Mount Arlington resident Pawel Wolak turned in a dominating performance against former World Champion Yuri Foreman on Saturday night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Coming off a fight in December where Wolak knocked out Jose Pinzon after being put to the canvas early, Wolak controlled this one thoroughly from the start. Foreman seemed to be right back in the middle of the 9th round in the Cotto fight, his knee seemingly not 100% after having surgery.
Unbeaten in his last seven contests, the Debica, Poland native’s high work rate was too much for Foreman, forcing his corner to stop the fight after the sixth round, protecting Foreman from receiving any more damage. An aggressive barrage of combinations to the body and head helped Wolak control the fight. Preparing for the fight by using sparring partners mimicking Foreman’s lateral movements and stick and move style, trainer Aroz Gist felt that Wolak’s high pressure style would be too much for Foreman to handle. It turned out to be the perfect recipe as Wolak was seemingly landing blistering shots as the fight moved on.
Easily the biggest victory for Wolak so far, he made his mark on the junior middleweight scene which is packed with great fighters such as Miguel Cotto, Paul Williams, Alfredo Angulo, and Saul Alvarez. If he stays there remains a question as the Wolak camp eyes a possible matchup with undefeated WBC Silver Middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., which, according to manager Ivan Edwards, would be the sole reason to move up. Other possible matchups that Edwards would like to see Wolak compete in would be with WBA Junior Middleweight champion Cotto, who was headlining the fights on Saturday, or IBF champion Cornelius Bundrage.
The 29 year old is entering his prime and his high intensity, tremendous heart, and improving skill can lead him onto a difficult, yet successful journey through this tough division.
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