Coming off a stellar campaign in 2015, Polish light heavyweight contender Andrzej Fonfara is in the midst of putting together his “wish list” for 2016. The fan favorite, now fighting out of Chicago, was in attendance, at ringside, to support countrymen Artur Szpilka in his quest to dethrone heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder in Brooklyn this past weekend.
In an interview published on Thaboxingvoice’s YouTube page, Fonfara gave a recap on his 2015.
“I think I’m a better fighter right now. I had a good fight vs (Doudou) Ngumbu, (Julio Cesar) Chavez (Jr.), and (Nathan) Cleverly, and think I’m a much better fighter”.
As for what he learned from his recent success and what’s next, “Confidence,” Fonfara admitted. “I’m a more experienced guy right now, much smarter fighter, last three fights gave me a lot of experience to get another fight with (Adonis) Stevenson and beat him”.
Hard to argue with Fonfara’s assessment. In April, coming in as the underdog, Fonfara battered and stopped former middleweight champion Chavez at the Stub Hub Center. He then proceeded to earn a unanimous decision victory Cleverly, a former light heavyweight belt holder, in a fight of the year candidate in his adopted hometown of Chicago.
It’s a common occurrence in boxing for a defeated fighter to ask for a rematch to settle the score. However, it’s not so common for a fighter to actually “earn” the rematch. When we hear Fonfara calling out reigning light heavy belt holder Stevenson, it presents a clear example of someone willing to go through the gauntlet to sway the fans into actually wanting to see the two tangle a second time.
Stevenson and Fonfara originally met in May of 2014. Stevenson dropped Fonfara twice early and though the gritty Pole finished strong, even dropping Stevenson late, Stevenson won a clear unanimous decision victory. At that point time, fans weren’t necessarily clamoring for a second go, now it’s a fight just about all of us want to see again.
“I want this rematch, Stevenson you get ready, I’m ready too”. I say let this man have he wish.
