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Tomasz Adamek: The Vinny Maddalone Risk

By Geno McGahee

Tomasz Adamek, 42-1, 27 KO’s, is on a collision course with WBC Heavyweight Champion, Vitali Klitschko, and has been very impressive in his heavyweight fights thus far. Moving up from 175 pounds, winning titles from the light heavyweight to cruiserweight division, Adamek now wants to follow in the footsteps of David Haye and win a heavyweight title.

As a heavyweight Adamek has beaten top contender Chris Arreola, former title challenger, Andrew Golota, fringe contender Jason Estrada, and most recently, the gigantic Michael Grant via decision. He has shown the mobility and grit to be a top heavyweight, but his tendency to get hit clean makes the scenario of a knockout loss a likely one with power-punchers of the heavyweight division.

Vinny Maddalone, 33-6, 24 KO’s, has been featured on ESPN’s Friday Night fights, and is a crowd favorite with his gutsy aggressive approach to boxing. In 2004, he led on the cards when a left hook from Brian Minto knocked him out. He continued winning the majority of his fights, but never being able to step up and beat the next level. Minto would knock him out in a rematch, this time in seven rounds. Evander Holyfield stopped him on a cut, and he was one of the few to go the distance with Denis Boytsov, showing his experience, which he will need all that and more should he hope to beat Adamek.

At this point, everyone is looking beyond Maddalone, and if Adamek is in that group, then the power puncher from Flushing Queens, New York, may have the opportunity of a lifetime.

Maddalone has made some valid points leading to this fight on December 9th, in Newark, New Jersey. He points to the Chris Arreola fight and how “The Nightmare” wasn’t effectively aggressive.

Arreola, in both the fight with Adamek and in his fight with Vitali Klitschko, didn’t cut off the ring and merely followed his opponent around the ring. He never cornered either man and took a beating because of it. Maddalone will bull rush him and try to blitz him early and Adamek has been down before.

In 2006, at 175 pounds, Paul Briggs was able to drop Adamek with a right hand. Even though Maddalone doesn’t rank up there with the biggest punchers of the division, he is a strong heavyweight puncher and comes into the ring at an average weight of 230 pounds. Adamek is comfortable at 215, and the extra weight may make a difference. Maddalone is a natural heavyweight as well and that may figure into it.

The problem that Maddalone faces in this fight is the different level of class. Adamek is a top fighter with a lot of talent. He’s a natural light heavyweight that moved up thirty pounds to take on the big men of boxing. Most amazing was his willingness to step into the ring with Grant, a giant and a huge puncher.

The most likely scenario is a late stoppage or unanimous decision victory for Adamek. He has the ability to move around the ring and avoid the incoming, while landing his shots. Although Arreola was nowhere near aggressive enough or even in shape to put the pressure on him, the fight is comparable to this upcoming showdown.

Adamek was able to use his combinations and jabs to bust up the face of Arreola and discourage him from attacking. When he attacked, Adamek moved or held. He would wait or Arreola to tire and then attack. He has a great sense of when to throw and when not to. Even though his chin can be questioned, he did take some big shots from two big heavyweight punchers in Arreola and Grant. He was stunned by both, but he will not quit. He knows how to regroup and rebound. Maddalone has not shown the ability to adjust.

Maddalone has to hope for the lottery numbers to be right. The stars must be aligned. He must press early and let his hands go. The longer the fight goes, the more punishment he will endure and the more he takes, the less likely he will have enough in the tank to put the pressure on to beat Adamek. He will become a sitting duck on the end of his punches, most likely rescued by the referee.

What makes this fight so dangerous is that it is considered “safe” by the majority going into it. Adamek has had several difficult ones in a row…give him an easy one. It’s the idea that Maddalone will be easy that may create a huge upset in the boxing world. He’s got power and he knows that he has one and only one chance to win and that is to attack early and either go out swinging or score the winning blow.

The best piece of news for Maddalone supporters is that he has improved over time and knows how to survive and will hang in there, but can he overcome the vast difference in class? Most likely not, but it will be fun while it lasts.

Adamek’s next fight, should he win, will most likely be a title shot against Vitali Klitschko, and that will be the big moment of truth for the Polish light heavyweight turned heavyweight. He must overcome a slugger with knockout on his mind on the 9th, but he should, and then we will see him in the ring with the hopes of taking over another division. Should Maddalone win, a title shot may be in his future too, which shows just how much is riding on this fight. Whatever happens, it will be fun while it lasts.

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