Raging bull Wolak retires at age 30 with 29 wins by Lem Satterfield Dec 8th, 2011 [url] [/url][url] This content is protected [/url] This content is protected This content is protected Pawel Wolak: "With heavy heart, I announce my retirement... the mind needs to know when it is time." This content is protected [url] This content is protected [/url] THE RING's 10-rated junior middleweight, has announced his retirement from boxing in the wake of his unanimous decision loss to [url] This content is protected [/url] at New York's Madison Square Garden on Saturday, a rematch of their majority draw in July. [url] This content is protected [/url] A 30-year-old married father of a toddler-aged son who split-time as a construction worker and roofer, Wolak (29-2-1, 19 knockouts) was known as "The Raging Bull" for a rugged, in-your-face style that had him riding an unbeaten streak of 8-0-1, with five knockouts, heading into his return bout with Rodriguez (26-5-3, 14 KOs). "With heavy heart, I announce my retirement," wrote Wolak on his Twitter page. "U need heart, passion, desire 2 compete, but the mind needs to know when it is time." Wolak's biggest career victory came in March under former manager Ivan Edwards, when the New Jersey pressure fighter scored a sixth-round stoppage of former WBA 154-pound titleholder [url] This content is protected [/url](28-2, 8 KOs). Prior to that, Wolak rose from a second-round knockdown to stop Jose Pinzon in the seventh round in December. "He's a great man, has the heart of a lion and he gave us 120 percent of himself throughout his career," said Top Rank Inc. CEO [url] This content is protected [/url]. "He's going to have a wonderful life in whatever craft that he follows. It's really been a privledge and a pleasure to have been associated with him." Wolak could not be reached, but he wrote a longer message on his Facebook page. "I am at peace with my decision to retire from boxing. I left it all in the ring and I have absolutely no regrets. I got to do what most people will never be able to and I couldnt be more proud to have been part of the best sport in the world," stated Wolak. "I will stay active, busy and in boxing shape as I have done since 17 years old, but I hope to help other fighters in the NY area in their careers. The list of people to thank is too long but you all know who you are." Rodriguez-Wolak I is a Fight of the Year candidate, with Rodriguez hammering away at the right eye of Wolak, even as the area around it swelled to the size of ripe grape fruit. Wolak fought the entire second half of the fight while peering through severely cut and swollen eyes, the right side of his face marred by the large hematoma. Rodriguez-Wolak II took place as part of a stacked undercard whose HBO Pay Per View-televised main event featured RING No. 1-rated WBA junior middleweight beltholder [url] This content is protected [/url] (37-2, 30 KOs) scoring a 10th-round knockout over ex-titleholder [url] This content is protected [/url] (38-8, 27 KOs). "Thank you to my core team, my family, my friends and the fans who have made me a better husband, man, father, son and fighter. I am forever grateful. Thank you to Top Rank for always having my back and to the boxing media who have always been fair and treated me with respect," said Wolak. "I am not going to do any interviews at this time. While I am retiring, I am staying under contract for the duration of my contract terms with both Top Rank and my manager, Cameron Dunkin. Please direct all questions to Cameron. Onwards and upwards."
Wow! Boxing is a cruel sport. I thought he looked bad in the rematch with Delvin but didn't think he was done. I wish him the best.
Smart choice in my opinion. I always liked Wolak's relentless style and wish him nothing but the best. Better to get out of the game quick than to hang around and absorb more and more punishment.
Would people respect him more if he went on for 5 more years, took a couple of beatings and left with slurred speech? Heres a guy who had a solid career,and realised he was never going to be a superstar and make the massive money from the big fights. Why trudge on on for 5 more years and end up being a journeyman? Hope he made some money while he was around and has something set up for himself in retirement. Seems like hes already in the trades, so he should be good. Best of luck to him.
Wolak has my respect. I wish him the best in his future endeavours, he brought us excitement, and his retirement is probably very smart. His style isn't there for the long run, so it's best he gets out of it now while he still can. Again, nothing but the best to Wolak!
probably the best thing for him. i always enjoyed his 'ragin bull' style he was fun to watch and had crazy heart, but he wasn't very good at all. he'd only go as far as his chin would take him. better to get out now rather than latter after years of punishment... bring on Rodriguez - Cotto!!! lol...
What a shocker! All the best to him & his family in the future. Even though he always gave it his all, being that he started boxing very late, there was something missing from his game that just couldn't get him to the next level. I think he recogized that fact & decided to get out with all his senses. Even though I'll miss his relentless style, I won't miss seeing him absorb so much punishment. This content is protected :good This content is protected
