Tomasz Adamek making IBF cruiser defense against Johnathon Banks!

Tomasz Adamek making IBF cruiser defense against Johnathon Banks!

By Ken Hissner, DoghouseBoxing (Feb 25, 2009) Photo © Tom Casino/SHOWTIME

IBF cruiserweight champion Tomasz Adamek 36-1 (24) from Poland now living in Newark will return to the Prudential Center in Newark to defend his title against IBO champion Johnathan Banks 20-0 (14) of Detroit on Friday, February 27th.

Main Events and Ziggy Promotions, in association with K2 Promotions returns to the Showtime network on ShoBox at 11pm est. First bout live is 8:30pm est.

Adamek won the title last December 11th in a controversial fight from Philly’s Steve “USS” Cunningham by scores of 116-110, 115-112 and 112-114 on the strength of scoring 3 knockdowns in different rounds. This was one of the division’s best fights since James Toney and Vassily Jirov on April 26th in 2003.

Adamek’s on loss is to current WBC light heavyweight champion Chad Dawson on February 3rd in 2007. Adamek had held the WBC title.

Banks is rated #7 in the IBF rankings and trained by famed trainer Emmanuel Steward. Banks won the IBO title in Germany July 12th over Vincenzo Rossitto of Italy by majority decision 115-113, 117-114, 114-114 after Rossitto received a cut in the 5th round from an accidental head clash. Banks other most notable fight was on July 26th of 2006 in coming off the canvas twice in the 1st round against Eliseo Castillo to stop Castillo in the 4th round.

Cunningham now ranked #3 in the IBF is negotiating for a fight against #9 ranked and former WBC champion Wayne Braithwaite in hope the winner will fight this Friday’s winner. This Adamek and Banks bout should be an out and out war!

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Ken at: kenhissner@yahoo.com