THE seemingly ageless Krzysztof Wlodarczyk is refusing to slow things down at 43. ‘Diablo’ enters the ring for the 71st time on Sunday when he tackles compatriot Adam Balski for the vacant WBC Interim bridgerweight title.
This ‘Knockout Boxing’ promotion will probably produce just that, given the respective KO percentages of both Wlodarczyk, 65-4-1 (44 KOs), and Balski, 20-2 (12 KOs). That said, both men have reputations for sturdiness, so it could turn out to be a 12-round affair in Kalisz.
The winner will be in pole position to fight South Africa’s full champion, Kevin Lerena, who knocked out Serhiy Fedchenko in Pretoria at the start of the month. Exactly why an Interim title is needed at all is questionable. This serves as an effective final eliminator with a bauble attached.
It is also a huge opportunity for the durable Balski, who lost to Alen Babic four fights ago. That loss has not particularly aged well, given Babic’s defeat to Johnny Fisher since. Balski, 34, who has battled back from early career promotional issues, will fancy he can push the former IBF and WBC cruiserweight champion to the wire.
Wlodarczyk’s long career began in 2000 and is entering its 25th year. The shaven-skulled Pole has mixed with a who’s who of the cruiserweight scene. Three epic battles with rugged Italian Giacobbe Fragomeni, splitting a couple of bouts with Steve Cunningham, double wins over Francisco Palacios, a come-from-behind knockout of Danny Green, taking part in the WBSS tournament, mixing with a bundle of meaningful names across Eastern Europe and beyond.
That is what Balski is up against on May 25. The winner will join an assortment of sizeable misfits who have found a home between cruiser and heavyweight, courtesy of the WBC’s new weight class. TVP Sport will televise the event from 8.30pm local time.
