Letter from Kermit Cintron to Boxing Fans World Wide Regarding His May 8^th Contest with Paul Williams

 

 

Dear Boxing Fans,

 

I want to clear the air about what actually happened in my May 8th fight with Paul Williams.  There are a lot of rumors floating around and I want to set the record straight.

 

About thirty seconds into round four, Paul Williams lost his balance and started falling to the canvas.  Our bodies got tangled and while Paul just hit the canvas, my momentum carried me through the ropes and out of the ring.  His falling is what caused me to be off-balance and all I could do was brace myself for impact.

 

As I fell from the ring, I think I landed on a TV monitor.  That collision actually knocked the wind out of me.  When I fell from there onto the floor people immediately swarmed around me.  I was not exactly sure what had just happened.  My only concern was trying to catch my breath.

 

I didn’t really know who all the people were around me.  I was looking for my corner and my personal doctor, but they were not allowed near me.  The ringside doctor kept his hand pressing down on me telling me to stay still and on the ground.  He was concerned that I might have cracked my ribs or punctured my lung.  I guess the fall looked worse than it was.  I was sucking wind due to the impact of the fall and the doctor told me not to move.  I simply listened to him and remained still.  I told the doctor that I was ready to fight and that I just needed to catch my breath.  I never said I didn’t want to continue.

 

California law states “A contestant who has been wrestled, pushed, or has fallen through the ropes during a contest may be helped back by anyone and the referee shall allow a reasonable time for the return.” These rules were not followed.  I was not allowed any help from my corner and I was not given time to return to the ring.  I was simply told to stay still and then told that the fight had been stopped.  I told the doctor several times that I was fine and that I could continue the fight.

 

As I was being taken away from the ring against my wishes, I heard it announced that Paul Williams had won a split decision.  I didn’t understand then, and I still don’t, how anyone could have watched that fight and thought that Paul Williams won. 

 

I trained for 8 weeks to get ready for that fight and I was controlling it in every way.  I was on my way to a career defining victory. The fight was going exactly as I had planned.  Everything was going my way.  I am the one who actually buckled Paul Williams with a right hand.  He did not hurt me at all.  Moments later, because of a freak accident, he was awarded a win and I got the loss.  I know I did not ‘lose’ that fight.  There is no way.  I controlled every round.  Paul said he was open to a rematch and I think that’s the only fair way to settle the score. 

 

I know everyone was looking forward to a great fight between two of the premiere 154-lb fighters in the world.  I’m sorry it was cut short but there was nothing I could do about it.  For 3+ rounds I set the tone of the fight.  The action was starting to pick up when our freak accident occurred.  I’m hoping you will want to see us do it all again.  Paul Williams is now telling anyone who will listen that he can make 147 lbs. and would like to fight there.  I can make that weight as well.  Let’s start what we finished.  We started it at 154 and I’m fine finishing it there or at 147.  Paul said he was open to a rematch.  I hope he’s a man of his word.

 

I’m ready to get it on.

 

Kermit Cintron

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quotes From Tomasz Adamek Workout

World Boxing and Fitness Center, Jersey City, NJ

 Photo: Mike Gladysz

 When asked about his weight and Cruiserweight vs. Heavyweight:

ADAMEK

“This weight is natural for me, very comfortable. I am eating more, I am not hungry. For the fight maybe I will weigh what I weigh today, 222lbs. This is my natural weight. This time I am happier when I go into training.”

 “Cruiserweight was more difficult for me. I always had a problem getting to the weight, especially when I was 175. I feel very good at this weight. I feel faster. The difference in training is the sparring partners are heavier, 240, 250lbs. But I feel stronger because my weight is natural.”

 “My dream is to be champion in the heavyweight division. Estrada is a good boxer; but I am serious about this fight. I need to win. It is very important in order to move up for a heavyweight title.” “Estrada is a technical boxer. If I see opportunity to knock him out I will, but if not, I prepared to go 12 rounds.”

 When asked who would he like to fight next:

“I will fight everybody. We have this fight on February 6^th right now I concentrate on that. Maybe in April Arreola, we will see. Maybe a one more fight after that and then I will ready for a championship fight. Right now I must win against Estrada.”

 “Every guy when he comes into the ring wants to win, but I believe I will win this fight. I am stronger, I am healthy. When I am healthy I am very fast. I have power. I feel good!”

 Jason Estrada commented that you will have a problem with his hand speed:

Tomasz – “I’m fast too! I think I am stronger. He must know this. My jab is very strong and my right has the most power.”

 Commenting about being a local favorite:

“I am so happy to be fighting at Prudential Center. I feel like this is my second home. My first home is in Poland. But now my second home in United States is Prudential Center. I won my second belt here, Cruiserweight, but I need to win 1 more belt here, Heavyweight. There are many Polish people in this area. I am happy when I come back to Prudential.”

 Comments from Trainer, Andrew Gmitruk – “You know Estrada is a big guy with a very special style, but Tomasz Adamek is very quick, very comfortable. He is very strong. He is extremely well conditioned. We expect a hard fight, but we expect to win this fight.”

 “Adamek has extremely good movement. It comes from the body, from the legs. His speed is like light heavyweight or middleweight division. Good left hook and right hand. He has not lost his speed or coordination (stepping up to heavyweight). Every day he is getting stronger. He is very well conditioned. I think he is a complete boxer now. Most heavyweights have lost the power, the coordination, and the speed. They are only thinking about the hard punch. Tomasz has everything together with the hard punch. That is why I think he is very dangerous for everybody in the heavyweight division.”

 Tomasz Adamek and his trainer Andrew Gmitruk respond to Jason Estrada comments

 Trainer Andrzej Gmitruk about the "who has fastest hands, disrespecting” issue:

 "It's not about who has fastest hands. It's about who has the quicker mind in the ring. I have no doubts that both answers are the same: Adamek. We are not disrespecting Jason - on the contrary - we know how important this fight is if Tomek wants to be a world champion. He (Estrada) wants to play a spoiler role, but it does not work against somebody with such a strong psyche and determination like Adamek. Maybe Estrada wanted to be disrespected; maybe he was hoping we are not serious about this fight. Unfortunately for him - we are dead serious".

 Adamek:

 "I just smiled when I read Jason quotes. First of all I had no idea he has so much free time on his hands to pay such close attention to what I'm saying and who I'm sparring against. I on the other hand have no idea who he is sparring with and have no desire to know it. I just don't care. I care about my training camp, my preparation. Maybe he has to speak with one of my three sparring partners, 18-1, 15 KO, Travis Kauffman, who could not believe how fast and accurate I can be in the ring.“

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