Tomasz Adamek RETIRES From Boxing

By Lou Eisen

Very few pro fighters retire at precisely the opportune time in their respective careers. Most fighters, even all-time greats, will continue to fight until they are decisively and brutally knocked out several times in a row before they are finally convinced to hang up their gloves for good. This is why Tomasz “Goral” Adamek, 49-4, 29 KO’s, who wisely announced his retirement from professional boxing this past week, deserves to be lauded for knowing when to walk away from the sport he loves dearly. His mind was still willing but his body was no longer up to the task. Adamek leaves the punch for pay ranks with his head held high, his brains intact, his legacy secured and his bank accounts flush with money.

Born on December 1st, 1976 in Zywiec, Poland, Adamek was promoted by Kathy Duva, who helped him achieve international boxing stardom. Duva ended up doing very well financially by Adamek. She made him rich and he kept her relevant. It is likely that had Adamek remained in his native Poland during his career, he would never have enjoyed the worldwide acclaim and success that he worked so hard to achieve while living in New Jersey. Adamek came from Poland (after it was no longer under Russian domination), to the United States, without speaking a word of English. All Adamek wanted to do was fight anyone, anywhere at anytime. He ducked no one throughout his career.

Adamek’s ring style was an effective hybrid of the rigid, stand-up straight Eastern European style, as perfected by the Russians and the Western style of fighting, which was not as rigid and allowed for improvisation during a fight in order to adjust to what your opponent is doing. Adamek blended the two different modes of fighting into one singular style that really worked for him. He had a good stiff jab, and a stinging right hook that took him to the very top of two different weight divisions. He put his combinations together well and his timing was superb.

Adamek focused his attack on his rivals bodies until they tired, at which time he shifted his attack upstairs with great success. Adamek also exhibited an effective defense with his hands always held high in front of his face combined with an almost supernatural ability to anticipate what his ring foes were about to do.

That being said, Adamek, loser of his last two fights, in the heavyweight division, no doubt realized before anyone that it was the right time to retire as his best days were now behind him. Promoters will often use a fighter way past his prime if he can still sell tickets. It takes a smart fighter to know when it’s time to walk away for good. It is much easier said than done because most world champions have been boxing since they were seven or eight years old.

Why was retiring a particularly intelligent move on Adamek’s part? Well, there was really nothing left for him to accomplish in the sport of boxing. He had already lost to Klitschko decisively on Sept. 2011, and since Klitschko has shown no signs of slowing down or exiting center stage, there was no solid reason for Adamek to keep fighting as his skills were beginning to diminish.

Unlike the majority of fighters who choose to fight professionally, boxing was very good to Adamek. His decision to retire was based on very sound logic. He already had held the IBF cruiserweight and WBC light-heavyweight world titles so there was really no point in going after them once again for less money than he was already making in the heavyweight ranks.

Adamek is definitely a shoo-in to be unanimously elected to the International Boxing Hall of Fame in five years time. Adamek beat some of the best fighters in three different weight divisions. It was an incredible accomplishment for a fighter from the former Soviet Bloc of countries. Outside of Klitschko, Adamek was one of the most successful fighters ever from Eastern Europe.

Many top fighters from three different weight classes fell before the flashing fists of this fiery Polish warrior. Adamek is the first boxer in a very long time, to not overstay his welcome in boxing. He left on his own accord, which, sadly, happens so rarely these days. Adamek lost his last two pro fights to two heavyweights that were bigger, stronger, younger and hungrier than him; fellow Pole Artur Szpilka and Russian Vyacheslav Glazkov, both won convincing unanimous decision victories over the fading Adamek. By retiring now he is able to secure his legacy for all time.

Being a great boxer requires a lot of things, some obvious and others not so obvious. Of course, you need discipline, conditioning, ring generalship, skills and talent. One major intangible that all great fighters require to succeed is luck; both in the ring and career wise. To be a great fighter you must catch a break somewhere along the line to help boost your career path upwards. Adamek had luck, and a good team behind him.

Now, Adamek is leaving the scene, older, wiser and with a few more aches and pains than when he started. He also exits as arguably the most successful Polish prizefighter of all time. For Adamek, that may very well be his proudest accomplishment.