Tomasz Adamek vs Michael Grant.

Grant had never been on a stage even close to that night at MSG.

I think you could say the same thing about Rahman on his night in LV. It was one thing to knock out Lewis in South Africa with him looking past you, it's another to do it in Vegas on PPV when he's got you in his sights. Rahman tried everything to get out of the fight and then to get under his skin...including that whole incident outside his dressing room.

Two of the better recent cases of heavyweights clearly being intimidated by the moment.

I will agree with the critique of the media, Wallace Matthews and much of the rest of the American media preferred just about anyone in the division to Lennox Lewis.

Love that Ring Magazine cover with Grant on it, saying Lewis would "Quit or get Knocked Out".

 

Good choice by Adamek. It gives him a "name" if only a moderate name, plus it gives him some experience against big guys. He can't go against medium sized and small heavyweights and then jump in with the Klitschkos and expect to compete.

He's gotta be prepared for that size difference. The skill levels are completely different but it's a step.

I like Adamek and hope he does well in the HW division, but I don't see anyone upsetting the Klitschko Brothers.

 

I don't know that Grant carries much of a name in 2010.

But as Duva said, they wanted to get an HBO date but they wouldn't commit to one...so Grant should be a safe one to take off of HBO.

The stuff about his size is them dressing it up.

 

Ring Magazine "Editor-In-Chief" Nigel Collins also said that Grants jab would land first against Golota, thanks to Grant having greater reach.:doh::doh::doh:

Golota went on to routinely out-jab Grant. As if Arm length were the sole determining factor in jab success.:doh:

I dont think Grant could ever have made it in terms of mindset. And this the fundament- when he was ringside watching Bowe vs Holyfield, he only saw the visible aspect of fighting, the physical aspect.

He could not have anticipated, nor could he have been expected to anticipate, the sheer heart-gripping tension of the biggest of big nights- a title fight with an opponent who is your technical and physical superior. It's not being inferior that beats you. Its knowing you are inferior, and not knowing how to approach it.

Thats what Holyfield faced when he fought Bowe. And thats what Grant faced when he fought Lewis. I dont know if any number of Ammy fights can prepare you for that. I think you either have what it takes to overcome the moment, or the moment overcomes you.

He got away with it vs. Golota because Golota didn't finish him and then quit. Against Lewis, at MSG, it was another Level, and Grant didn't do himself any favours. Thats not a knock against him, per se, it has happened to others too.

Grant fought Kamikaze, much like McNeeley had against Tyson, much like Davarryl Williamson had against Savon in the Goodwill Games in the amateurs. Straight into the mouth of the cannon. Thats when you know a guy has let the moment get to him- he either freezes, or he walks into the fire.

I think Rahman was far more suited to the fight game in terms of mentality than Grant ever was.

 

Golota's jab was nothing to sneeze at. Bowe had trouble with his jab, as well.

Henry Akinwande had a good amateur background and he froze in front of Lewis in a small little venue up in Lake Tahoe.

Grant looked like the whole moment, meaning not just Lewis, but the crowd and the occasion, got to him. Experienced boxers get usually get used to it.

As far as Grant not having it mentally...compared to a guy like Briggs, he had mental toughness in spades. Briggs still managed to somehow win a belt...heck, Golota managed to give him a chance on the cards for two title belts.

I think he had enough mentally and physically to make him a tough out, and keep him in a lot of fights, and he wasn't afraid to throw punches...until after Lewis/McCline/Atlas.

 

I think Briggs was an odd case.

He redeemed himself to an extend vs Lewis, doing far better than Grant did, although it is unfair to judge Grant vs Briggs off that one performance.

 

Briggs was fortunate to even get to a Lewis fight, losing to Wilson, struggling with Jorge Valdez, and then getting the fight and decision against Foreman.

I'd give Briggs almost no shot against Grant in the ring sometime in the late 90's...and Briggs was one of the opponents that didn't take HBO's offer to fight Grant, who eventually fought Savarese instead.

In the Lewis fight itself, I don't know, Briggs looked like he was already starting to go south mentally midway through the first round, and I think Lewis was getting the same opinion of things....and I don't think Lewis had all that much respect for him coming into the fight...he was coming forward a lot with his hands down, not really paying Briggs punches all that much attention...but that little balance shot from Briggs (from that left that had very little on it, as they both threw left hands) changed the fights course, and cause Lewis to go on the defensive, and Briggs nearly wet himself in the unexpected turn of events, and even still, struggled to land anything legal as Lewis covered up...it was a few punches tot he back of the head that really moved Lewis across the ring.

But one thing Briggs showed in most of his early fights...he was always good for a round or two of mindless windmilling.

 

Yes, just for what it is worth, Grants people say they sent off contracts to Briggs people, who never returned them. Briggs never denied it.

 

Get hyped:

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Is this on tonight?

 

PAY PER VIEW!?

 

Not for a couple weeks...Saturday, August 21st, and yes, it will be on pay per view.

 

Pay-Per-Stream. :laugh11:

 

It's almost 1:30 p.m. in Chicago. The fight card starts in about seven hours. And I'm genuinely excited. I have to keep myself busy. I get the feeling this is going to be a great main event. I can't wait. I'm going to order it and watch it on the big screen. (Although, I don't think it's going to be televised in HD.)

Anyway, should be awesome!

I think Grant's going to take him. I love watching Adamek fight. But he's struggled a lot (which is why he's fun to watch) in fights with guys like Paul Briggs (twice), Cunningham, Banks, Estrada and Arreola.

I think Grant is too big and too strong for him and Tomasz is not going to be able to mount his customary comeback to win.

I'm hoping for a classic slugfest. And I'm really looking forward to it.

If Grant wins, he has comeback of the year honors nailed down. He'll also probably be ranked in the top five (because Adamek is there now).

This could be wild.

:bears:

 

Grant should take this. Just too big too long of a reach. Adamek should go back to cruiserweight

 

Grant has had trouble getting mean though. And if he's in there with a smaller guy, it might be even worse. Hopefully, he's gotten meaner since I last saw him fight.

 

We are lucky to have Grant. Most guys like him are playing football. If Grant was playing football too, we would have to find somebody else to act as living proof that footballers cannot box.

 

Depending on what really is left of Grant, most likely is a wide decision loss for him. Adamek is not a puncher at HW but he is durable and has been active, and Grant hasnt fought anyone in years at that level.

 

Grant, once upon a time, would have been enough boxer to deal with Adamek, such is the size discrepancy. But I agree with you here...I think inactivity is what will do for Grant. He was a decent fighter in his day but you need to stay active. 10 years ago I could see him heeling Adamek into a loss but not now.

 

::

Seriously though. You may look at the best fighters today (or yesterday) and say to yourself, "this guy couldn't play football if he wanted to."

However, you're most likely looking at a guy who's dedicated his life to boxing, not some other sport. If he'd dedicated it instead to football, for example, he'd look very different - probably much more like a football player.

The point is, you can't say that because the best American heavyweights in history don't look like they'd have been good football players that boxing isn't losing great fighters to other sports. And the reason is that if Ali, or Sonny Liston, or Riddick Bowe had dedicated their lives to football, and not boxing, there's no telling they couldn't have been great there.

 

Irish....don't make me explain this thing to you again! ::

Re: this fight, Adamek TKO 5.

 

it's a shame grant couldn't hack it as a pro footballer... or anything for that matter. so the comparison is a failure

 

Much like Grant, in many regards.

I would actually be mildly impressed if Mike could win this......I do think, and I know it is a tired refrain, that it could inject some more life into the heavyweight division. The Yanks would get all moist at the sight of their big Mandingo beating up the little Polish dude......and suddenly it would be back on bitches, back on.:Gulp::Gulp::scared:

 

Agreed, in the end, about Grant. But it is a bit harsh, sure the guy never had enough sklll to make it as a great boxer, NFL'er, or anything - but you certainly can't mark him down for courage.

 

No No, he is a very brave dude. Fwank Morony referred to this in the buildup to the Lewis fight, and I agree. He goes down but he get's up.

 

:giggle:

 

According to esteemed colonel Bob Sheridan, Adamek's best heavyweight win is "Steve Arreola"

 

Well, I have been in the bar with the 06, and he does like a taste...

 

this is the worst PPV I've ever been dumb enough to buy. I feel raped. Of course, the main event is yet to come, but at this point, it's going to have to be really really fucking great for me to not feel raped by some fat faceless stinky promoter somewhere.

 

Joel Julio's all confident and haughty like he's fighting a real opponent.