Adamek’s trainer believes in his continued career
Wednesday marked three years since the memorable bout between Tomasz Adamek and Vitali Klitschko for the WBC heavyweight title. Trainer Roger Bloodworth is convinced that “The Mountaineer” will not suffer another defeat like the one in Wrocław on November 8 in Kraków. That is when the 38-year-old boxer will face Artur Szpilka.
- Adamek is three years older than he was before the fight with Vitali Klitschko. He has had several more exhausting bouts since then, but the upcoming challenge seems considerably easier?
Roger Bloodworth: Without a doubt. Vitali Klitschko was an outstanding boxer and should soon be inducted into the Boxing Hall of Fame. The biggest mistake we made before that fight was arriving in Poland too late. Tomek did not have time to acclimatize, and he was sluggish in the ring. We learned from that and will not repeat the mistake this time.
- Does that guarantee victory over Szpilka?
RB: There are no guarantees, but it will certainly help a great deal. Of course, we cannot neglect our preparations. Tomasz has to train just as hard as always. I think the very fact that he is fighting in Poland will have a positive effect on him. He missed his homeland, and being here will give him additional motivation.
- Adamek said this should be an easy fight for him. Are you sure he is not underestimating Szpilka, especially after his defeat by Bryant Jennings?
RB: A lack of respect for an opponent is always dangerous, regardless of one’s own abilities. Everyone must be taken seriously. If you do not do that, you are not properly prepared for the fight. No one can be written off, especially in the heavyweight division, where one punch can decide everything.
- Will it be easier than in March, when Adamek lost to Vyacheslav Glazkov?
RB: There is no point comparing the two bouts. Glazkov is a good fighter. He hit Tomek in perhaps the first or second round, and swelling appeared around his right eye after that punch. The eye closed up, and Adamek could barely see through it for a long time. He began winning clearly in the final rounds, but he ran out of time—the time he had lost earlier.
- What should we expect from Szpilka?
RB: He is aggressive and knows how to land effectively with his right hand. He will probably come forward and do everything he can to win.
- Would you have preferred the fight to be scheduled for twelve rather than ten rounds?
RB: I do not know where that decision came from, but I do not see a problem with it. Many people say this solution favors Szpilka. It could just as easily help Adamek, though. Tomek will simply start working earlier instead of waiting until the final stages of the fight.
- How long will Adamek still be able to continue his career?
RB: He will fight for as long as it takes him to decide that he should no longer risk his health. It is a very individual matter. You only have to think of George Foreman or look at Bernard Hopkins. He will turn 50 in a few months, yet he boxes as if he were thirty! If I notice that Tomasz is handling the rigors of fights worse than he used to, I will tell him immediately. So far, I have seen nothing like that. Even against Glazkov, he was able to recover and came close to turning the fight around. I believe he still has several fights ahead of him. He can still beat any of the top heavyweight boxers. After all, he has lost only three times in his entire career, the same number as Wladimir Klitschko. That is rare in this weight class.
Interviewed by: Przemysław Osiak, przegladsportowy.pl
