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| On 8/21 Card: Shem Pagan. Adam Kownacki, Tomasz Adamek, Sadam Ali, Jeremy Bryan |
Adamek - Grant Press Conference Recap A press conference for "The Big Challenge", title fight between Tomasz Adamek, the IBF International Heavyweight and NABO Heavyweight Champion, (41-1, 27 KO's) and Michael Grant, (46-3, 34 KO's) was held Tuesday at Global Boxing Gym in North Bergen, NJ. Michael Grant did not attend the press conference because he is training in Las Vegas, but was present via telephone. Nick Garone, Grant's manager, spoke for Michael Grant. "You are going to see that Michael Grant is prepared. He walks the walk, talks the talk as far as being a professional. He's been away from the spotlight for quite a long time and we believe that's a good thing. Michael is well preserved. He is 37 next week and in world heavyweights that's a good age, it's a seasoned age. August 21st will be a tremendous opportunity for us to be named on the short list of guys like Klitschko and Valuev." Garone added, "We have the utmost respect for Tomasz Adamek, but honestly we see a win as a way to prolong Michael's career and give him an opportunity to get back on the world wide stage." Garone reminded everyone that Michael Grant had once before defeated a Polish legend, Andrew Golota, and he said Grant would do so again on the 21st. Tomasz Adamek was not fazed, he told reporters, "I'm in good shape, I feel strong. I am working with tall sparring partners to get ready for Grant's height; I am learning more movement everyday; I have a stronger right hand and left hook now. I am quick, much more quick than most heavyweights. I'll throw combination and many punches." Roger Bloodworth, Tomasz' trainer pointed out that Grant won his last eight fights and hasn't lost since 2003. He said they were not underestimating Grant. Tomasz agreed that he did not take this fight lightly. He reasoned that he could possibly be the last big fight for Michael Grant and Grant could perceive this as a once in a life-time opportunity to come up in the ranks again. Tomasz explained "You can be surprised sometimes, because when everyone is saying a fighter is down, that is when he can be most dangerous." Tomasz stressed the fact that he respects Grant and has been training hard for 8 weeks. But with 3 weeks still to go, Tomasz said he will be fully prepared to do whatever it takes to win.When asked if he expected to knockout Grant, Tomasz replied, "I never go to ring thinking just knockouts. My dream is to always win, and give good fights for the fans. August 21st at Prudential Center will be good fight, a good night for the fans." When asked who he'd like to fight next Tomasz answered, "I will go wherever there is a good contract. I will fight everybody, it doesn't matter, Haye, Klitschko, because I am never afraid." |
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| Promoter Kathy Duva and Trainer Roger Bloodworth listen as Tomasz Adamek speaks | The "Brick City Boxing Series" card will take place at Prudential Center, Newark, NJ, and is promoted by Main Events and Ziggy Promotions in association with X-Cel Worldwide. Tickets priced at $53, $78, $103 and $253 (ringside) can be purchased at Prudential Center Box Office, by calling TicketMaster at 800-745-3000 or www.Prucenter.com. The fight is being distributed in North America by Integrated Sports Media for live viewing at 9PM EST / 6PM PST on both cable and satellite pay-per-view via iN Demand, DIRECTV, Avail-TVN and DISH Network in the United States and Viewer's Choice and Bell TV in Canada for a suggested retail price of only $29.95 To keep up to date visit the Main Events Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Totowa-NJ/Main-Events/76572871323?ref=ts&__a=16&ajaxpipe=1 and www.mainevents.com PHOTO CREDITS MUST BE GIVEN TO: Mike Gladysz - Millenium Photos | |
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Adamek and Grant Fight Confirmed for August 21st at Prudential Center, Newark, NJ
Tomasz Adamek, the IBF International Heavyweight and NABO Heavyweight Champion, returns to Newark’s Prudential Center on Saturday, August 21st when he takes on Michael Grant as part of the acclaimed “Brick City Boxing Series.” Both titles are on the line. A native of Gilowice, Poland, now fighting out of Jersey City, Adamek has drawn record crowds to Newark’s world class venue during the past year and a half. He returns in August following a successful trip to Ontario, California, where he outclassed highly rated Chris Arreola in front of Arreola’s hometown fans.
Standing a full 6’7” with a wingspan of 86”, Grant (46-3, 34 KO's) is, by far, the biggest opponent Adamek (41-1, 27 KO’s) has ever faced as he continues his quest to add the World Heavyweight Championship to his World Light Heavyweight and World Cruiserweight titles. A former IBC/NABF champ, Grant has been on an 8 bout winning streak since 2003 when he was bested by then undefeated Dominick Guinn. In his last bout on May 7th, Grant scored a first round TKO against Kevin Burnett.
Adamek, who is trained by Roger Bloodworth and Ronnie Shields, has made it clear that he intends to move up when he is ready to face reigning World Heavyweight Champions David Haye and Wladimir and Vitali Klitschko. As the Klitschko brothers both stand over 6’7”, Adamek and his trainers are particularly interested in taking on an opponent of Grant’s stature.
Adamek explained, “This fight makes so much sense for me. Michael Grant is a very big heavyweight. This fight will prepare me to fight Haye or Klitschko. First though, I have to beat Grant and I do not take him lightly. I was pleased with the results of my training camp for the Arreola fight, so for Grant we will follow the same hard regimen but also work on skills that will keep him guessing.”
"I would like to thank Main Events and their staff for their professionalism and the opportunity to face one of the best heavyweights in the division, Tomasz has proven he is a true heavyweight and a force in the division. I realize this is a great opportunity for me and my team and I will be coming to win this fight on August 21st." stated Grant.
“Every time Tomasz Adamek comes to fight at Prudential Arena it feels like a big party,” promoter Kathy Duva of Main Events said. “The atmosphere is electric and the crowd gets bigger and bigger every time. We expect a capacity audience to turn out again, for the fun. Michael Grant provides a new challenge to Tomasz, who must adjust to much taller and harder punching opponents that he faced in the Light Heavyweight and Cruiserweight divisions,” she added. “It should be interesting and exciting to see how Adamek handles a much bigger man.”
Promoted by Main Events and Ziggy Promotions, in association with X-Cel Worldwide, the heavyweight battle will top a 7-bout card. Tickets, priced at $253, $103, $78 and $53 will go on sale in mid-June. For more information, contact Main Events at 973-200-7050 or www.mainevents.com; www.prucenter.com.
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