Tomasz Adamek signed to fight either Klitschko

[crusader]

Ripped from Tunney's post in the CS. No Brits involved, but I thought it was relevant given all the Haye-Klit posturing and drama.

It's now official - Tomasz Adamek signed a contract today to fight either Wladimir or Vitali in September.

from Dan Rafael at ESPN:

http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/boxing ... id=6055403

Quote:
From the time Tomasz Adamek vacated the cruiserweight championship to move up to heavyweight in late 2009 the goal has always been the same for him and his promoters, Main Events and Ziggy Rozalski. They wanted to allow Adamek time to adjust to the new weight class, get a shot at the heavyweight title and make a good deal for that fight.

Mission accomplished.

Adamek, who lives in Jersey City, N.J., but is from Poland -- where he is one of the nation's most famous athletes -- will get a heavyweight title opportunity in his home country against either champion Wladimir Klitschko or his title-holding older brother Vitali Klitschko in September after they signed an agreement on Monday, both camps told ESPN.com.

"I am ecstatic. I can't even put it into words," Main Events CEO Kathy Duva said. "To work so hard with Tomasz with a goal in mind -- moving him up to heavyweight, getting a heavyweight title fight. We got him there and we got a good deal."

Said Bernd Boente, who manages the Klitschko brothers, "We made some changes, their side and our side. We now agree on everything. We have a go from both sides for a fight in September."

[ALI]

Worth also quoting this part of the article:

Simultaneous to the Klitschko-Haye deal imploding, Duva approached the Klitschko camp with the proposal for one of the brothers to fight Adamek in Poland and they quickly got the deal done.

"It took us less than three weeks to get this done," Duva said. "Everybody had the same objective -- to make the biggest, best event we can and everybody make the most money we can. We're very excited. This has been the plan for the 2½ years we've worked with Tomasz. This has been the goal and game plan. I'm happy it all came together and we are happy with the deal."

Although Haye and the Klitschkos have gone back and forth about various deals for the past couple of years, Duva said she had no problems reaching an agreement.

"I didn't have any of the problems other people talk about," she said. "I've had a long relationship with [Klitschko adviser] Shelly Finkel for something like 30 years and that probably helped. But when the time came to talk to Bernd, we were in synch right away. I know how to get a deal done. I didn't have any problem with them at all. And I had a fighter who said, 'This is what I want, please go out and get it.'"

Its difficult to know exactly which side is to blame for the Haye/Klitschko deal imploding, i've always been more in favour of Haye wanting to get it done. But i'm starting to think Fwank Wawwen may have a point when he says Adam Booth is the most difficult man to deal with in boxing. Could Booth be Haye's achilles heel in this deal?

As for Adamek - Klitschko, i'm hoping to get tickets for the event. It will be a tough nights work for Adamek, but he's in with a shot, much more so than other recent Klitschko oponents. I hope its Wlad he gets!

[doctorboxing]

It will be a tough nights work for Adamek, but he's in with a shot, much more so than other recent Klitschko oponents. I hope its Wlad he gets!

I don't think he has a hope. He is a ex light-heavy who looked poor against a very faded Michael Grant and doesn't punch hard enough to stand a chance of dumping Wlad on his backside. I would have picked Adameck against someone like Valuev, where he could simply box like Haye and pick up the points win but not against either Klit.

It'd be great to see someone end the dominance but I'm being serious when I say that Chisora has more of a chance than Adamek.

[DavidPayne]

And Duva reached out to Haye and didn't even get a response.

Adamek would have been a valuable win, credible, fit and a former Cruiserweight standout.

When ever I hear about the Haye v Klitschko mess, I just say "aw shucks".

Though I still believe Haye will fight one of them somehow this year and then "comeback" in 2012 to fight the other one.

[bfchunk]

By this relating to "a" Klitchsko then it does leave door open for Haye to fight the other after Chisora/Solis.

I don't give Adamek any chance against either Klitchsko.

[boxingchat]

So the experienced Duva's can cut a deal with K2, the experienced Warren can cut a deal with K2 also. So maybe it is not K2 but Adam Booth who is the one screwing up Heavyweight Boxings biggest fight. I cant see Duva or Warren getting screwed out of their fighters worth by K2 with all their experience so make your own minds up.

[DavidPayne]

So the experienced Duva's can cut a deal with K2, the experienced Warren can cut a deal with K2 also. So maybe it is not K2 but Adam Booth who is the one screwing up Heavyweight Boxings biggest fight. I cant see Duva or Warren getting screwed out of their fighters worth by K2 with all their experience so make your own minds up.

Different context to the negotiation, given Haye's supposed status, but the point stands.

[stujones]

Well done for Wladimir to keeping focused on his career and not letting Haye distract him. Adamek best opponent given the circumstances, respect.

[ArtOfWar]

So not only will Haye not get a fight with the Klitschko's, he won't even get the next best thing in Adamek. Not looking good is it.

[mickey1975]

So the experienced Duva's can cut a deal with K2, the experienced Warren can cut a deal with K2 also. So maybe it is not K2 but Adam Booth who is the one screwing up Heavyweight Boxings biggest fight. I cant see Duva or Warren getting screwed out of their fighters worth by K2 with all their experience so make your own minds up.

I thought that too.

[Finn]

Boxing as a sport needs the heavyweight division to draw in the crowds with spectacles.

The casual fans need to be sold somethiing.

Is one of the klits v adamek a good fight - not really, yeah adamek is a very credible challanger. But he has no hope, he doesnt have the power or size to trouble either brother.

Could he outpoint Vitali? possibly but very, very, unlikely
can he ko wlad or make it 12 rounds with him? i very much doubt it.

And quite frankly do we need one of the only credible challangers to get beaten in this manner?

Theres the boxing fan in me that wants the competative fights to be made. But then theres the lover of the sport in me, that wants the see the good fighters built up and the have massive fights happen to boost the sport back into the main stream.

I know its a contradiction but thats what i think.

[Finn]

So the experienced Duva's can cut a deal with K2, the experienced Warren can cut a deal with K2 also. So maybe it is not K2 but Adam Booth who is the one screwing up Heavyweight Boxings biggest fight. I cant see Duva or Warren getting screwed out of their fighters worth by K2 with all their experience so make your own minds up.

I thought that too.

you have to put it into context - adamek doesnt bring to the table the asame value as haye. His camp is going to take less to make the fight happen. And they already pulled out of negotiations with K2 before because they werent happy with the deal.

and to be fair what is chisora actually worth right now?

[mickey1975]

So the experienced Duva's can cut a deal with K2, the experienced Warren can cut a deal with K2 also. So maybe it is not K2 but Adam Booth who is the one screwing up Heavyweight Boxings biggest fight. I cant see Duva or Warren getting screwed out of their fighters worth by K2 with all their experience so make your own minds up.

I thought that too.

you have to put it into context - adamek doesnt bring to the table the asame value as haye. His camp is going to take less to make the fight happen. And they already pulled out of negotiations with K2 before because they werent happy with the deal.

and to be fair what is chisora actually worth right now?

Germany and Poland have a massive rivalry and a Klitschko-Adamek fight will be huge over there.I am not sure what they think of Haye there but they cant have been too impressed with the Valuev win or his constant refusal to fight anyone!

[Tomasino]

These Haye fanboys are a right mess!

What does Haye have to do to show you that he doesn't want to fight the Champs? How about retire early? What about run from a guy Evander Holyfield beat up? Engage in a 12 round sparring session with a rank journeyman? Fight another total no hoper like Audley? Make noises about a fight that will NEVER happen in Chagaev?

Come on guys get real. Haye and Booth both sing from the same sheet of bullshit. Adam was like a spoiled child on Ringside with Eddie Hearn. Haye talks more shite than Floyd Mayweather. The fact is that Haye should have already fought Wladimir and Vitali, they are the champs in 99% of boxing fans eyes. He has made a right arse of itand is now totally locked out as he deserves.

[Tomasino]

This is a comment from Adamek taken from ringtv.com.

"I am very happy,” he said. “I would like to thank the Klitschkos for being very generous with the percentage offer. I am looking forward to this fight. It doesn't make a difference to me which Klitschko I fight. Right now they are both the biggest stars in the boxing world and I want to fight the biggest stars. I'm grateful for the opportunity."


Can you imagine Haye or his burd booth being so sportsman like and respectful. Never. I was happy when Haye moved up as I thought his previous reluctance to take challenges was based on trouble making weight but it seems to have carried over to the new division. Sad, really sad.

[Newport Daz]

So the experienced Duva's can cut a deal with K2, the experienced Warren can cut a deal with K2 also. So maybe it is not K2 but Adam Booth who is the one screwing up Heavyweight Boxings biggest fight. I cant see Duva or Warren getting screwed out of their fighters worth by K2 with all their experience so make your own minds up.

Let's be honest, Haye is in a different ball park entirely to Chisora and Adamek. Chisora is a 14 fight novice with no real worth in world terms. He's receiving a career high payday against Wlad and a shot at his titles. Warren has absolutly no pull in this fight, hence the ridiculous rematch clauses. If Warren didn't accept the terms, they move on and offer the shot to another fighter. As for Warren's experience, is this the same Frank that didn't read the terms of the contract properly with regard to the postponement and had to retract his statement after reading more closely?

Adamek is a different matter. He is a poven fighter at lower weights, but has struggled with average opposition since moving up. Again he is in a different ball park to Haye financially. The fight with Hopkins at cuiser didn't come off as BHop accused Adamek of pricing himself out by asking for $500k. If you believe what was written in the press, Haye was paid more than $1million for his fight with Macca and has been paid waaay more than that for fights with Valuev, Ruiz and Harrison. Adamek holds no title and doesn't bring a great deal of money to the table so his demands will obviously be much lower.

Haye brings a tonne of cash to the table and has the WBA title, something which the KIlits have said many times they want. Haye is obvioulsy going to want a far better deal than either Adamek or Chisora. It is easy to blame Haye for the fight not happening, but he is trying to get what he can out of fight he probably won't win. This will affect his earning potential greatly and is obviously going for what he thinks he's worth.

[DavidPayne]

So the experienced Duva's can cut a deal with K2, the experienced Warren can cut a deal with K2 also. So maybe it is not K2 but Adam Booth who is the one screwing up Heavyweight Boxings biggest fight. I cant see Duva or Warren getting screwed out of their fighters worth by K2 with all their experience so make your own minds up.

Let's be honest, Haye is in a different ball park entirely to Chisora and Adamek. Chisora is a 14 fight novice with no real worth in world terms. He's receiving a career high payday against Wlad and a shot at his titles. Warren has absolutly no pull in this fight, hence the ridiculous rematch clauses. If Warren didn't accept the terms, they move on and offer the shot to another fighter. As for Warren's experience, is this the same Frank that didn't read the terms of the contract properly with regard to the postponement and had to retract his statement after reading more closely?

Adamek is a different matter. He is a poven fighter at lower weights, but has struggled with average opposition since moving up. Again he is in a different ball park to Haye financially. The fight with Hopkins at cuiser didn't come off as BHop accused Adamek of pricing himself out by asking for $500k. If you believe what was written in the press, Haye was paid more than $1million for his fight with Macca and has been paid waaay more than that for fights with Valuev, Ruiz and Harrison. Adamek holds no title and doesn't bring a great deal of money to the table so his demands will obviously be much lower.

Haye brings a tonne of cash to the table and has the WBA title, something which the KIlits have said many times they want. Haye is obvioulsy going to want a far better deal than either Adamek or Chisora. It is easy to blame Haye for the fight not happening, but he is trying to get what he can out of fight he probably won't win. This will affect his earning potential greatly and is obviously going for what he thinks he's worth.

I see you rpoint, but Adamek brings HBO, a football ground in Poland and credibility....oh and an easy win.

[Newport Daz]

I thought HBO said they weren't interested in showing the Klits? Especially when it would be 2 Europeans fighting in Poland.

I agree it's an easy win for Wlad or Vitali. Say Adamek makes $2-3 million for the fight, it's still way, way short of what Haye would be expecting. It appears he's going for 50:50 and no options. I suspect eventually he will get it.

[mickey1975]

I thought HBO said they weren't interested in showing the Klits? Especially when it would be 2 Europeans fighting in Poland.

I agree it's an easy win for Wlad or Vitali. Say Adamek makes $2-3 million for the fight, it's still way, way short of what Haye would be expecting. It appears he's going for 50:50 and no options. I suspect eventually he will get it.

Adamek draws big live gates in America.There is a huge Pole ex-pat community over there.

[Glyn Leach]

The plan is definitely to stage the fight outdoors in Poland, at one of the football stadiums being built to host the Euro 2012 championships that will be co-hosted by Poland and the Ukraine, which explains why there is a political 'will' for this fight to take place in Poland — national heroes of both countries clashing. It will draw a massive crowd, bring publicity to the following year's football event. And as we know, the Klitschkos are quite capable of staging a fight without HBO's involvement.

[LeedsLad]

I'm quite looking forward to this actually.

Hopefully it's Vitali that Adamek ends up fighting, it suits him more stylewise..... Vitali is on the slide whereas Wlad is at his best right now.

I can't wait until October, then that bad smell also known as David Haye will hopefully retire. Without the huge payday.

I'm sure all those people that peddled his constant BS over the past couple of years feel like mugs now, knowing that he's used pretty much every excuse possible to avoid the big fights that the fans want to see, instead preferring to take on a journeyman like Harrison.

Hopefully the British media realises that Haye was a big fake and don't blackball the sport from now on. We've got lots of top quality fighters that deserve coverage, such as Froch, Khan and DeGale.

[mkirkhope]

These Haye fanboys are a right mess!

What does Haye have to do to show you that he doesn't want to fight the Champs? How about retire early? What about run from a guy Evander Holyfield beat up? Engage in a 12 round sparring session with a rank journeyman? Fight another total no hoper like Audley? Make noises about a fight that will NEVER happen in Chagaev?

Come on guys get real. Haye and Booth both sing from the same sheet of bullshit. Adam was like a spoiled child on Ringside with Eddie Hearn. Haye talks more shite than Floyd Mayweather. The fact is that Haye should have already fought Wladimir and Vitali, they are the champs in 99% of boxing fans eyes. He has made a right arse of itand is now totally locked out as he deserves.

100% correct. I've heard enough of Haye's nonsense.

[DavidPayne]

I tell ya what....as Simon Cowell might say...."we'll miss him when he's gone"......Carl Froch that is.

Pascal, Kessler, Abraham, Dirrell, Magee, Johnson, Taylor.

With Ward after Johnson?

Damn.

And imagine if he then tackles Pascal again......cripes that is a satisfying record.

[Chambers2]

I thought his previous reluctance to take challenges was based on trouble making weight but it seems to have carried over to the new division. Sad, really sad.

WTF are you going on about??

IBO World title challenger after 11 fights
European Champ after 16 fights
Won the World title against the linear Champ in the Champs back garden in his 21st fight
Unified the Cruiser in his 22nd fight

Name me a few of boxers who've done the same or similar??

[Tomasino]

When I can get to a PC instead of my phone, I'll post a decent reply. In the meantime don't get too worked up!