Adamek-Estrada Preview!

Main Events presents an intriguing crossroads bout tonight at the Prudential Center in Newark when local favorite Tomasz “Goral” Adamek (39-1, 27 KO’s) defends his recently won IBF International heavyweight championship against 2004 US Olympian Jason “Big Six” Estrada (16-2. 4 KO’s).

Adamek will make his second start at heavyweight after previously winning belts at light heavy and cruiserweight. The Secaucus based Pole made quite the impression during his debut in the 201+ division, demolishing faded contender Andrew Golota last October.

The highly anticipated bout was billed as the “Polish Fight of the Century” but barely was one, as Adamek twice dropped Golota before the one sided drubbing was stopped in the fifth round. Against Golota, Adamek used his athleticism and hard power punches to simply overwhelm his once promising countryman.

Although Adamek’s chin, heart and willingness to mix it up made him the star he is today, he’s shown improvements in his boxing ability as of late, using a powerful jab to keep opponents at bay. His long term success heavyweight remains to be seen, but it’s only fair to say so far so good.

Estrada has twice failed in notable bouts, but has the chance of a lifetime to revitalize his once promising career against Adamek. Estrada is a classy boxer with quick hands, but doesn’t have much pop in his punches. He has also had well documented difficulties staying in shape.

His first defeat came against amateur rival Travis Walker (who Estrada beat three out of four times with headgear on). Estrada came in against Walker undertrained and overconfident, scaling in at a career high 257 lbs before dropping a majority decision. The Walker fight turned out to be a beauty in disguise, as Estrada rededicated himself en route to dominating his next eight opponents while weighing no more than 245 lbs. The win streak guided him to a fight with top ten heavyweight Alexander Povetkin.

Estrada got off to a good start against the former Olympic Gold Medalist, but was hurt down the stretch and dropped a competitive decision. In his most recent bout, he scored a 7^th round stoppage over the upset-minded Zuri Lawrence.

Stylistically, this bout has the makings to be a good one. Estrada’s aforementioned ability to box (he holds skillful victories over gatekeepers/formers contenders in Robert Wiggins, Dominic Jenkins, Lance Whitaker, Derek Bryant and Lawrence) will definitely present problems for Adamek. The last quick-handed boxer Adamek fought was Chad Dawson; the same man who handed him his lone defeat; thus some insiders consider the Providence, RI native a live underdog to say the least.

Estrada also realizes the importance of this bout, weighing in at a career lightest 237 last night. With Adamek’s first true test at heavyweight against coming against a fighter desperate to show why he was once considered a top prospect, tonight’s fight looks to be one worth the price of admission.