“The Czar” better than “The Highlander.” Adamek loses the biggest fight of his career

In the main event of the evening in Bethlehem, Vyacheslav Glazkov (17-0-1, 11 KO) scored the biggest victory of his career. The Ukrainian unanimously defeated our two-time world champion, Tomasz Adamek (49-3, 29 KO), on points. Several pre-fight theories were confirmed. First, “The Czar” found a way to beat “The Highlander.” Second, the main event saw a symbolic passing of the torch. A younger boxer replaced a star stepping off the stage.

The opening belonged to the Pole. Adamek was more active. Although he did not land as accurately as his opponent, he most likely won the first two, and perhaps even three, rounds. The complexion of the fight changed in the fourth. Glazkov began landing more frequently, and the first signs of his advantage appeared on Tomek’s face. First, the Pole’s right eye began to close; later, his nose started bleeding. The Ukrainian’s jab worked very well. Adamek, meanwhile, was not sufficiently attentive defensively.

Glazkov won several rounds in a row. For a moment, it seemed that he was beginning to break Adamek down and would try to finish the bout before the final bell. Fortunately, Tomasz had not forgotten how to box. He countered his opponent’s youth and strength with vast experience and tremendous fighting spirit.

Near the end of the eighth round, “The Czar” hurt Adamek with a right hook. The Pole survived the crisis, but his situation looked bleak. Glazkov’s offensive continued in the ninth. However, “The Highlander” is not a handpicked opponent. Beginning in the tenth round, he unexpectedly fought his way back into the contest. The championship rounds should have gone to him. The two-time world champion seized the initiative and began breaking down his tired opponent. It was not enough to make up the deficit, however.

The judges scored the bout 117-110, 117-111 and 116-112. Those verdicts were somewhat too wide. Glazkov’s unanimous victory, however, was by no means a scandal. Even with scoring more favorable to the Pole, it would be difficult to give him more than six rounds. Tomek’s best years are behind him, and he knows that his chance to fight for a world title has just slipped away. He did not clearly say whether he intends to continue his career.

“I don’t know what will happen next with my career. I do know that I will never fight for a title again. It’s impossible,” Adamek told NBC in an interview. We will therefore have to wait for a decision from our two-time world champion. It cannot be ruled out that Tomek will decide to hang up his gloves.

Leszek Dudek, bokser.org