Boxing News Boxing News
Talks have been rumbling for a few weeks now, but now it is a official that on Thursday December 9th, two of the tri-state areas most popular fighters will go toe-to-toe in what promises to be an all-out war, when heavyweight fan favorite, and one of boxing ultimate blood and guts warriors, Vinny Maddalone (33-6, 24KO’s) takes on Poland’s favorite son, Tomasz Adamek (42-1, 27KO’s) at the Prudential Center, in Newark, NJ.
The bout, promoted by Star Boxing, Main Events and Ziggy Promotions, is scheduled for twelve rounds and will be for Adamek’s IBF International Heavyweight and WBO NABO Heavyweight Titles.
“As soon as the fight was mentioned, I just knew we had to put it together,” stated Joe DeGuardia, CEO of Star Boxing and long-time promoter of Maddalone.
“I can only imagine what the atmosphere is going to be like in that arena come December 9th. In one corner you have Tomasz who is practically worshipped by his Polish fans, and has been adopted in his home state of New Jersey, and in the other you have Vinny, who has spent his entire life living in Queens, and who packs the house with Italians each and everytime he steps into the ring.
“The Polish and Italians are real boxing fans, and the fighters are real blood and guts fighters, come fight night everyone will be able to witness that. This is going to be a highly entertaining fight that should have the feel, both in and out of the ring, of the glory days of boxing when fans packed the house to see two real warriors slug it out.”
“This is going to be a fun fight with plenty of action,” stated Kathy Duva, CEO of Main events, Vinny will bring a big following of his own to the Prudential Center and we know the Polish People will be out in force for Adamek. Both fighters’ non-stop action styles compliment each other in such a way that the fight can’t help but be a non-stop slug fest from bell to bell.
“Maddalone is never the type of fighter to shy away from a challenge, and with his aggressive come forward style he makes it nearly impossible to see him in a bad fight.”
Maddalolne has been in numerous thrilling wars throughout his professional career, which first began in 1999, and has produced a number of highlight reel knockouts and performances. Twice on ESPN Maddalone was in fight of the year candidates, first against Brian Minto in 2004, and then again in 2005 when he actually picked up the award for ESPN fight of the year, knocking out Shannon Miller in the 5th round in the main event on Friday Night Fights.
In his last eight outings Maddalone is 6-2, 5KO’s with the two losses coming in hard fought decisions against the former two-time cruiserweight champion Jean Marc Mormeck, and undefeated heavyweight Dennis Boytsov (WBA #3, WBC #4, IBF #5, WBO #5).
“As soon as Joe called me and told me about the fight, I told him to make it happen,” stated Maddalone. “I have studied and admired Adamek for years, and I have nothing but the up most respect for him as a fighter and as a person, but come fight night I am going to be looking to go to war. This is going to be one hell of a fight, that much I can assure you.
“You have two very determined fighters who aren’t afraid to go toe-to-toe and leave it all on the line, and as a true fight fan what more can you ask for? A win over Adamek puts me right in line for a title shot, something that I have waited my entire career for, and I am going to put every ounce of energy and everything I have in me to be victorious come December 9th.”
Adamek, the former Light Heavyweight and Cruiserweight Champion, is 4-0 since the start of his campaign for a championship in the heavyweight division, stopping fellow countrymen Andrew Golota in his first bout at heavyweight, and winning decisions over 2004 Olympian Jason Estrada, and former heavyweight title challengers Chris Arreola and Michael Grant.
He is currently rated in the top ten in all of the major sanctioning organizations (WBO #1, IBF #2, WBC #5, and WBA #9) and a title shot against either of the Klitschko brothers is looming, but first he must get past the determined Maddalone.
“I had some free time but now I am back in training,” stated Adamek. “I will have a lot of preparation before the fight with Vinny on December 9th. Vinny has many American-Italian fans and I’m hoping they come to cheer him on. I think this will be a great fight and a great night for boxing fans.”
The bout against Maddalone will Adamek’s sixth in his last eight being held at the Prudential Center. Adamek, who now calls Jersey City, NJ his home, has seen the sea of Red Polish fans continue to grow in numbers each time he steps into the ring at the Newark arena. In his last fight in August where he defeated Michael Grant by twelve round decision, nearly 11,000 Polish fans turned out to support their favorite son.
Tickets are priced at $53, $78, $103 and $253 (ringside) and can be purchased at the Prudential Center Box Office, or by calling TicketMaster at 1 (800)745-3000. Tickets may also be purchased by calling the Star Boxing office at (718) 823-2000. This event is expected to sell out fast, so don’t wait!
