After Beating Adamek, the Ukrainian Wants to Fight for the World Title
Vyacheslav Glazkov is ready to fight for the world heavyweight title after his convincing victory over Tomasz Adamek.
“Was this the best fight of my professional career? You can usually see more from the outside. If people rate it that way, they are probably right,” Glazkov told us after Saturday’s victory over Adamek. In Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, the 29-year-old Ukrainian won a unanimous decision. In doing so, he ended our fighter’s hopes of a second world heavyweight title fight, while taking a giant step toward that goal himself. After last year’s draw with Malik Scott and a scarcely more impressive performance against Garrett Wilson, which ended in a points victory, it nevertheless seemed that Adamek would be the favorite.
“Preparing for this fight, which was so important for my future career, took a considerable mental toll. However, I did not experience any difficult moments in the ring. In the eighth round, I even had a chance to win inside the distance. I hit Adamek with a right and felt that he was hurt. However, he showed the ring craft that comes with extensive experience. He clinched, kept his head down, and I was unable to land another shot with the same force. Besides, he proved exceptionally tough. I thank him for this fight. I became much wiser and more experienced afterward. For the first time, I went the full twelve rounds. Twelve rounds and ten, though—that is quite a difference,” Glazkov said.
“How do last year’s sparring sessions with Tomasz compare with Saturday’s fight? I still believe it is impossible to say that they benefited one of us and not the other. We both learned about each other’s strengths and weaknesses, but I really could not predict how the fight would unfold based on the sparring. Besides, we spent four, five, or at most six rounds in the ring. A different distance, different gloves, and a different approach to boxing. So I have to repeat: sparring and a fight are two completely different things,” emphasized “The Car.”
Before the bout, the fighter from Luhansk spoke cautiously about his future.
“My only goal is Adamek. It is still too early to talk about a world title fight. First I have to test myself against someone like Tomasz,” the Ukrainian explained. After the victory, however, his attitude changed. “I am ready to fight for the world championship. There is no point in waiting any longer,” the boxer told us. A moment later, though, he admitted that no specific plan of action had yet been established.
“Will I fight for the status of mandatory IBF challenger? After beating Adamek, I moved up to second place in the rankings. Let’s wait for the federation’s decision. However, it looks as though Kubrat Pulev, the IBF’s top-ranked contender, will not want to risk losing his position and will try to arrange a fight with champion Wladimir Klitschko as soon as possible. The WBC rankings? I cannot rule anything out. I remain available to Main Events. In the rematch, I favor Bermane Stiverne. Since he has already beaten Chris Arreola once, he will probably do it again,” Glazkov assessed.
He is expected to contest his nineteenth professional bout in the summer. His record currently stands at 17 wins, including 11 inside the distance, and one draw. His opponent, however, should be less well known than Adamek. After Saturday’s victory, the Ukrainian went on a well-deserved vacation. Together with his wife, who flew to the United States the day after his fight with the Pole, he began the trip in New York. The Glazkovs later plan to tour Florida.
Interview by: Przemysław Osiak, przegladsportowy.pl
