Adamek waits for an opponent: “It could be anyone in the other corner”

Talks concerning a bout between Tomasz Adamek and Artur Szpilka began on Tuesday. However, only representatives of the latter contacted Polsat executives. Adamek knows the terms under which he would appear in Poland this autumn and is calmly waiting to see how things develop at his home near New York. In his view, the fight with Szpilka may not take place at all.

- Apparently, the first concrete details concerning your fight with Artur Szpilka have emerged.
Tomasz Adamek: I only know the date; the name of my opponent remains unknown. From what I hear, Szpilka probably will not fight me. At least that is what people are telling me.

- Would you like to face him in particular?
TA: I would rather meet a boxer from abroad. But I am not the one who proposes or chooses the opponents. Polsat is organizing the event.

- I read that Polsat is very keen on this fight.
TA: What can I say? I prefer to avoid fights with Poles, especially those I know. It is genuinely difficult to get into the ring against a friend. This case is a little different because I have only seen Artur a few times.

- How do you rate Szpilka as a boxer?
TA: You know my opinion. I do not like to talk much. Everyone fights as well as they can, and the ring verifies everything later anyway. I have a clear plan: preparation, the fight, victory and a return home to the United States. That is how I see it.

- You are avoiding the question. However, I read that you said you were better and would win even at a weight of 95 kilograms.
TA: Did I say that? Come on! I fight as well as I can. I do not praise myself; I never have. I know how this business works. I know professional sport and I know that anything can happen. I have 49 wins on my record, I have achieved a lot and I know what I am saying.

- Would a fight with Szpilka be a hit and generate record pay-per-view sales?
TA: Honestly? I believe that my fight with someone from the world's top 15 could be a great spectacle. Fans want to watch fights between athletes from the very top.

- Is Szpilka among the top heavyweights?
TA: (a moment of silence) No. He is a young man who still has a lot to learn.

- How much would you have to earn to accept the terms and get into the ring with Szpilka? There has been talk of one million zlotys. Artur would also be counting on that kind of money.
TA: I am not interested in what my potential opponent would be counting on. That is not my concern. I deal with my own affairs.

- So how much?
TA: You know perfectly well that I will not discuss that publicly. Certain arrangements have already been made and I am happy with them.

- Would it be one of the biggest purses of your career? Of course, I am not comparing it with the fee for the fight against Vitali Klitschko, because that was a completely different story.
TA: I have had several good fights in that respect. This one would certainly be a good one too. For now, however, there is nothing to talk about. All I know is that I am supposed to fight in Poland. The date and venue will probably change. Apparently, it will no longer be Łódź in October, but the new arena in Kraków on November 8. Either way, I already have a fairly clear plan. If I do indeed enter the ring, regardless of the opponent's name, I will fly to Poland early enough to prepare and acclimatize. I need about nine weeks for that. Afterward, all that remains is work. We should not talk about the opponent for now. I am going to work—that is, to the ring. Whether this opponent or another one stands in the other corner makes no difference. I have to be ready.

Interview by: Kamil Wolnicki, przegladsportowy.pl