Tomasz Adamek earned a majority decision in his heavyweight contest against Chris Arreola in Ontario, California.
Pole overcomes power disadvantage to beat Arreola
Tomasz Adamek earned a majority decision in his heavyweight contest against Chris Arreola in Ontario, California on Saturday.
Although the Pole had a disadvantage in both size and punching power, he claimed victory against his American opponent, who was stopped by world champion Vitali Klitschko in their WBC contest last September.
Arreola (28-2), who weighed in 16 kilograms heavier than his opponent, appeared to be close to stopping Adamek in the middle rounds but then hurt his left hand twice.
Adamek was more aggressive and accurate in the final rounds, however, and won the fight on two judges' scorecards while earning a draw on the third.
"This was for me the toughest fight I ever fought," Adamek said after his 10th straight win. "This is why I believe I can be world champion."
Nasty
Arreola's power was to the fore in the first two rounds, with Adamek replying with speed and counterpunching.
The bigger man kept pressing forward and eventually rocked Adamek with a series of blows in the fifth round, starting with a nasty jab. He also hurt him with a big left hand in the sixth, but appeared to get cut in a clash of heads.
With both of Arreola's eyes swelling as Adamek came back into the contest, he repeatedly staggered his opponent backwards in the 10th with combinations.
But Adamek got out of trouble and did impressive work in the final two rounds to earn the win.
"Adamek did what he wanted, and I did what I wanted," said Arreola. "I thought I had him in the fifth round.
"He headbutted me a lot. I got buzzed by his head butts. He beat me. He did what he wanted to do in the ring. I hurt my hand in the fifth round, but I kept going."
A former light heavyweight, Adamek lost his WBC title to Chad Dawson in 2007 before moving to cruiserweight and then to heavyweight. He now hopes to earn a date with one of the Klitschko brothers.
