor of Gary) discussing if the City will be able to assist me & the children in returning back to our home gym. It makes me happy to know we can continue such a rich tradition of keeping the kids off the streets, and helping create more World Champions.”               (Coach Taylor oversees a youth sparring session)          (Coach Taylor displays proper form for one of his boxers)With the damage too extensive to fix and with the children of the Gary P.A.L. left homeless One In A Million Boxing CEO Octavius James welcomed in Coach Taylor and his kids with open arms immediately after hearing of the flooding at the Gary P.A.L. “Being from the City of Gary and seeing what a significant role John Taylor has been in helping the youth of the City, there was no hesitation on our part to give Coach Taylor and the Gary P.A.L. amateurs a place to train for as long as they need. Many amateurs, now fighting Professionally for One In A Million Boxing have come from the Gary P.A.L. including past & present fighters, from Angel Manfredy, Derrick “Superman” Findley, NABC Female Lightweight Champion “Merciless” Mary McGee along with many others.”Visit us online at: www.oneinamillionboxing.comFor more information Contact: info@OneInAMillionBoxing.com # # #

Permalink Comments