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Few fighters can claim four attempts at a world heavyweight championship, and even less could do so having endured a career as turbulent as that of Andrew Golota. “The Foul Pole,” is now more affectionately referred to as “The Powerful Pole” by Don King’s promotional company; and a less sinister nickname is not all that Golota owes King’s company. Obviously, the elder statesman of the promotional racket can put the fights together and make a fighter’s dreams a possibility. However, if Golota can defeat current WBO heavyweight champion Lamon Brewster, what assurance do we have that Golota’s reign will not stagnate as have all other King champions? None whatsoever. Brewster is the champion, but comes into the fight lacking the pedigree of his more seasoned challenger. Brewster captured imaginations with his gutsy stoppage of Wladimir Klitschko, but has failed to capitalize on that showing by struggling against the likes of New Zealander Kali Meehan. If you do not rate the credibility of this contest, you still must concede that both fighters can punch, and both are quite adept at hitting the canvas, therefore, we should receive an interesting tussle. Don’t believe me? Well, check in with the SaddoBoxing writers to see if they can convince you of the virtues of this contest.
Richard Eberline: Boy is this is a tough one to call! It is hard to know which Andrew Golota will show up and equally difficult to determine what the enigmatic Lamon Brewster will do in the bout. A look at Brewster’s record shows that he has only beaten one real world-class fighter, the equally mystifying Wladimir Klitschko. Aside from beating the Ukrainian, Brewster has lost to Charles Shufford and Clifford Etienne. His win over Kali Meehan was questionable at best. Golota has shown that he has the potential to beat the best (the Bowe fights before the insane low blows) or disappear completely (the Lennox Lewis fight), all depending on how together his mentality is on the night. The Pole is now thirty-seven, and surely must be feeling backed into a corner time wise. Not to mention the fact that many believe he won both the Chris Byrd and John Ruiz fights. I see this as a prime opportunity for Golota to pull it together and finally win a title. Brewster goes inactive for long periods of time, and is ripe to lose a unanimous decison in Golota’s adopted hometown of the heavily Polish Chicago.
William Wolfrum: The predictor’s took a beating last week with Trinidad-Wright (props to Winky, by the way). So now, what do we have to predict? A heavyweight fight that could go either way. The pick here is Brewster, with the thinking being that he has improved mentally since the Klitschko victory. Also, because Golota could be fighting a crippled Yorkshire Terrier and I wouldn’t pick him. Brewster by third round disqualification after Golota starts smacking his cornermen with the Enswell.
Lee Bellfield: A heavyweight fight that in today’s climate is important to the future of the division. Last chance saloon (again) for Golota. Brewster has good power in his left hook and also, has youth on his side. I think Brewster’s left hands will act as a deterrent to Golota and the younger man will win a decision
Matt Cotterell: I just have to pick Golota, he has the better pedigree, the better skills and provided he doesn’t self destruct (gulps) he will be crowned WBO heavyweight champion by unanimous decision.
Shaun Rico LaWhorn: This clash of heavyweights may be a very interesting fight, a plus for the less than exciting heavyweight division. Lamon Brewster (31-2-27 KOs), the WBO heavyweight champion will take on the veteran Andrew Golota (38-5-31 KOs). Brewster is on a quest to prove he’s not only a powerful heavyweight, but a true champion. Golota is on the path of trying to become a heavyweight champion and this may be his last chance. When you think of Golota, you think about the first round knockout loss to Lewis and the no contest with Mike Tyson. Golota has the potential to surprise you in the ring. I see this fight ending early with a ninth round knockout, the winner being Brewster.
Greig Johnston: I think that Golota will have enough big fight experience to take this one. He’s been desperately unlucky in his last two shots and Brewster has shown me nothing in his career that makes me change my mind. Golota should do enough to win a points decision.
Don Caputo: We all know his story, so backing Andrew Golota in a major fight – he’s never won one – may not be the wisest decision. BUT, on this occasion I have no choice but to put my money on him. His opponent, Lamon Brewster, apart from being able to take one hell of a beating has not shown too much else to lead anyone to believe that he has a chance against a fighter of Golota’s pedigree. Brewster does seem to have a bit of pop in his punches and demonstrated unbelievable heart and will in his championship winning effort against Wladimir Klitschko, but if Golota can get his jab working the way he used to then he should take this won on points. Golota by unanimous decision in a slow-paced fight.
Jim Cawkwell: Of course, Golota’s temperament is an issue when debating his chances of finally becoming a champion. If we are talking class of fighter, Golota is the obvious favorite but his advanced age is also a factor here and if it is a very hard fight down the stretch, his mind may wander into that unstable territory as it has in the past in fights he was dominating. Regardless of form, pedigree and whatever else you might gather to accentuate Golota’s claim, I am going to go on instinct that he will beat Brewster tonight by a decision.
Jim Cawkwell can be reached at jimcawkwell@yahoo.co.uk
