The Boxing Nation Looks Towards Tomasz Adamek's Future

By Chris Robinson for 8countnews.com

When IBF Cruiserweight Champion Tomasz Adamek steps into the ring, you will rarely be disappointed.

Sporting a 37-1 record with 25 knockouts and having gone to battle with the likes of Paul Briggs, O’Neil Bell, Chad Dawson, and Steve Cunningham, we have gotten to see Adamek’s mentality as a fighter on full display over recent years.

Adamek is one of the game’s hidden gems, and his calculating yet aggressive nature has made all of the Polish native’s fights can’t-miss opportunities.

Such was the case this past Friday as Adamek defended his belt successfully against Kronk fighter Jonathan Banks by way of a brutal eighth-round knockout.

While Banks did offer up some trying moments for the 32-year-old Adamek, it would ultimately be the Champion’s poise, grit, and underrated power that would leave the challenger helpless on the floor.

Adamek was coming off of a sensational victory over Steve Cunningham less than three months prior, and he did nothing but build on his momentum with his highlight reel stoppage of Banks.

While wanting to get a sense of what the boxing public had to think about Adamek’s performance and his future within the sport, 8 Count News gathered up some choice quotes from some of boxing’s busiest forums. This is the what the boxing world had to say…

“That was a nice KO by Adamek. He left Banks N a HEAP N a Corner…”

“Banks damn near got Marvin Frazier'd. viva Poland”

“I watched the fight. After Banks got up after that right hand, It was obvious he'd be knocked out because he could barely stand on his feet. I thought the ref. would stop the fight sooner but Adamek got a good amount of punches in and dropped Banks to his knees. It was a good fight, nice KO.”

“Yeah, he just crumpled in the corner. Banks was finished after the first knockdown. Main Events has a pretty good thing going with Adamek at the Prudential Center.”

“I thought he looked decent, but very clearly could have dominated Banks early without putting himself in harms way considering the posture Banks was fighting out of. It was pretty clear that Banks was gonna fold as soon as he started applying the pressure. I think he's nuts if he doesn't stay at CW.”

“That right hand that banks landed was SICK! The only time I've ever seen anybody counter a jab with a right hook THAT hard was when Haye blasted Enzo. Like one of the commentators said, you just can’t hit anybody harder than that. That was about as hard a punch as you can land on someone...and Adamek didn’t even move.”

“Adamek is the man. Too bad Haye had to move up. That would've been a good fight.”

“I thought Adamek looked good last night. Banks started strong, hell he even rocked Adamek a couple of times in the fight, but faded pretty early. I was surprised Tomasz didn’t apply more pressure in those earlier rounds, I gave the 1st, 2nd, and 4th to Banks.”

“I thought Adamek looked good but not great. He showed that he has a solid chin & power at CW. He also showed that he can be out boxed. I love the fact that he came right back in less than 3 months to fight again. I hope to see him 2 more times this year. Absolutely no reason to move up to HW or fight Dawson. There are dozens of entertaining defenses for him at CW.”

“Your counting him out way to much at heavyweight, when a 46-year-old Holyfield can still push today’s champions, I don’t think Adamek will lose sleep over the division. Also Wlad, Vitali and Valuev are all very beatable champions.”

“Now that I think about it, I would love to see Adamek fight Enzo Maccarinelli...I think that would be a thrilling fight.”

“I was just astonished when I heard the idea of HW coming up; this is a guy that many of us didn't really, truely accept as a CW until December's win over Cunningham. It never even occurred to me to think of recklessly moving up again.”

“He might as well move up. The only interesting fight at cruiser weight was Cunningham and that is done with. Time to actually challenge himself.”