Adam Kownacki vs. Gerald Washington - January 26, 2019

[Ruthless-RKO]

Adam Kownacki will continue his pursuit of a heavyweight title shot against Gerald Washington on January 26 in Brooklyn.

BS.com has confirmed that Kownacki-Washington will be part of a FOX broadcast that night at Barclays Center. Kownacki-Washington was first reported early Tuesday morning by ringpolska.pl.

The Kownacki-Washington bout will be officially announced Tuesday afternoon at a press conference in Los Angeles. During that expansive event, Premier Boxing Champions is expected to unveil at least its main events for FOX and FS1 broadcasts through March as part of the network’s new deal with Al Haymon’s organization.

Kownacki-Washington won’t be the main event January 26.

It’ll open a telecast that could feature the long-awaited return of Keith Thurman (28-0, 22 KOs, 1 NC). The unbeaten WBA welterweight champion is expected to fight Josesito Lopez (36-7, 19 KOs) in what would be the injury-plagued Thurman’s first fight since he defeated Danny Garcia by split decision in their welterweight title unification fight in March 2017 at Barclays Center.

Kownacki (18-0, 14 KOs) will make his third straight appearance and eighth overall at Barclays Center. The Polish-born, Brooklyn-bred Kownacki is 7-0, including four knockouts, at his hometown venue, including an impressive win against Charles Martin (25-2-1, 23 KOs) in his last fight.

The 6-feet-3 Kownacki, 29, defeated the former IBF heavyweight champion by unanimous decision in a 10-round, all-action brawl September 8.

The 6-feet-6 Washington (19-2-1, 12 KOs) won his last fight following back-to-back technical-knockout losses to WBC champ Deontay Wilder (40-0, 39 KOs) and contender Jarrell Miller (22-0-1, 19 KOs) in 2017.

In that 10-round bout, the 36-year-old Washington beat another 6-feet-6 boxer, John Nofire (20-2, 16 KOs), by unanimous decision June 10 in Lancaster, California. A U.S. Navy veteran and former USC football player who began boxing at the late age of 30, Washington was 18-0-1 (12 KOs) entering his loss to Wilder in February 2017.

Washington out-boxed Wilder early and was even on two of the three official scorecards after four rounds before “The Bronze Bomber” dropped him once in advance of that fifth-round stoppage in Birmingham, Alabama.

Kownacki’s run of four straight stoppages ended against Martin.

In July 2017, Kownacki scored a fourth-round KO of another Polish contender, Artur Szpilka, in Uniondale, New York. That fight also was broadcast by FOX from Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

[joshj909]

It's a step down for Kownacki, not sure why he's going for unranked opponent that he is expected to beat when he's had a bit of good momentum since Szpilka.

[jamamb]

well hes barely beating charles martin, im not sure he can really step it up much more before losing

[Ruthless-RKO]

Washington turned down Joe Joyce for this bout.

[dagilechia]

it's a good opponent but i hope it is the last C-class opponent for AK. next he must test himself at the top 10 level vs someone like Breazeale, Parker, Whyte, Pulev, Miller, Ortiz, Povetkin

[joshj909]

it's a good opponent but i hope it is the last C-class opponent for AK. next he must test himself at the top 10 level vs someone like Breazeale, Parker, Whyte, Pulev, Miller, Ortiz, Povetkin

I think Haymon is probably grooming him to be the next WBC voluntary if Wilder beats Fury so none of those fights will happen.

[jamamb]

it's a good opponent but i hope it is the last C-class opponent for AK. next he must test himself at the top 10 level vs someone like Breazeale, Parker, Whyte, Pulev, Miller, Ortiz, Povetkin

I think Haymon is probably grooming him to be the next WBC voluntary if Wilder beats Fury so none of those fights will happen.

i agree, i expect to see kown vs wilder at some point, wilder has already talked about fighting him

[joshj909]

i agree, i expect to see kown vs wilder at some point, wilder has already talked about fighting him

I first thought it when Kownacki turned down Hearn's offer for him to fight on DAZN. The money seemed fairly decent, a few million for each fight, and with Miller on DAZN as well they would've been a good Heavyweight pair to parade in front of the US fans and both could get to an AJ shot quicker. Kownacki turned it down, i'm assuming because he thought his Haymon connection would get him to the WBC title-shot quicker.

[Mexi-Box]

Washington is just a stepping stone. He's just not at that level, but he gave Wilder a good fight.

[Lackeos]

This would be Kownacki's third fight against a recent former title challenger (Szpilka, Martin, and Washington). I think I can see what the matchmaking is aiming for.

[DrDuke]

A decent matchup, hopefully it turns out to be a good bout as well. Kownacki will probably maul Washington to a late stoppage.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Also in action in the co-feature is fast-rising unbeaten heavyweight contender Adam Kownacki (18-0, 14 KOs) who will clash with Gerald Washington (19-2-1, 12 KOs).

Tickets for the show begin at $50 and go on sale Thursday, November 29 at 10 a.m. Tickets can be purchased at ticketmaster.com, barclayscenter.com, or by calling 800-745-3000. Tickets can also be purchased at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center starting Friday, November 30 at noon. Group discounts are available by calling 844-BKLYN-GP.

[Ruthless-RKO]

After this.. Kownacki wants 1 more fight then believes he is ready for a world title..

[jujigatame]

Crap opponent, and the type of "if I can't fight for a title I'm fighting a no-hoper" matchmaking that makes the HW division no fun.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Was it Kauffman who said he wanted either the winner or loser of this fight?

[Mexi-Box]

Was it Kauffman who said he wanted either the winner or loser of this fight?

I'd be surprised if they give Kauffman another fight with a contender. Ortiz/Kauffman was absolutely atrocious to watch. Kauffman/Joyce would be a perfect fight. Joyce needs rounds and Kauffman is tricky and tough.

[Onetimeonly]

Washington is, sadly, more skilled but he'll get outworked. Kownacki is arreola with stamina. Not good

[Lennox]

Good match up. I expect Kownacki to win though.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Was it Kauffman who said he wanted either the winner or loser of this fight?

I'd be surprised if they give Kauffman another fight with a contender. Ortiz/Kauffman was absolutely atrocious to watch. Kauffman/Joyce would be a perfect fight. Joyce needs rounds and Kauffman is tricky and tough.

Yeh. Kauffman vs. Joyce would be good. I mean for Joyce. Would give him much needed rounds and a decent step up.

[gilgamesh]

Solid Heavyweight bout between a few fringe contenders. I think Kownacki takes the decision here, but it'll be a struggle, and whoever wins will win by a close margin. 96-94 kinda win.

[KiwiRider]

Washington is just a stepping stone. He's just not at that level, but he gave Wilder a good fight.

Yes he gave Wilder a good first 4 rounds. But then he virtually quit against Miller. Miller cranked up the punch volume after the first few rounds and Washington couldn't hack it. If he performs like that against Kownacki, it will be a sh*t fight because Kownacki throws heaps of leather from the first bell.

[oogiebe]

Washington is, sadly, more skilled but he'll get outworked. Kownacki is arreola with stamina. Not good

OMG! I actually agree with this 100%.

[oogiebe]

Washington is just a stepping stone. He's just not at that level, but he gave Wilder a good fight.

Yes he gave Wilder a good first 4 rounds. But then he virtually quit against Miller. Miller cranked up the punch volume after the first few rounds and Washington couldn't hack it. If he performs like that against Kownacki, it will be a sh*t fight because Kownacki throws heaps of leather from the first bell.

He lasted 8 v. Miller. I think Washington can beat Kownacki. I think he's all wrong for him.

[Tony1244]

Washington is just a stepping stone. He's just not at that level, but he gave Wilder a good fight.

Yes he gave Wilder a good first 4 rounds. But then he virtually quit against Miller. Miller cranked up the punch volume after the first few rounds and Washington couldn't hack it. If he performs like that against Kownacki, it will be a sh*t fight because Kownacki throws heaps of leather from the first bell.

He lasted 8 v. Miller. I think Washington can beat Kownacki. I think he's all wrong for him.

No one has voted for Washington yet. I voted Adam by decision. But Washington winning would be a mild upset IMO.

[oogiebe]

Yes he gave Wilder a good first 4 rounds. But then he virtually quit against Miller. Miller cranked up the punch volume after the first few rounds and Washington couldn't hack it. If he performs like that against Kownacki, it will be a sh*t fight because Kownacki throws heaps of leather from the first bell.

He lasted 8 v. Miller. I think Washington can beat Kownacki. I think he's all wrong for him.

No one has voted for Washington yet. I voted Adam by decision. But Washington winning would be a mild upset IMO.

Kownacki hasn't fought any fighter that really posed a threat, (one can argue Charles Martin, but I wouldn't). Washington isn't a bad fighter and has a considerable height (three inches) and reach (six inches) advantage and an underrated jab. Kownacki will get frustrated with him.