Heavyweight contender Tomasz Adamek continued his pursuit of a title fight by defeating Michael Grant by unanimous decision on Saturday.
The victory enabled the 33-year-old Pole, the former IBF cruiserweight champion, to improve to 42-1 overall and 5-0 as a heavyweight. Adamek also has 27 knockouts.
“I was ready for a tough fight and ready to go 12 rounds,” Adamek said. “I was prepared very well for the fight. I am upset because for the first time in my career, I got cut [over his left eye]. I’m not happy about that, but I’m happy about the win.”
The 38-year-old American Grant, who once lost to Lennox Lewis for the heavyweight title in 2000, won eight straight fights before Saturday. The loss dropped Grant’s record to 46-4 overall.
Adamek was giving away 10cm and almost 27kg to the larger Grant, but it didn’t seem to have that much of an effect, as Adamek controlled the fight from the opening moments.
Adamek won on all three judges cards. Judge Henry Grant had it 118-110, John Poturaj had it 118-111 and Robert Grasso scored it 117-111.
The Pole scored with a late flurry in the closing seconds of the opening round and as they closed out the round, the two boxers were in a clinch that caused both to fall to the canvas after the bell.
“I don’t know what happened there,” Grant said. “I thought I hit him good, then we both went down and the bell rang. It seemed like any time I did anything to hurt him, the bell would ring. The only thing that Adamek had on me was speed. He was moving in and out. I knew that beforehand that it would be difficult to face him.”
“He sustained and endured. He was on that bicycle and I had a tough time trying to keep up with him,” Grant said.
In the second round, Adamek displayed a right jab that led to a left hook counter. Adamek scored again at the second round bell with a vicious left hook.
“I definitely didn’t expect that left hook,” Grant said.
Grant rallied in the third round with a big left hook that staggered the Polish contender, but Adamek recovered and countered with several left-handed jabs.
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