It was all right hands on Friday’s ShoBox: The New Generation. International Boxing Federation (IBF) cruiserweight champion Tomasz Adamek (37-1, 25 KOs) successfully defended his title against Johnathon Banks (20-1, 14 KOs) with a win by technical knockout at 1:30 of the eighth round.
In the evening’s co-feature, Giovanni Lorenzo (27-1, 19 KOs) impressed the crowd with a second-round knockout over Dionisio Miranda (19-3-2, 17 KOs).
The event, promoted by Main Events and Ziggy Promotions, in association with K2 Promotions took place from The Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.
The 26-year old Banks, fighting out of Emanuel Steward’s Kronk Gym in Detroit, Mich., was seeking the world renowned gym’s first world title in 25 years.
Banks opened with four solid rounds behind an impressive jab and a powerful right hand. Showing his class and ability in his first world title fight, Banks had his eye on the prize.
But with the raucous Polish-American crowd in attendance, Adamek took control in the sixth with lethal combinations to the body and the head.
“I changed my tactic,” said Adamek after the fight, “and began to land body punches that changed the fight. I have a lot of respect for the right hand of Johnathon Banks but my trainer (Andrzej Gmitruk) told me to be patient, not to rush in and my time will come.”
Following a big right from Banks in the eighth round, the iron-chinned Adamek answered with a textbook right hand of his own that sent Banks sailing into the ropes and down to the canvas. The one punch all but ended the fight.
While Banks beat the count, he was visibly shaken when the fight resumed. Adamek took advantage of Banks’ weakness and delivered a final barrage that forced referee Eddie Cotton to step in and end the fight as Banks folded again appearing temporarily unconscious.
“Adamek began with a slower pace then usual tonight,” said ShoBox analyst Steve Farhood. “But once he accelerated, he knew what to do to bring about a relatively quick ending. Specifically, he began punching to the body before punching to the head.
“Any fighter who can take the kind of power shots that Adamek takes and keep moving forward is going to be in one thrilling fight after another.”
At the time of the stoppage the three judges ringside had the bout 68-65 and 66-67 twice for Adamek.
In his live, post-fight interview with Farhood, Adamek announced, “Everything is possible in the United States. I believe I can be heavyweight world champion.”
“Look out David Haye,” added ShoBox host and play-by-play announcer Nick Charles.
After the telecast, Charles added, “He has three things: Power in both hands, a granite chin and an iron resolve. You can’t discourage Tomasz Adamek, but he does have vulnerability which makes him even more exciting to watch.”
In the co-feature, Lorenzo, who fights out of New York City by way of the Dominican Republic, ended his fight with Miranda in similar fashion. After absorbing a stunning right from Miranda, Lorenzo delivered a game-stopping right to Miranda’s jaw. Miranda dropped and the referee counted him out at 2:48 of the second round.
After a tough loss in June to veteran fighter Raul Marquez, Lorenzo emphatically returned to his winning ways. His victory Friday night earned him the No. 1-ranked position to fight for Arthur Abraham’s middleweight world title.
