Tomasz Adamek: The Michael Grant Risk
By Geno McGahee
Former Light Heavyweight and Cruiserweight Champion, Tomasz Adamek, 41-1, 27 KO’s, proved that he belonged in the heavyweight class with a decision win over top rated contender, Chris Arreola. Adamek mixes boxing skills with a decent punch and a general feel for the game. He is a natural fighter, but some still question him as a heavyweight.
When Adamek faced Arreola, he looked small by comparison and was rattled on a few occasions by the bigger fighter. To his credit, Adamek survived and regrouped, battering the bigger man for the majority of the fight.
With the first big test at heavyweight out of the way, he now shifts his focus to the two fighters considered to be the top of the division: IBO/IBF/WBO Heavyweight Champion Wladimir Klitschko and older brother, WBC Heavyweight Champion Vitali Klitschko. In order to be ready for the size differential, Adamek has chosen a blast from the past in Michael Grant, 46-3, 34 KO’s, for a showdown to take place on August 21st.
When HBO was seeking the next big thing in boxing, Michael Grant seemed to fill the spot. He was huge, possessed a big punch, and showed a lot of heart. In 1997, Grant landed a television showcase against Lionel Butler. Butler would land low on Grant several times before being disqualified. It wasn’t the fight that he wanted but a win was a win.
In his next fight, he picked up the IBC Heavyweight Title with a TKO win over former cruiserweight kingpin, Al Cole. Cole was known for his durability and the knockout win was an impressive feather in the cap for Grant. Five months later, he would flatten former contender, Jorge Luis Gonzalez in the first round. HBO would come calling and present him against fringe contender, David Izon in his next outing.
Izon was considered to be a good test for the giant. He was durable, going 12 rounds with David Tua before running into a left hook in the final seconds of the fight. He would rebound with a knockout victory over Lou Savarese, heading into this showdown with Grant. It wasn’t close as Izon just took a beating, succumbing to the punishment in the fourth round.
Victories over Obed Sullivan and Lou Savarese would lead to a high profile headliner against Andrew Golota. At this point, Golota had only lost to Riddick Bowe twice by disqualification and once to Lennox Lewis by devastating first round stoppage. It was fair to say that Golota was only beaten once and he was blitzed.
In the opening round, Golota landed and sent Grant to the floor. Grant would arise only to be knocked down again. He would survive the rest of the first round, regain his composure and systematically beat Golota until he quit in the 10th round. That would lead to a 2000 showdown with Lennox Lewis.
A visibly nervous Grant attacked Lewis without caution, landing a right hand but leaving himself wide open for counters from the experienced champion. Lewis would stop the challenger in two rounds, although there was a protest. Lewis was holding and hitting, keeping Grant’s head in place while he launched the uppercut. It was a dirty tactic and it cost Grant his perfect record and his status as a threat to the title.
Disaster would strike again when Grant took on Jameel McCline. A left hook in the first seconds of the bout put Grant down and it would cause an ankle injury that would stop the bout in the first round. It was halted at the 43 second mark.
Going back to square one, Grant would take on lesser opposition, stopping seven opponents in a row before being given another showcase on HBO against prospect, Dominick Guinn in 2003. Guinn was able to withstand the punch of Grant and come back with his own, stopping him in the seventh round.
Since that defeat, Grant has gone 8-0, 5 KO’s, undefeated since 2003, but the competition has not been the best. The collective record of his opposition has been 124 wins, 53 losses, and 6 draws, meaning that they have a winning percentage of 68%. There is nobody of note in recent fights. He has been feasting on journeymen. Some are decent journeymen like Billy Zumbrun, but none of them are anywhere near the level of Adamek.
At 37 years old, Grant is still a major risk to the Polish heavyweight. Grant still possesses that enormous right hand and he will only need one to win if he can land, or if he gets a chance to.
What makes Adamek a large favorite in this fight is his ability to adapt and stick to a game plan. The strategy when he faced Arreola was sound. He boxed him, using his superior skill to confuse him and stay out of trouble. With Grant, he will be aggressive, stay close and use his shorter punches to stop him if he can. Grant will attempt to stay on the outside and unload his power shots, but has the soft opposition over the last seven years coupled with father time too much for him to overcome a fighter like Tomasz Adamek? Probably, but it’s still an attractive fight.
For Grant, it’s one last chance to make a run at the title. For Adamek, it will be more proof that he belongs in the land of the giants. Expect an interesting fight that will certainly not go to the scorecards. One of these men will be stopped on August 21st.