***The Official Golota Express! Bowe-Golota II - 19 years ago today***

I absolutely agree. Instead, he had to settle being draped in the IBF North American and WBA Fedelatin heavyweight titles as consolation. But as years pass, a retired prizefighter's feats usually become more and more appreciated with time. I know in Poland that will be the case with Andrew for sure. Not so sure it'll be exactly the same way in the U.S. but I think it is the job of us fans to keep a retired fighter's career memory alive. It's the least we can do as fans to our favorite fighters who poured out their guts, sweat, and tears so that we fans could feel ecstatic when the bout ended. Golota made this happen against Nicholson, Witherspoon, Norris, McBride, and Mollo (not the only times of course, but these victories stand out, at least in my eyes).

 

I know my arrival to this thread and this forum as a whole is late in the context of Andrew Golota's career, but I always had a tough time after his losses. His entire career was such a rollercoaster ride with many ups, downs, twists and turns - that's for sure. In a way, maybe it's better that I'm here now after the heartbreak of his losses. Now, there are no more disappointments to endure. Nothing would have made me happier than Golota winning a heavyweight world title for Poland. If that happened, I would name my own son in the boxer's honor. I absolutely adored the Pole!

Although he wasn't successful in a world heavyweight prizefight, is a world title the be all and end all in boxing? Can we really say that nothing equates to one of the four major world championships (WBC, IBF, WBA, WBO)?

What about Alex Zolkin? He too paved the way for Eastern European heavyweights (although Andrew has the better all around resume and owns an Olympic Medal, edging Zolkin in pedigree). But see, the thing is, American fans aren't committed to the sport enough to give Eastern European pioneers like Zolkin and Golota their just due. Would the Klitschko brothers have gotten as far without Andrew and Alex? No. Let's start showing Golota (fouls aside) and Zolkin some love (these words of encouragement are obviously geared to all who aren't longtime Golota fans on this forum).

I will leave you with a wake-up call. How many Polish heavyweights have fought for a piece of the heavyweight crown? Six. Nine title bouts (Andrzej Wawrzyk set to make it ten next month). How many have won? None. Who came closest and was a true threat to dethroning the champion? Golota. And he practically did it in a 90s era filled with Hall of Fame heavyweight legends Bowe, Lewis, Tyson, and Holyfield. Fast forward 20 years and compare that to what a guy like Wawrzyk presents today, he will essentially be a record-padder for Wilder. None of the other Polish heavyweights would hold up in a 90s era or similar. To put Golota's title efforts in some perspective, we realize that he was ahead of his time. Let's start appreciating him for that too!

 

I'd love to see it! Izu looks like thunder! IMO Artur Szpilka doesn't have the discipline or strong enough mentality to be in this business. Szpilka was the one who originally was supposed to square off against Breazeale but the fight got cancelled. Leading up to the cancellation, Szpilka had made some crude comments. He also shocked many recently when he announced that he'd be moving back to his native Poland even though it was just in 2015 that he relocated to the U.S. in order to train under the tutelage of Ronnie Shields in Houston, Texas. Shields doesn't think Szpilka's idea of moving back is a good one. I agree and am not surprised. The guy hasn't fought since suffering a brutal KO at the hands of Wilder. It just seems like things are crumbling slowly but surely for Artur Szpilka (btw, I think he's the one who behaves erratically compared to Golota; people forget that Golota donated money to flood victims in the past as well as that he made the Sign of the cross before one of his title fights – and last but not least – Andrew let his fists do the talking for him. He didn't run his mouth like Artur, who has proven to be the king of lip service as evidenced by his pre-fight scuffle with Wilder atop Four World Trade Center of all places). Anyway, go Izu! You're the best Polish heavyweight hope since Golota!

 

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