Former Adamek trainer believes in Polish boxers’ triumphs

Andrzej Gmitruk, former trainer of Tomasz Adamek and coach of Maciej Sulęcki, assesses both fighters’ chances ahead of Saturday’s Polsat Boxing Night gala.

- What might the fight between Tomasz Adamek and Artur Szpilka look like?
Andrzej Gmitruk: I have a feeling that we are in for a tough and exciting bout. However, Tomek remains my favorite. His sporting class needs no recommendation. He did not fly to Poland to suffer a defeat. His experience will be very important. He has fought countless bouts against demanding opponents and has found himself in difficult situations in the ring many times. Artur has not yet had the opportunity to experience them. Adamek came very close to turning around the outcome of his last, lost fight against Vyacheslav Glazkov. In the closing stages, he was actually close to winning by stoppage.

- Will the result be decided in the final rounds, or could the fight end earlier?
AG: Everything will depend on how Szpilka copes with the emotional pressure. As far as Tomek is concerned, we can be sure that he will keep a cool head. I think that by the eighth or ninth round, Adamek will already be close to victory. I do not deny Artur any of his strengths. I have not seen such a determined and courageous fighter in Polish boxing for a long time. Regardless of the result of this fight, he should be invested in.

- You train Maciej Sulęcki. Can your charge pull off a surprise and defeat Grzegorz Proksa?
AG: If I did not believe he could win, I would not have started working with him. Maciek is brave and consistent. If he avoids being surprised by Grzegorz in the early stages of the fight, everything should go according to plan for us. The class of his opponent will not shock him. His last opponents were certainly no pushovers.

Przemysław Osiak, przegladsportowy.pl