Nevertheless, Adamek deserves credit for being confident in his ability and being willing to back up that confidence by taking risks in the ring. The win over Grant makes it four straight at heavyweight for Adamek, following victories against Andrew Golota (TKO 5), Jason Estrada (W 12) and Chris Arreola (W 12) -- all within the past ten months!
Compare Adamek's string of recent wins against what Samuel Peter and Shannon Briggs have done to get their title shots against Wladimir and Vitali Klitschko, respectively. Peter has four wins over the past 13 months ... but they've come against Marcus McGee, Ronald Bellamy, Gabe Brown and Nagy Aguilera. Who? Exactly! Briggs has also been busy - with four bouts in the past nine months - but that's because he hasn't had to break a sweat while facing Marcus McGee (sound familiar?), Rafael Pedro, Dominique Alexander and Rob Calloway.
So, while Adamek diligently prepares to give himself the best chance possible to actually be competitive against a Klitschko, Peter and Briggs compile a handful of meaningless wins over weaker than weak competition. Adamek may not fare any better than Peter or Briggs when he eventually gets a chance to face a Klitschko ... but at least he will have earned his title shot. Plus, while Peter and Briggs can be expected to be tentative and unwilling to throw punches against the Klitschkos, Adamek will undoubtedly go down fighting. That's why the Polish-born Adamek has one of the most loyal fan bases among active heavyweights ... and why the sport needs more fighters like him.