Adam Kownacki is reinventing himself following a string of defeats for the former heavyweight contender once tipped as a future world champion.
The 34-year-old saw his career hit the skids after a stoppage defeat to Robert Helenius in March 2020. A revenge mission nineteen months later went the same way as the first.
Kownacki dusted himself down and returned nine months later. A clash against Ali Eren Demirezen in his home of Brooklyn was seen as an opportunity to stop the rot.
In another shocking turn of events, Kownacki lost via unanimous decision. Taking a year out with his career in tatters, Kownacki dropped another difficulty level.
However, the man who defeated Chris Arreola, Charles Martin, and Artur Szpilka during his rankings rise – was beaten for the fourth time in a row.
This time, Joe Cusumano ended Kownacki’s challenge in eight rounds. Each loss seemed to get tougher for Kownacki to take. But the one thing he’s never mentioned is retirement.
Adam Kownacki refuses to give up after four straight losses
“Saturday didnt go how I would have wished for,” he said after the second Helenius loss. “The low blows weren’t intentional. I tried to keep working the body and stay close to Robert, but with a broken orbital bone, I could not see with my left eye. It was all heart after round one.
“I would like to thank everyone who reached out with the warm comments. Waiting for my baby Teddy to come into this world to take my mind off the the fight.”
After The Demierezen defeat, he added: “Hello Brooklyn, thank you for last night. I want to thank everyone who came out or watched me on TV. Especially the folks back in Poland that woke up in the morning.
“It means a lot. I’m feeling good. My hand is not broken, just badly swollen. And I got some stitches. But we’re in the hurt business. A tough loss last night.”
And following the Cusumano horror show, Kownacki stated: “A few bad chapters don’t mean the story is over.
“I’m humble enough to know I can lose it all. Confident enough to know I will get it all back.”
Will Kownacki fight at bridgerweight?
Whether that means a trip down in weight to the 224-pound division remains to be seen. But whatever happens next, Kownacki has to be eased in for his confidence alone.
No more dangerous opponents until the win column lights up green again. With his undoubted talent, we may still see Adam Kownacki lift some gold above his head at some point in the future.
The pressure is undoubtedly off now.
Phil Jay is an experienced boxing news writer.
Editor of World Boxing News since 2010.
