Connect with us

Articles of 2009

Not Much Ado In Des Moines, But Golota-Adamek Is Big In Lodz

Published

on

This is pretty big stuff if you’re from Lodz, Poland, but it probably won’t sell in Des Moines.

Andrew Golota (41-7-1, 33 KOs), the Polish poster boy for low blows, bizarre injuries and assorted antics committed inside the prize ring, will face IBF cruiserweight champ and fellow Pole Tomasz Adamek (38-1, 26 KOs) on Oct. 24 in the new Lodz Arena in Lodz, Poland.

Huge in Poland. Not so big in Toledo.

If you want to pick sides in this fight, you might want to consider Golota. The big guy could use a little positive karma. Controversy follows him around like a little puppy.

In his latest fight this past November against Ray Austin, he was dropped in the first round and suffered multiple tendon tears near his left bicep. Golota never answered the bell for the second round, which probably didn‘t sit too well with the beer-drinking gang back home in Warsaw. You don’t quit if you’re still sitting upright on your stool. You quit when they wheel in the gurney and administer last rites.

But that’s just Golota. His fights with Riddick Bowe back in 1996 are legendary for the amount of grimacing they produced among the many adult males who witnessed the carnage both in person and on TV. He set new standards in the art of delivering low blows, made “south of the border” a game plan.

Watching the fight at home with some of my buddies, we decided that from that fight on, a low blow would be called a “Golota.“ It’s the kind of punch that can turn a full grown man like Bowe into a 250-pound whimpering soprano in trunks.

In his first fight with Bowe in Madison Square Garden, Golota was pretty much having it his own way when the referee started warning him about throwing low blows. By the seventh round, with Bowe again dropping to the canvas clutching his groin with tears in his eyes, Golota was disqualified.

Walking back to his corner, Golota was jumped by one of Bowe’s henchmen, who smashed a cellphone over his head. Golota reacted by throwing one of the few legal punches he threw all night. Too bad he didn‘t throw it at Bowe.

Suddenly, it was the Roadhouse Inn on Saturday night, fights breaking out both in the ring and in the stands. During the madness, Golota’s promoter, Lou Duva, collapsed onto the ring floor after suffering a heart attack.

Another fun night at the Garden.

In their rematch five months later, Bowe was down in the second and fifth rounds and Golota was head butted in the second (opening a cut) and was down in the fourth.

Again ahead on points going into the later rounds, Golota was finally disqualified with two seconds left in the ninth after three low blows put Bowe down in agony again.

Apparently, Golota didn’t learn anything from his first fight with Bowe.

Then there was that sad night in October 2000 when Golota fought Mike Tyson, quitting on his stool after only two rounds, though it didn’t look like Tyson had even touched him.

Pelted with drinking cups and hot dogs on the way back to his locker room after quitting, it was later discovered that Golota had a broken bone in his head which could have pierced his brain at any time during the fight. He also accused Tyson of head-butting him.

Tyson later tested positive for marijuana and the result of the fight was changed from a technical knockout to a no contest.

Crazy game.

In all, Golota fought for a version of the heavyweight championship four times and could have probably won the title if he hadn’t mastered that south-of-the-border punch.

Now, at the age of 41, he’s getting ready to face a younger and quicker Adamek in what they’re calling “The Polish Fight of the Century,“ which, unfortunately, is like “The Wisconsin Fight of the Century.” It’s going to have limited appeal.

“One shouldn’t really box at my age,“ said Golota, who still boxes at his age. “I’d rather be 12 or 13 years younger.”

We’d all rather be 12 or 13 years younger.

“Still,” he said. “Bernard Hopkins is 44, so I still have everything ahead of me.“

Everything but another shot at the heavyweight title.

Asked if there were any hard feelings between the two fighters, Golota, who now lives in Chicago, joked, “ I love the guy.“

His humor was lost on Adamek, who responded, “I don’t love him since he’s male and I’m Roman Catholic.”

Huh? Lighten up, Adamek. You asked for this fight.

While Adamek might not want to admit it, Golota is still a big name in Poland. And that might be what Adamek is really after, stealing some of the fame and popularity from one of the best Polish heavyweights of all time.

Promoter Don King said this fight is about more than title belts or money.

“They’re fighting for country,“ King said.

For Golota, that’s all that’s left.

Share The Sweet Science experience!
Continue Reading
Advertisement
Ekow-Essuman-Upsets-Josh-Taylor-and-Moses-Itauma-Blasts-Out-Mike-Balogun-in-Glasgow
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Ekow Essuman Upsets Josh Taylor and Moses Itauma Blasts Out Mike Balogun in Glasgow

Newspaperman-Playwright-Author-Bobby-Cassidy-Jr-Commemorates-his-Fighting-Father
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Newspaperman/Playwright/Author Bobby Cassidy Jr Commemorates His Fighting Father

A-Night-of-Mismatches-Turns-Topsy-Turvy-at-Mandalay-Bay-Resendiz-Shocks-Plant
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

A Night of Mismatches Turns Topsy-Turvy at Mandalay Bay; Resendiz Shocks Plant

Avila-Perspective-Chap-330-Matchroom-in-New-York-plus-the-latest-on-Canelo-Crawford
Featured Articles1 week ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 330: Matchroom in New York plus the Latest on Canelo-Crawford

in-A-Trubute-Wedded-to-Memorial-Day-Boxing-Writer-David-Avila-Pays-Homage-to-Absent-Friends
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

In a Tribute Wedded to Memorial Day, Boxing Writer David Avila Pays Homage to Absent Friends

Vinny-Paz-is-Going-into-the-Boxing-Hall-of-Fame-Hey-why-Not-Roger-Mayweather?
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Vinny Paz is Going into the Boxing Hall of Fame; Hey, Why Not Roger Mayweather?

Remembering-the-Under-Appreciated-Body-Snatcher-Mike-McCallum,-a-Conusmmate-Pro
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Remembering the Under-Appreciated “Body Snatcher” Mike McCallum, a Consummate Pro    

Avila-Perspective-Chap-228-Viva-Las-Vegas-Back-in-the-Boxing-Spotlight
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 228: Viva Las Vegas, Back in the Boxing Spotlight

Pacquiao-is-Back,-Fabio-in-England-and-More.jpg
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap 329: Pacquiao is Back, Fabio in England and More

Opetaia-and-Nakatani-Crush-Overmatched-Foes-Capping-Off-a-Wild-Boxing-Weekend
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Opetaia and Nakatani Crush Overmatched Foes, Capping Off a Wild Boxing Weekend

Results-and-Recaps-from-Las-Vegas-Where-Melikuziev-Nipped-Fulghum-in-a-Fierce-Fight
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Results and Recaps from Las Vegas Where Melikuziev Nipped Fulghum in a Fierce Battle

Fabio-Wardley-Comes-from-Behind-to-KO-Justis-Huni
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Fabio Wardley Comes from Behind to KO Justis Huni  

Angelo-Leo-Retains-His-Featherweight-Title-Before-a-Hostile-Crowd-in-Osaka
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Angelo Leo Retains His Featherweight Title Before a Hostile Crowd in Osaka

Delving-Into-'Hoopa'-With-Notes-on-Books-by-George-Plimpton-and-Joyce-Carol-Oates
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Delving into ‘Hoopla’ with Notes on Books by George Plimpton and Joyce Carol Oates

Catching-Up-with-Clay-Moyle-Who-Talks-About-His-Massive-Collection-of-Boxing-Books
Featured Articles6 days ago

Catching Up with Clay Moyle Who Talks About His Massive Collection of Boxing Books

Local-Fan-Favorites-Terri-Harpet-and-Maxi-Hughes-Victorious-in-Doncaster
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Local Fan Favorites Terri Harper and Maxi Hughes Victorious in Doncaster

The-Shafting-of-Blair-the-Flair-Cobbs-a-Familar-Thread-in-the-Cruelest-Sport
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

The Shafting of Blair “The Flair” Cobbs, a Familiar Thread in the Cruelest Sport

Richardson-Hitchins-Batters-and-Stops-George-Kambosos-at-Madison-Square-Garden
Featured Articles1 week ago

Richardson Hitchins Batters and Stops George Kambosos at Madison Square Garden 

A-Fight-Fan-and-Teremoana-Samson-Junior-Leon-Teremoana
Featured Articles4 days ago

A Fight Fan and Teremoana Samson Junior Leon Teremoana

Vito-Mielnicki-Whitewashes-Kamil-Gardzielik-Before-the-Home-Folks-in-Newark
Featured Articles11 hours ago

Vito Mielnicki Jr Whitewashes Kamil Gardzielik Before the Home Folks in Newark

Callum-Walsh-Umar-Dzambekov-and-Cain-Sandoval-Remain-Unbeaten-at-Santa-Ynez
Featured Articles8 hours ago

Callum Walsh, Umar Dzambekov and Cain Sandoval Remain Unbeaten at Santa Ynez

Vito-Mielnicki-Whitewashes-Kamil-Gardzielik-Before-the-Home-Folks-in-Newark
Featured Articles11 hours ago

Vito Mielnicki Jr Whitewashes Kamil Gardzielik Before the Home Folks in Newark

Avila-Perspective-Chap-331-Callum-Walsh-Brian-Norman-Galal-Yafai-and-More
Featured Articles2 days ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 331: Callum Walsh, Brian Norman, Galal Yafai and More

Brian-Norman-Jr-Bombs-Out-Jin-Sasaki-with-a-Frightful-Left-Hook
Featured Articles3 days ago

Brian Norman Jr Bombs Out Jin Sasaki with a Frightful Left Hook

A-Fight-Fan-and-Teremoana-Samson-Junior-Leon-Teremoana
Featured Articles4 days ago

A Fight Fan and Teremoana Samson Junior Leon Teremoana

Catching-Up-with-Clay-Moyle-Who-Talks-About-His-Massive-Collection-of-Boxing-Books
Featured Articles6 days ago

Catching Up with Clay Moyle Who Talks About His Massive Collection of Boxing Books

Richardson-Hitchins-Batters-and-Stops-George-Kambosos-at-Madison-Square-Garden
Featured Articles1 week ago

Richardson Hitchins Batters and Stops George Kambosos at Madison Square Garden 

Avila-Perspective-Chap-330-Matchroom-in-New-York-plus-the-latest-on-Canelo-Crawford
Featured Articles1 week ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 330: Matchroom in New York plus the Latest on Canelo-Crawford

The-Shafting-of-Blair-the-Flair-Cobbs-a-Familar-Thread-in-the-Cruelest-Sport
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

The Shafting of Blair “The Flair” Cobbs, a Familiar Thread in the Cruelest Sport

Opetaia-and-Nakatani-Crush-Overmatched-Foes-Capping-Off-a-Wild-Boxing-Weekend
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Opetaia and Nakatani Crush Overmatched Foes, Capping Off a Wild Boxing Weekend

Fabio-Wardley-Comes-from-Behind-to-KO-Justis-Huni
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Fabio Wardley Comes from Behind to KO Justis Huni  

Pacquiao-is-Back,-Fabio-in-England-and-More.jpg
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap 329: Pacquiao is Back, Fabio in England and More

Delving-Into-'Hoopa'-With-Notes-on-Books-by-George-Plimpton-and-Joyce-Carol-Oates
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Delving into ‘Hoopla’ with Notes on Books by George Plimpton and Joyce Carol Oates

Remembering-the-Under-Appreciated-Body-Snatcher-Mike-McCallum,-a-Conusmmate-Pro
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Remembering the Under-Appreciated “Body Snatcher” Mike McCallum, a Consummate Pro    

A-Night-of-Mismatches-Turns-Topsy-Turvy-at-Mandalay-Bay-Resendiz-Shocks-Plant
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

A Night of Mismatches Turns Topsy-Turvy at Mandalay Bay; Resendiz Shocks Plant

Results-and-Recaps-from-Las-Vegas-Where-Melikuziev-Nipped-Fulghum-in-a-Fierce-Fight
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Results and Recaps from Las Vegas Where Melikuziev Nipped Fulghum in a Fierce Battle

Avila-Perspective-Chap-228-Viva-Las-Vegas-Back-in-the-Boxing-Spotlight
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 228: Viva Las Vegas, Back in the Boxing Spotlight

Vinny-Paz-is-Going-into-the-Boxing-Hall-of-Fame-Hey-why-Not-Roger-Mayweather?
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Vinny Paz is Going into the Boxing Hall of Fame; Hey, Why Not Roger Mayweather?

Newspaperman-Playwright-Author-Bobby-Cassidy-Jr-Commemorates-his-Fighting-Father
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Newspaperman/Playwright/Author Bobby Cassidy Jr Commemorates His Fighting Father

Ekow-Essuman-Upsets-Josh-Taylor-and-Moses-Itauma-Blasts-Out-Mike-Balogun-in-Glasgow
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Ekow Essuman Upsets Josh Taylor and Moses Itauma Blasts Out Mike Balogun in Glasgow

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending