I just came across this, i found it a good read. Golota seems like a pretty humble, chilled out guy. http://www.boxinginsider.com/interviews/one-on-one-with-andrew-golota/ By Scoop Malinowski Andrew Golota is one of the most talented yet misunderstood heavyweights in recent years. He is known as a mean-as-they-come, wrecking machine of a fighter who always seemed to curiously find a way to achieve failure while standing on the brink of victory. First it was the two thrashings of Riddick Bowe who at the time was considered the world’s best heavyweight, fresh off the KO of Holyfield. Golota slaughtered Bowe in both fights, to the point that Bowe has never since entered a ring. He outjabbed, outboxed and outpunched a prime Bowe. But, strangely, it was Golota, ahead on the scorecards against Bowe in both fights, who disqualified himself from victory. Some thought he was crazy, some said he was stupid (also because of a speech impediment), I think it was some kind of fear of success. In other words, while Golota has the skill and talent to be champion, he may not have the desire for the huge responsibility of being a champion and inspiration of the people. Golota seems uncomfortable in the spotlight, about accepting the role as being a heroic champion figure for the world. Despite the “losses” to Bowe, Golota received a WBC title shot against Lennox Lewis in 1997. Again, something strange happened in the big moment of truth, Golota was reportedly in a panic in the hours before the fight and only arrived at the Atlantic City Convention Hall about an hour before the fight. Once in the ring, Golota appeared very tight and uncomfortable. Lewis recognized this and swiftly went on the attack, scoring the first round KO. Against Michael Grant, Golota displayed his extraordinary talents again. He destroyed the unbeaten prospect in the first round, flooring him twice. Then, inexplicably, Golota did not go for the kill in round two. He stopped throwing punches with mean intentions. For some odd reason, he did not finish the job. Grant survived and got back into the fight and went on to win. Again Golota showed his world class fighting prowess but on the verge of triumph, he stopped himself. Against Tyson, Golota overcame a first round headbutt as well as a devastating knockdown by a Tyson overhand right. Golota came out and boxed well in round two, then, curiously quit at the start of round three. Golota took two years off from boxing and has returned with two wins against Terrence Lewis and Brian Nix. He signed with Don King last month and now suddenly has been offered another title shot against Chris Byrd. Everyone in boxing knows Golota can defeat Byrd – IF he really wants it. If he really dedicates himself to the idea of being champion. Byrd is a fine champion and could frustrate Golota with his boxing wizardry. But he may not have the punch power to bother Golota. It is conceivable that Golota could walk down Byrd, dismantle and destroy him similar to how Ike Ibeabuchi did. Equally possible is that Byrd, as tough and courageous as any boxer today, could survive early trouble and Golota could DQ himself again. But the stage is set for April 17th for a very interesting IBF Heavyweight title fight. Will Golota redeem himself by finally winning the title? Or will he self-destruct again in the big moment? What is his destiny? Would a big win by the Pole overshadow all the failures? Does he truly want to become a champion? Will Byrd be able to handle the ferocity of a motivated Golota? Will Byrd’s ring genius be too much for Golota to overcome? Obviously this is a fascinating match. I had the chance for an indepth interview with Golota covering a wide range of issues – including Lewis, the Klitschkos, Oscar, and much much more. I found Golota to be a very intelligent individual, contrary to the public’s perception. Other words to describe him are low-key, almost shy, fun-loving, polite and misunderstood. Here is Part 1 of the exclusive Andrew Golota one-on-one: Boxinginsider.com: “How has Andrew Golota been for the last few years? You look in very good shape… Andrew Golota: “Well, I’ve been off for two years. And actually I didn’t have much to do with my life. I felt bored. So I came back to boxing. That’s what it is. I got two fights aleady. Now I’m here.” Boxinginsider.com: “What do you think of Lennox Lewis’ reign as champion? Do you think he was a great heavyweight champion? Andrew Golota: “Well, he beat me, there’s no question about it [laughs]! I lost to him. I can’t do anything about it. But Lewis was looking for a reason to quit boxing, you know? And the last fight he got (vs. Vitali Klitschko) was the reason why he quit boxing?” Boxinginsider.com: “Klitschko forced him to quit, you believe? Andrew Golota: “That’s what I think. It’s obvious, you know?” Boxinginsider.com: “Was Vitali Klitschko’s performance against Lewis impressive to you? Andrew Golota: “I think it was the biggest screw-up of his life probably the fight with Lewis. He should win this fight. The thing is he just kept his hands too low. That’s why he got so much beat up. That’s why he wasn’t able to come out to continue the fight. The thing is, Lewis didn’t want to take another chance to fight him back. He just quit.” Boxinginsider.com: “Smart move maybe.” Andrew Golota: “For him, yeah.” Boxinginsider.com: “You’re challenging Chris Byrd now for the IBF title. Do you believe you have what it takes to beat him?” Andrew Golota: “Well, basically, that’s why I’m here. Don King told me about this opportunity to fight him, I take it right away. I don’t even think about it. I just took it.” Boxinginsider.com: “Why? What made you make that choice to fight Byrd with only two low-level fights in two years?” Andrew Golota: “Well, the way he fights, I like it. That’s what it is. So I come with the gameplan to beat him up [smiles].” Boxinginsider.com: Do you think Chris Byrd is as good a fighter as Riddick Bowe was? Andrew Golota: “He’s a good boxer, technical, technician. He has good techniques. The thing is, I’m just going to come in and fight with him.” Boxinginsider.com: What’s going to be the difference between winning and losing your fight with Chris Byrd? Andrew Golota: “I’m more mature now. The thing is, there’s only one way to win the title shot. If I don’t do it…never. I’m never gonna have another chance because I’ll be too old. Last time for a shot. My last shot to do it.” Boxinginsider.com: Which fighters do you like to watch? Are there any you like? Andrew Golota: “Yeah, of course. Especially impress me – the last fight – Bernard Hopkins. Really slick fighter, very smart fighter. Fun to watch him. When you look back, the fight De La Hoya and Shane Mosley – as much as I hate De La Hoya [smiles] – he won the fight.” Boxinginsider.com: Not an Oscar fan? Andrew Golota: “No. He fights like a girl, you know [laughs]. Acts like one too [laughter]. No, but seriously, the thing is, as much as I don’t like him, as much he won this fight. You know what I mean? He won this fight. There’s no question about it. But the judges see different. So, boxing is controversial but he won this fight. And it was fun to watch. He had a great gameplan and he did it. He fulfilled it. He should win the fight.” Boxinginsider.com: Are you impressed by Roy Jones? Andrew Golota: “Very much, yes. Actually he did…actually I think somebody did it before him (Michael Spinks), but he came up to ring in heavyweight and he won the title. And the thing is, I think he’s a great fighter.” Boxinginsider.com: Wladimir Klitschko, are you impressed by him? Andrew Golota: “The guy who fought Lewis – no. There’s two of them.” Boxinginsider.com: The younger one – who lost to Corrie Sanders… Andrew Golota: “That’s boxing, you know [laughs]. One second of destruction and you’re out of there. That’s what happened to him with Sanders. He did have a nice fight with Jameel McCline, I believe. Actually, I think he’s a better fighter than the other one. The thing is, he faced Sanders and it changed his life.”
Boxinginsider.com: When you fought Mike Tyson, you got up from that big knockdown in round one and some people think you outboxed Tyson in the second Andrew Golota: Yeah, but the thing was, something misunderstood about me in that fight, referee warned before not to do anything stupid. Dont do anything dirty or something like that. Dont do anything wrong. And the guy comes to me headbutts me, splits open my eye and the referee says nothing. He saw it and says nothing. The thing is, I just flipped out. I say, Theres no justice. And the thing is, my corner didnt see this. Thats why I got so pissed. During the break, they should go out and argue with the referee, tell him what the **** he did. I cant do that. He (former trainer Al Certo) should. So what do I need him for? What am I paying him for? Boxinginsider.com:You took Tysons best shot and got up. Heaviest punch you felt? Andrew Golota: I dont know. Hes some fighter. Basically, theres (a theory that) some people that cant take a punch. I dont think so. Some people are wrongly hit. If you hit your hand on somebodys jaw nobody should stand up. You know what I mean? Same with everybody else. Boxinginsider.com: You were competing with Tyson well in the second round until the head butt Andrew Golota: No, he headbutt me in the first round. Thats why I need some response from the corner, from anybody else. To see why Im cut. Its obvious he lost the point. The first round I lost, but I should win first round because I got cut from a butt. I think he did it on purpose. WBC rules say that he has to be warned and they take away a point from him. When you get split eye in first round at heavyweight, when you fight puncher, theres no way I can survive the fight till the end in distance. Boxinginsider.com: You appear in very good shape right now a month before the Byrd fight. How have you been staying in shape? Andrew Golota: Come on, Im boxing [smiles]. I play basketball once or twice a week. I play tennis occasionally. Tennis is good. Very similar movements to boxing. Good for footwork. I can serve 120 miles and hour [smiles]. Boxinginsider.com:Mike Tyson had something to say about you last week to a Polish newspaper. Heres exactly what he said: I always found Golota a good boxer. I really did and I still do. He just needs temper in the ring. He should control his emotions better. He should be more confident. I wish him luck. May he beat Byrd. Golota is all right. Any comment? Andrew Golota: He became a philosopher [laughs]? Boxinginsider.com: How good was Riddick Bowe? Andrew Golota: Well, in the first fight, he wasnt ready. In the second one, he understood he wish he was never ready. Boxinginsider.com: Whats been the greatest moment of your career? Andrew Golota: Well, not yet. It hasnt happened yet. Boxinginsider.com: Most painful boxing moment? Andrew Golota: Oh, the loss. Every loss. When you lose in boxing, its terrible. You lose mentally, physically, you are sore, you feel pain. All losses are the most painful thing. Boxinginsider.com: What are some of your hobbies and interests? Andrew Golota: I love to travel. Discover things, new lands, vacations, nice places. Try new sports, for example, tennis. Kite surfing have you ever tried that? (No.) Oh my god, its something else. Boxinginsider.com: What sports do you like to watch and follow? Andrew Golota: I love to watch any sport, any real sport. Not like walking 50 kilometers, but basketball, football, skiing, tennis, any sport. Boxinginsider.com: In what fight were you at your very best? Andrew Golota: I think the most amazing fight I had was with Samson Pouha. It was supposed to be an easy fight for me. Turned into a nightmare. I was taking a beating. Then I won. Pretty amazing. Boxinginsider.com: How would winning a title affect your home country in Poland? Andrew Golota: No, better to not talk about it. Boxinginsider.com: Is there anything you would like to say to boxing fans and your fans? Andrew Golota: Well, Ill do everything in my power to win the fight. Boxinginsider.com: Who was your toughest opponent in your career? Andrew Golota: Toughest? It might be ironically, but the toughest opponent I think it was Riddick Bowe. He took so much beating, you know? He still want to fight. Still want to fight. Didnt give up. It was amazing. It amazed me. Boxinginsider.com: And last question, what were your childhood dreams? Andrew Golota: Oh my gosh, I wanted to be a lot of things. One of them was heavyweight champion of the world.
Boxinginsider.com: How would winning a title affect your home country in Poland? Andrew Golota: No, better to not talk about it.” This is interesting, I wonder he meant by that? He did leave Poland after all, not to box but drive trucks so maybe he wasn't too fond of his homeland.
"Basically, there’s (a theory that) some people that can’t take a punch. I don’t think so. Some people are wrongly hit. If you hit your hand on somebody’s jaw – nobody should stand up." Debunked.
Always amazed me how he would lose his marbles during important fights, but in his interviews he's always been almost zen-like, gives great interviews. Almost as if not the same person. Aside the low blows, Golota in his prime vs Bowe displayed some of the best hw boxing, underrated boxer. He threw short, compact, combinations that would give any boxer fits. Rarely see much combination punching by any heavyweights today.
Reporter: " Thank you so much for speaking with us, Mr. Golota." Golota: "Why yew talk me dis whey? Yew disrespek me vit yore wordz..." Reporter: "I'm sorry. What?" Golota: " I crecy man. I stewpid. Talk me funny one moor gin, I eat yore face meat..." Reporter: "Sir. You were cordial and respectful only a few minutes ago. Did I say something?" Golota: " You like woman or sumzing. Too nice. Please leave before I stab yew in leg and drag back to hotel."
