Light heavyweight contender Andrzej Fonfara is looking to avenge his 2014 loss to WBC champion Adonis Stevenson in the near future. Fonfara rode a 16-fight unbeaten streak into the fight with Stevenson, but lost a hard-fought decision in a bout in which both fighters tasted the canvas. When the Polish-born Fonfara traveled to Montreal to challenge Stevenson, it was his first time fighting outside of Illinois since his pro debut in 2006.
Just like Rocky “The Italian Stallion” Balboa training with Apollo Creed on the beach in shorts that would barely register as boxers in modern times, or Lisa Nowak, “the astronaut lady,” barreling down the highway in a pair of Depends, Fonfara has revenge on his mind. He is eyeing sweet, sweet vengeance in the form of a knockout in a future match against Stevenson. When asked by Tha Boxing Voice’s Josh Grayfer if he wants to be the first to take Stevenson’s belt, the 28-year-old wasn’t exactly camera-shy.
“I want to be the first. And I knockout him,” Fonfara said.
First, he has business to take care of.
Fonfara (28-3, 16 KOs) and Joe Smith Jr. (21-1, 17 KOs) will face off in the main event on Premier Boxing Champions’ June 18 card on Spike TV. Smith Jr. comes into the fight on a 15-bout winning streak, and looks to continue his winning ways against a step up in class in the form of Fonfara. Smith Jr. will travel into a Polish-heavy crowd at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago to try and propel his name among the top contenders at 175 pounds.
Fonfara is fresh off three wins since the 2014 loss to Stevenson. In 2015, he made Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. pull a “no mas.” He then won a unanimous decision against the always-tough Nathan Cleverly, a scrap in which Fonfara and Cleverly let the leather fly and set the CompuBox record for punches thrown and landed in a light heavyweight fight.
Fonfara also feels like he has become a better fighter since the loss to Stevenson.
“(I have more) confidence, more punches of course, and I’m a more experienced guy right now. Much smarter fighter,” Fonfara said.
Stevenson, meanwhile, is slated to fight Thomas Williams Jr., who’s coming off a sensational knockout of Edwin Rodriguez, on July 16. If Fonfara and Stevenson manage victories, and with Ward-Kovalev slated for the fall, both men could be likely opponents for one another for a fall scrap.
Fonfara has his sights set on atoning for the 2014 loss “The Count of Monte Cristo” style, and if all goes well on June 18, he could be in line for a revenge opportunity-title shot double up.