By Luke Furman

Polish heavyweights Tomasz Adamek (49-3, 29 KOs) of Arthur Szpilka (16-1, 12 KOs) have begun a war of words ahead of their planned showdown on November 8th in Krakow, Poland. Both sides, who are coming back from defeats, look forward to trading punches in the ring. Adamek dropped a decision to Vyacheslav “Czar” Glazkov on March 15, and Szpilka suffered his first loss by way of a tenth round TKO to Bryant Jennings in January.

"The talks were very long, but one and then the other side made concessions and I think everyone is happy. I am very happy with meeting Tomasz Adamek, who I once so admired. It is true that in the heavyweight division he is not as strong as he used to be, but prior to that he won world titles in two divisions. Since the day I got out of prison, I dreamed of such a fight. Previously, the chances were not realistic, but Adamek recently lost to Glazkov and the opportunity came up. I want to see who really is the number one heavyweight in Polish. Adamek had better not underestimate me, I will do anything to defeat him. For me this fight is do or die," Szpilka said.

Adamek reacted, especially to Team Szpilka demanding that he undergoes Olympic style drug testing for performance enhancing drugs.

"I am delighted that once again, after a few years, I will be able to perform on Polish soil. I will be prepared 120% and I will show you what else I can do. As for the tests, it's like someone is afraid. I think it's nitpicking and fear from [Szpilka's Polish promoter] Andrzej Wasilewski before releasing his boyfriend to me. Throughout my career I've passing many anti-doping tests and I was always been clean," said Adamek.

Luke Furman covers boxing for bosker.org