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Last night in a massive clash between the top Polish fighters of the last ten years, Tomasz Adamek stopped Andrew Golota in five rounds at the Atlas Arena in Lodz, Poland.
Adamek, the former WBC light heavy and IBF cruiserweight champ, came into the bout on the strength of seven straight victories but was making his debut at heavyweight against 41 year old Golota, a four time title challenger at the weight, who was coming off a loss to Ray Austin a year ago.
From the start, Golota advanced upon the former light heavy, looking to draw upon his 42 pound advantage but Adamek constantly sought to keep the bigger man off balance.
Golota continued to come forward in hopes of landing big shots but Adamek was generally far too quick to stay in one place very long.
Adamek reeled off combinations to head and body that battered the older man, who on occasion got in a good shot, forcing Adamek to back off.
Near the end of the first, Adamek rammed home a flush right hand at the back end of a one two combination which froze Golota and a shoulder finished the job as the former heavyweight title challenger hit the canvas.
Golota beat the count, looking more embarrassed than hurt but from that point on Adamek began to exert more pressure.
In the second Golota still pressed the action but his offense was more and more limited to telegraphed roundhouse shots that Adamek saw coming and avoided.
Golota began to use the jab on the way in, with better results, but Adamek still was proving to be too quick to get any meaningful leather upon.
During the last minute of the second, Golota had success with the left hook during a number of exchanges and Adamek was backing up more without throwing anything much of consequence in return.
Golota looked to build upon his successes in the second and began the third with heavy pressure as the pair exchanged jabs and hooks.
Adamek stem the tide, however, by standing his ground and outboxing Golota in the ensuing exchanges. During the latter half of the third, Adamek again went on the back foot and tried to potshot his antagonist.
But Adamek’s efforts were ineffective at dissuading Golota as he came forward with ever greater confidence and began to fins a home for the counter right.
Golota looked to step it up over the last 30 seconds but Adamek made him miss with the wide roundhouse efforts. Adamek got in a good overhand right that bothered Golota in the last seconds of the third.
Adamek increased his activity in the fourth and soon caught Golota again with a crunching right hand after a jab. Golota was clearly shaken and Adamek poured on a torrent of leather, trying to improve upon his work.
Golota tried to clinch but was battered by a fusillade before finally getting to grips and stopping the punishment. Adamek was patient, looking for another opportunity to strike as Golota started coming forward again, landing the occasional good punch, but Adamek proved his chin was up to the task.
Adamek looked to counter Golota’s aggression in the early part of the fifth and once again, a right hand caught Golota flush and the big Pole was on the seat of his pants.
Golota beat the count and tried to stand and trade with Adamek but this proved suicidal as the smaller man rained down a lashing two-fisted attack that had Golota hurt again after another right hand bomb, prompting a referee stoppage.
Adamek adds the IBF International heavyweight title to an already impressive trophy cabinet , moving to 39-1 (27), while Golota drops to 41-8-1 (33).
