Szpilka ahead of Adamek fight: I’m in the best shape of my life

On November 8, 18,000 fans in Krakow will watch Tomasz Adamek face Artur Szpilka. Tickets for the show are reportedly selling like hot cakes. Szpilka has already begun sparring and insists he is in the best shape of his life.

- Everyone who watches you in the gym says you are training like never before.
Artur Szpilka: It’s fucking great, but how could it be any different? I’m in the best shape of my life. A real bombshell!

- The old Artur Szpilka, who talks a lot, has also returned.
AS: (laughs) I really feel very good. I am—or rather, I will be—ready. I’m waiting for November 8 and the moment when we finally enter the ring. I feel that everything is getting closer, although let’s not exaggerate. I’m at the sparring stage now. I have two good sparring partners, and more will be arriving. The list was actually a long one, but several fighters declined for various reasons, including Vyacheslav Glazkov and Michael Sprott. It’s a shame, because I really wanted them, but there’s nothing I can do about it. Besides, I’ll manage anyway! At one point during camp, I was setting personal records in various aspects of training. Today I weigh 106–107 kg, but I won’t reveal how much I’ll weigh on fight night. You’ll see!

- You seem so excited, as if you wanted to fight today.
AS: If we had to box today, there would be no problem. Let’s fight. But my peak form is supposed to come on November 8.

- Are you interested in what is happening with Adamek?
AS: We were recording material for Polsat television and joked around a bit. Dawid Kostecki, who will also fight in Krakow, even went to film Tomek, but of course it was all a joke. Tomek saw it and played along as well. Other than that, nothing special happened. We greeted each other, and I joked that he had put on weight. He replied that he was training hard. Good. He’ll be ready—that’s what I’m counting on. I want to meet the best version of Tomasz Adamek in the ring.

- Do you watch his fights?
AS: Honestly? Every day. I put on successive Adamek fights and analyze them. I’m learning him by heart.

- Won’t you overheat before the fight?
AS: No, take it easy… Everything has a purpose. I watch his fights carefully because I think he is no longer going to learn anything new. I’m different. Everyone probably thinks I’ll move forward in the ring and be aggressive. But I want to show something else. I certainly won’t lack persistence, determination or heart. For now, I’m talking a lot again, but the plan is to show everything only in the ring.

- After the defeats suffered in Moscow by Krzysztof Włodarczyk and Paweł Kołodziej, your stablemates, many people blamed trainer Fiodor Łapin for mistakes. Both fans and promoter Tomasz Babiloński spoke about it.
AS: I don’t want to judge it. Everyone has their own opinion and can say whatever they want. I don’t listen to it. I’m not close to Tomek Babiloński and I don’t follow his statements. I only read what interests me. As for the fights, everyone is the architect of their own fate.

- In the coming weeks, the hopes and expectations of the Sferis KnockOut Promotions stable will focus on you.
AS: I think so too. I have always been an individualist, though, and I have operated according to the principle: I can, but I don’t have to. I believe in myself very strongly. I’m not thinking about what happened in recent days or about my colleagues’ defeats. I’m focused on myself.

- Until now, you usually had plans for the future even before your next fight. It’s different this time.
AS: Because I don’t know what comes next. The fight and victory over Adamek are what matter. I’ve heard that January is the next possible date for my appearance, but I don’t know any details.

- Even so, you have become calmer recently.
AS: What am I supposed to say? I’m the same Artur as before, although I really am speaking more calmly. It’s also a matter of respect for Tomek. Besides, I’ve already been high up and was brought back down to earth. On November 8, we’ll find out where I am now. The name of the show, “A Moment of Truth,” fits perfectly with what awaits us. It will be a moment of truth for Tomek and me. It will answer for me whether I can compete with the best. For Adamek, it will show whether the time has come to end his career.

Interview by: Kamil Wolnicki, przegladsportowy.pl