“Tiger” advises Adamek to walk away from boxing

Numerous experts commented on the course and verdict of Tomasz Adamek’s Saturday fight with Vyacheslav Glazkov. In Przegląd Sportowy, Dariusz Michalczewski, the former professional world champion at light heavyweight (1994–2003) and cruiserweight (1994), also offered his opinion. “Tiger” suggests that “The Highlander” end his boxing career.

I am very disappointed because I care about Polish boxers’ victories and do not like watching them lose. If Tomek Adamek has an idea for his life after boxing, he should retire. If, however, he still needs to earn money, he can continue boxing, but he will no longer enter the ring as the favorite. Instead, he will become cannon fodder for younger fighters and their promoters. He should hang up his gloves. Otherwise, he will begin to diminish his career. I made my decision long before my final fight, while I was still world champion.

After this bout, Tomek took a huge step backward. And Vyacheslav Glazkov is a fairly raw fighter. At most, he could polish Wladimir Klitschko’s boots. Nothing is working in Tomek’s boxing at present. He stands with his legs wide apart and his torso upright, while he was taking clean punches from Glazkov—straight shots thrown without any feint. It was difficult to believe what I was seeing, especially since Adamek had assured everyone he was in excellent form.

A fight in Poland against Artur Szpilka or Mariusz Wach? The decision is entirely Tomek’s, but he should remember that it would mark the beginning of his career being diminished. Adamek can still treat boxing as entertainment and earn some extra money, but frankly, I do not know what competing at this level would achieve. Money may be the only motivation. If Tomek does not lack it, however, there is little point in taking more fights. Since he clearly lost to Glazkov, he should forget about the most important honors in the heavyweight division. The Ukrainian is a long way not only from his countryman Klitschko, but also from the other fighters at the top of the world rankings.

Tomek should not box anymore, unless it is for really big money against Szpilka, Wach, Albert Sosnowski or Andrzej Wawrzyk. Is he still the best Polish heavyweight? Today, I am not certain that he would beat Szpilka. His experience could tip the balance in his favor, but it is difficult to predict how such a fight would end.

Compiled by: Przemysław Osiak, przegladsportowy.pl