Tomasz Adamek, 46-2, 28 KO’s, will defend his IBF North American Heavyweight title on Saturday afternoon, September 8th at Prudential Center in Newark, NJ when he takes on Travis Walker, 39-7-1, 31 KO’s.
Here are quotes from today’s press conference and post conference interviews held at Prudential Center.
Kathy Duva, Main Events CEO: “We are calling this fight “The Ironbound Throwdown”. This will actually be Tomasz’s 10th fight at Prudential Center in Newark. This is one of the great runs in the history of the sport, to have a local fighter who is so dominant, who has such a beautiful, big fan following. We are pleased here at Main Events to bring him back to Prudential Center, the best venue in the world. This fight will be for the IBF North American Heavyweight title which Tomasz won in his last fight against Eddie Chambers.”
Kathy Duva: “This event is going to pit Tomasz, who has a 46-2 record with 28 knockouts, the former Light Heavyweight Champion of the world, the former Cruiserweight Champion of the world and the #4 contender in the IBF against Travis “Freight Train” Walker. He has a 39-7-1 record with 31 big knockouts. Travis comes here from Houston, Texas. He is rated #12 in the IBF and he is coming off of a great big win over Kali Meehan in Australia. And like Tomasz, Travis began his career in the amateurs. He is the 2003 National United States Super Heavyweight Golden Gloves champion. By all accounts this is going to be a fun fight. We have two guys who are not afraid of anything, most especially each other. They are going to get in the ring and entertain the fans as they both always do.”
Travis Walker: “I’m here to put on a good show, I came to camp in better shape to deal with Tomasz’s speed and movement. I’m going to bring a different kind of a fight for myself as well because I know he is going to throw a lot of punches so I have to be ready to throw a lot of punches as well. The best thing about me is that I have power of mind, so it’s going to be a real good fight. They run as much as they want, they’re going to get caught. I’ve got a great show for y’all.”
I want to make this fight a showcase of my skills. I’m already in a very good form, but this is just a beginning. I’m expecting Adamek to throw a lot of punches, but I also want to be busy in the ring. Maybe busier than usual. I will have special tactics for this fight. I have nothing personal against Adamek, I want to thank him for the opportunity, but I will also hit him with a purpose”
Tomasz Adamek: “I don’t run, I just have great foot work, I love combinations. I love making big fights for my fans. I will fight Travis, no worries. I like to hit my opponents with quick combinations, you could see this in my Nagy Aguilera fight. Travis likes to throw the leather, I’m known to do the same, so it will be a fan friendly event.”
“I’m expecting Travis to be an aggressive fighter, because he believes than he can overwhelm me with just his size and his jab. I heard this before. For the last three weeks I’m training hard, I have five more weeks of hard training with Roger Bloodworth in front of me. It should answer Travis’ question of have I overlooked him. Don’t count on it, Travis”.
“Nobody can tell me that I’m choosing easy fighters to fight. First of all – I don’t choose them, I just say OK when my people tell me the name of the next guy. Second, after fighting possibly one of the most skilled heavyweights in the world, Eddie Chambers, in my next fight, I battled a hard hitting, big guy like Travis Walker. Not an easy thing to do, but boxing is a sport for fans, and I try to deliver every time I step into the ring.”
“This (Walker fight) will be also an important bout for my countryman in Poland – they will be able to see me in primetime, without the necessity of waking up in the middle of the night on September 8. And celebrate afterwards, of course”.