Adamek–Szpilka in Łódź increasingly realistic, but the fight is still a long way off
Łódź’s Atlas Arena, October 18, with Tomasz Adamek and Artur Szpilka meeting in the main event. To many fans, it sounds like a genuine blockbuster. For Marian Kmita, Polsat’s head of sport, however, it is a realistic plan. He discussed it on the Puncher programme.
“It would be a very interesting clash between a decorated champion and a young fighter who is only just entering the market,” Kmita said. He added that no agreement had yet been reached with the boxers’ promoters. In reality, there is still a very long way to go before one can be concluded.
For now, Artur is by far the only one firmly behind the idea. That, of course, comes as no surprise. After losing to Bryant Jennings, Szpilka has put on weight and now weighs around 110 kilograms. He claims that a bout with Adamek would be a great opportunity for him. In his view, the result of the fight could determine whether both boxers’ careers continue or effectively come to an end.
“I think I definitely have a chance to win. I have enormous respect for what Tomek has achieved, but he is now closer to the end of his career,” Szpilka insists.
That is where the complications begin. Adamek has already announced that he will return at a Polsat show in October. He would prefer an opponent from abroad, however. A rematch with Chris Arreola could be among the possibilities. And what about a fight with a fellow Pole?
“I can’t say anything about it because I haven’t received any specific offer. I spoke with Mr. Kmita when I was in Poland, but only about fighting in Poland. I want to avoid bouts with fellow countrymen. To this day, after the Gołota fight, some people still write that I beat up an old man. If I beat another Pole, I’ll once again hear that I don’t want to fight the English or Americans and only fight Poles,” Adamek says.
He then adds words that could prove decisive if a concrete offer emerges: “If there is a serious proposal, I will certainly consider it. I would still prefer a ring war with a foreign opponent.”
One of Artur’s promoters, Andrzej Wasilewski, is also not enthusiastic about the idea of an Adamek–Szpilka fight.
“To be honest, I don’t really want to comment on this. We are thinking about a show in Kraków in November, with Szpilka one of the leading candidates for the main event. A potential clash with Adamek would take place on October 18 in Łódź, so the dates almost overlap. Besides, I learned about the offer for a fight with Szpilka from the media. The idea is obviously a good one, but I have doubts about whether Artur should fight after suffering a stoppage defeat. I believe he should have one more bout first,” Wasilewski says.
Kamil Wolnicki, przegladsportowy.pl
