Adamek One Step Away from a Fight with Klitschko? Everything Depends on the Eliminator

First Vyacheslav Glazkov, then Wladimir Klitschko? According to Kathy Duva, a victory over the Ukrainian could give Tomasz Adamek the second world heavyweight title opportunity of his career. And it could happen later this year.

Six victories at heavyweight led Tomasz Adamek to a fight for the WBC title. In Wrocław, however, the Pole was unable to seriously threaten Vitali Klitschko. In theory, a sixth victory since that defeat could open the “Góral”’s path to another fight for the most important prize in the heavyweight division.

If Adamek defeats Glazkov on Saturday, he will record his 50th professional victory. Before that, since 1999, he boxed at light heavyweight, and from 2007 to 2009 he also competed at cruiserweight. He won world titles in both divisions.

The prize at stake in the bout in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, will be second place in the IBF rankings. It is possible, however, that the winner of the Polish-Ukrainian clash will receive a much more valuable reward. Kathy Duva, the promoter of both fighters at Main Events, claims that the fight could even be for the status of mandatory challenger for a bout with Wladimir Klitschko, the IBF champion and also the holder of the WBA and WBO belts.

It is not out of the question that IBF rankings leader Kubrat Pulev will choose a fight with Dereck Chisora. The Bulgarian and the Briton would then fight for challenger status, but under the WBO.

“Pulev cannot take part in both a WBO and an IBF eliminator at the same time. No sanctioning body would agree to that. If his fight with Chisora is recognized as an eliminator, we will apply for Adamek’s fight with Glazkov to become the final eliminator for a bout with IBF world champion Wladimir Klitschko,” Duva told Przemysław Garczarczyk, a Polish journalist working in the United States.

The purse bid for the Pulev–Chisora fight is scheduled for next Tuesday. However, it cannot be ruled out that the Bulgarian’s promoters from Germany’s Sauerland Event will change their plans. If Adamek wins on Saturday, they may begin negotiations with the Pole’s camp. The third possibility is a Pulev–Klitschko fight, which would take place in Germany.

“At a Crossroads”
The slogan promoting the Adamek–Glazkov fight is not accidental. For one of the boxers, this bout could mark the end of a particular road. In the event of defeat, 37-year-old Adamek is unlikely to make a third attempt to return to the elite. His goal would be another fight for the heavyweight world title.

At 29, Glazkov is not yet constrained by age to the same extent as the Pole. After merely solid performances against Malik Scott—which ended in a draw—and Garrett Wilson, whom he defeated on points, he too still has plenty to prove. A clear defeat to “Góral” could seriously hinder his efforts to build a major career in the United States.

Przemysław Osiak, przegladsportowy.pl