Vitali Klitschko punishes Tomasz Adamek to retain WBC belt

Vitali Klitschko punishes Tomasz Adamek to retain WBC belt

By John J. Raspanti, Doghouse Boxing (Sept 11, 2011) Doghouse Boxing
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By John J. Raspanti, Doghouse Boxing: As expected Vitali Klitschko (43-2, 40 KOs) retained his WBC heavyweight championship for the seventh time by stopping courageous Tomasz Adamek (44-2, 28 KOs) in round 10 before a crowd of 42,000 at the Stadion Miejski in Wroclaw, Poland.

The 40 year-old Klitschko’s size advantage was immediately apparent with Adamek resembling a middleweight instead of heavyweight. Six inches taller and able to reach Adamek anytime he wanted to, Klitchsko employed a popping jab and thudding right hand.

As the first round started Adamek seemed jittery and tense. How could he reach Klitschko, a fighter who’s boxing skills are vastly underrated?

Klitschko style is awkward and crablike as he moves forward, keeping his hands low. His jab found Adamek’s face easily as did a number of jolting rights. The Polish Warrior, with his hometown fans roaring at everything he did, tried to reach Klitschko with some hooks but came up short.

The champion continued shooting his jab and right hand in round two. Adamek tried to jab back, but Klitschko ignored his attempts like a father would a pesky son. Near the end of the round, Klitschko landed a big right on the challenger's chin, buckling his knees. Held up by the ropes but badly hurt, Adamek managed to survive the round.

Adamek nodded as he returned to his corner. In the other corner, Klitschko peered at Adamek intently, undoubtedly admiring his opponent's strong chin.

Klitschko came out for round three looking to end the fight. With both hands a dangling at his sides, and swiveling his hips to get the maximum power on his punches, the champion landed a number of right’s on Adamek's jaw. Adamek continued to try and landed a left hook that had no effect on Klitschko.

In round four, the challenger changed tactics becoming more aggressive. His choices as the smaller man were limited. With his fans still chanting, he rushed in throwing punches. Klitschko was unmoved by the display countering the charges with short left uppercuts.

In rounds, five, six and seven, Adamek tried to land his left hook but Klitschko’s ability to step back made connecting even more difficult. Klitschko continued to punish Adamek with lefts and rights and in the process his jab was making mincemeat of Adamek’s face.

The one-sided punishment continued in rounds eight and nine. In round ten, Adamek absorbed three more thudding right hands that caused him to stagger around the ring. The raucous crowd had grown mostly silent as they witnessed the beginning of the end. The referee wisely called the bout at 2:20 of the tenth round. Adamek's effort had been a showcase in guts, but Klitschko had won every round.

"He's a very good boxer," Klitschko told the AP after the fight. "He was a cruiserweight champion he was a light heavyweight champion, but he's not good enough to be a heavyweight champion because it's a whole other league."

Adamek had nothing but praise for Klitschko after the fight. “He was simply the better fighter, and he won,” Adamek said. “That’s sport. You win some, and you lose some. This time I lost.”

-- Questions/comments j ohnboxing1@hotmail.com

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