By Marcin Korfanty

In 2008 a fight took place between former EBU champion Rafał Jackiewicz (35-8) and Jan Zaveck (28-1). The action was filled with savage exchanges and ended with a split decision win for Jackiewicz. However the result, in the opinion of a lot of experts, was controversial.

After the fight Zaveck wanted an immediate rematch with the "Warrior" because he felt the decision should have gone to him.

"In my opinion I won 7 rounds. He only won 3, and 2 of them should have been a draw. I do not respect the guy because he does not want to fight with me again." - said Zaveck after the fight.

After two years time, both of the fighters are meant to fight each other for the IBF welterweight title, which currently belongs to Zaveck. However, despite the IBF's intervention the fight might not happen. The deadline of this defense is at the end of February, nevertheless Zaveck resolved that he will look for other opponents and his team will ask the IBF for a possibility of an optional defense.

"Earlier this year Zaveck said that he does not respect me because I did not want to fight with him. We wanted to make a fight against Zaveck as a IBF eliminator, but the federation pointed to [Delvin] Rodriguez as the mandatory opponent. I have officially promised that if I win, my next fight will be against Zaveck and so it would happen. Winning with Bonsu I took over the responsibility of being Europe champion and I had to fight Zaveck. Back then, no one from my team protested and we accepted the fight, despite the fact, that the fight was meant to be just 2 months after my last bout. After the fight, Zaveck publicly insulted me, stating that I do not want to fight him one more time, which was not true. Now, when I am the challenger, he does not want to fight me and is looking for another opponent. Zaveck is obliged to fight with no. 1 challenger, which is me," said Rafał Jackiewicz.

The Polish Warrior thinks the bout should take place as soon as possible, because after the first fight, which was full of action, both of the boxers owe a rematch to the true boxing fans. Jackiewicz is not scared of Zaveck whatsoever. He thinks the champion is a perfect opponent for him.

"I think that it is hard to imagine a better matched opponent for me in a fight for such a prestigious title. We should have make this fight happen because we both owe it to the fans, the real boxing fans!" - said Jackiewicz.

Marcin Korfanty covers the Polish boxing scene for