Andrew Golota

Andrew Golota
Andrew Golota against Mike Mollo (2008)
Statistics
Real name	Andrzej Gołota
Nickname(s)	"Powerful Pole"
Rated at	Heavyweight
Height	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Nationality	Polish
Born	January 5, 1968 (1968-01-05) Warsaw, Poland
Stance	Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights	51
Wins	41
Wins by KO	33
Losses	8
Draws	1
No contests	1
Medal record Competitor for Poland Men’s Boxing Olympic Games Bronze 1988 Seoul Heavyweight European Amateur Championships Bronze 1989 Athens Heavyweight

Andrew Golota (born January 5, 1968 in Warsaw, Poland) is a Polish boxer. Nicknamed "Foul Pole," he won a bronze medal at the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul and is a four-time world heavyweight title challenger.

Amateur career

Golota had 111 wins in an amateur career that culminated in his winning a bronze medal at the 1988 Seoul Olympics. Golota won other international amateur tournaments as well. In 1990, he married a U.S. citizen of Polish descent and moved permanently from Poland to the city of Chicago. His wife had lived in Chicago since the age of eleven.

Gołota's Olympic results were as follows:

• 1st round bye
• Defeated Svilen Rusinov (Bulgaria) 5-0
• Defeated Harold Obunga (Kenya) 5-0
• Lost to Baik Hyun-Man (South Korea) RSC 2

Professional career

In 1992, he turned professional, knocking out Roosevelt Shuler in three rounds. He had three more knockouts and then went the distance for the first time, defeating Robert Smith in six rounds. He won his next 16 fights by knockout. His wins included Bobby Crabtree and Jeff Lampkin. Following his KO of Crabtree he was featured in Ring Magazine's new faces section. Soon after, he faced a respected contender, Maron Wilson. Golota won a ten round decision. Gołota won his next five bouts by knockout. His opponents included Samson Po'hua and Darnell Nicholson, both of whom were considered fringe contenders at the time. The win over Po'hua was memorable for the moment in which Gołota bit Po'hua on the shoulder, two years before the infamous bite-filled rematch between Evander Holyfield and Mike Tyson.

Golota vs. Bowe

Golota's first high-profile fight came against former heavyweight champion Riddick Bowe. Bowe had not fought in nearly a year since his third and final fight with Evander Holyfield, which he won by technical knockout in the eighth round, and had said regarding his opponent, "how do you train for a bum?", paying no attention to his opponent's won-loss record. The fight was held at Madison Square Garden on July 11, 1996, and was televised by HBO as part of its World Championship Boxing series.

Early in the fight it appeared that Bowe had underestimated his opponent's skills, as Golota knocked him down in the second round. After being knocked down in the fourth round, Golota knocked Bowe down a second time in the fifth round and appeared to be winning the fight on all of the ringside scorecards. However, Golota's penchant for not following the rules was also showcased in this fight as he had trouble keeping his punches above Bowe's belt line. After being repeatedly warned, referee Wayne Kelly began deducting points from Golota and had done so twice prior to the seventh round. Early in that round Kelly took a third point from Golota and warned him that if he did it again, he was going to lose the fight. Golota continued to fight and with less than a minute left in the round landed several hard shots that appeared to have Bowe staggered. However, with 37 seconds remaining in the round Golota dropped Bowe with another blatant low punch, directly to the genitals, and Kelly disqualified him.

What ensued was a dramatic riot that left a large number of civilians and policemen injured, including Gołota himself, who was hit by a member of Bowe's entourage with a two-way radio and required eleven stitches to close a cut on his head. The riot, which has been named "Riot at the Garden", was called Event of the Year by the Ring Magazine.

The fight made a number of sports shows, including SportsCenter. The controversy of this fight created interest in a rematch. The rematch was on Pay Per View and Gołota once again led Bowe on the scorecards only to be disqualified in the ninth round, again for multiple low blows. This fight also proved to be controversial, and a protest was filed by Gołota's camp to try to overturn the fight's result. Michael Katz, a sportswriter, coined the term Foul Pole for Gołota.

Both fights are featured on HBO's documentary Legendary Nights The Tale of Bowe Golota.

Despite two losses in a row, Gołota became the WBC number one contender. On October 4, 1997, he received a shot at the world's Heavyweight championship against Lennox Lewis in Atlantic City, NJ. Gołota was knocked out in the first round.

Gołota subsequently claimed that an injection of lidocaine for tendonitis in his right knee given to him by his physician shortly before the fight made him woozy and impaired his vision. The adverse effects of lidocaine include dizziness, blurred vision, seizures. As a result, he filed a medical malpractice suit against his physician, claiming that the injection had cost him the fight and a deal with HBO for $21 million to broadcast his next four to five fights.

Later career

Gołota's boxing career continued with him beating former 2-time world champion Tim Witherspoon by decision. In his next match, he lost to Michael Grant by a knockout in the tenth round in one of The Ring's 1999 fights of the year. Gołota scored two knockdowns of Grant in the first round. He was ahead on all three judges' scorecards in the tenth round when he himself was knocked down. When asked by referee Randy Neuman whether he wanted to continue, he shook his head twice and then haltingly answered "No."

In 2000, Gołota fought in China beating Marcus Rhodes with a third round knockout.

Later in 2000, he faced former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson. In the third round, as he had done in the Grant match, Gołota told the referee he did not want to continue. The result of the fight was later changed to no contest when Tyson failed a post fight drug test, testing positive for marijuana.

Following the Tyson fight, Gołota was inactive for nearly three years before returning to the ring on August 14, 2003. He scored a technical knockout of journeyman Brian Nix in the seventh round. On November 15, Golota knocked out Terrence Lewis in the sixth round at Verona, New York.

Gołota then received a second world title shot, fighting IBF heavyweight champion Chris Byrd at New York City's Madison Square Garden on April 17, 2004. The fight resulted in a draw.

On November 13 of that year, he received his second world title shot in a row. Despite knocking down WBA champion John Ruiz twice within the bout, he lost by unanimous decision.

Golota received his third world title try in a row on May 21, 2005 against WBO champion Lamon Brewster. Though heavily favored to win, Gołota lost when Brewster knocked him down three times inside the first round, prompting the referee to stop the bout.

June 9, 2007, he beat Jeremy Bates in the 2nd round by technical knockout.

Gołota fought Kevin McBride on October 6, 2007 in Madison Square Garden and won by TKO in the 6th round, winning the IBF North American Heavyweight championship.

On January 19, 2008, Gołota defeated Mike Mollo by unanimous decision in 12 rounds to win the World Boxing Association Fedelatin heavyweight championship belt.

In January, 2009, Gołota lost by first round TKO to Ray Austin.

On October 24, 2009 in Łódź, Gołota fought Tomasz Adamek and lost by TKO in the 5th round. The event was hosted on Polsat TV, it was also broadcast live online on ipla.tv platform. It was the largest live internet transmission in Poland^{[citation needed]}.

Professional boxing record

41 Wins (33 knockouts, 8 decisions), 8 Losses (5 knockouts, 3 decisions), 1 Draw, 1 No Contest [1]
Result	Record	Opponent	Type	Rounds	Date	Location	Notes
Loss	41-8-1 1 NC	Tomasz Adamek	TKO	5 (10)	24/10/2009	Atlas Arena, Lodz, Poland	For vacant IBF International Heavyweight title. Golota down in the 5th round.
Loss	41-7-1 1 NC	Ray Austin	RTD	1 (12)	07/11/2008	Sichuan Gymnasium, Chengdu, China	For vacant WBC USNBC Heavyweight title. Golota was knocked down at the start of round 1. Claiming an arm injury, Golota failed to come out for the next round.
Win	41-6-1 1 NC	Mike Mollo	UD	12	19/01/2008	Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, United States	Won WBA Fedelatin Heavyweight title.
Win	40-6-1 1 NC	Kevin McBride	TKO	6 (12)	06/10/2007	Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, United States	Won vacant IBF North American Heavyweight title. McBride was slowing down and did not properly respond to punches.
Win	39-6-1 1 NC	Jeremy Bates	TKO	2 (10)	09/06/2007	Spodek, Katowice, Poland	Bates down in 2nd round.
Loss	38-6-1 1 NC	Lamon Brewster	TKO	1 (12)	21/05/2005	United Center, Chicago, Illinois, United States	For WBO Heavyweight title. Golota was knocked down three times in 53 seconds - all by left hooks.
Loss	38-5-1 1 NC	John Ruiz	UD	12	13/11/2004	Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, United States	For WBA Heavyweight title. Ruiz down twice during the fight.
Draw	38-4-1 1 NC	Chris Byrd	PTS	12	17/04/2004	Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, United States	For IBF Heavyweight title.
Win	38–4 1 NC	Terrence Lewis	TKO	6 (10)	14/11/2003	Turning Stone Casino, Verona, New York, United States	Lewis was down in rounds 1, 2, and twice in round 6.
Win	37–4 1 NC	Brian Nix	TKO	7 (10)	14/08/2003	Dover Downs, Dover, Delaware, United States
NC	36–4 1 NC	Mike Tyson	NC	3 (10)	20/10/2000	The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, United States
Win	36–4	Orlin Norris	UD	10	16/06/2000	Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win	35–4	Marcus Rhode	TKO	3 (10)	22/04/2000	Tianhe Sports Complex, Guangzhou, China
Loss	34–4	Michael Grant	TKO	10 (12)	20/11/1999	Trump Taj Mahal, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States	For NABF Heavyweight title. WBC Heavyweight title eliminator. Grant down twice in 1st; Golota refuses to continue after rising from a knockdown in the 10th.
Win	34–3	Quinn Navarre	TKO	6 (12)	26/06/1999	Hala Ludowa, Wroclaw, Poland
Win	33–3	Jesse Ferguson	UD	10	30/01/1999	Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States	Ferguson was a late replacement for the injured Jimmy Thunder.
Win	32–3	Tim Witherspoon	UD	10	02/10/1998	Hala Ludowa, Wroclaw, Poland
Win	31–3	Corey Sanders	UD	10	21/07/1998	Mark Etess Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win	30–3	Jack Basting	TKO	3 (10)	08/05/1998	Trump Marina Hotel Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win	29–3	Eli Dixon	KO	6 (10)	14/04/1998	Foxwoods Resort, Mashantucket, Connecticut, United States
Loss	28–3	Lennox Lewis	KO	1 (12)	04/10/1997	Caesar's Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States	For WBC Heavyweight title.
Loss	28–2	Riddick Bowe	DQ	9 (10)	14/12/1996	Convention Center, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States	Bowe down in 2nd and 5th rounds. Golota down in 4th round. Golota was DQ'd for low blows.
Loss	28–1	Riddick Bowe	DQ	7 (12)	11/07/1996	Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, United States	Golota was DQ'd after dropping Bowe with a big low blow uppercut.
Win	28–0	Danell Nicholson	TKO	8 (10)	15/03/1996	Convention Center, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win	27–0	Charles Hostetter	TKO	2 (10)	30/01/1996	Medieval Times, Lyndhurst, New Jersey, United States
Win	26–0	Jason Waller	TKO	2 (10)	18/11/1995	Convention Center, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win	25–0	West Turner	TKO	1 (8)	26/08/1995	Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win	24–0	Samson Po'uha	TKO	5 (10)	16/05/1995	Resorts Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win	23–0	Marion Wilson	UD	10	11/04/1995	Bismarck Pavilion, Chicago, Illinois, United States
Win	22–0	Dwayne Hall	TKO	1 (8)	26/01/1995	Rosemont, Illinois, United States
Win	21–0	Darren Hayden	TKO	7 (8)	01/11/1994	MGM Grand, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win	20–0	Jeff Lampkin	RTD	1 (8)	13/08/1994	Las Vegas, Nevada, United States	Lampkin, floored in the 1st round, doesn't come out for the 2nd.
Win	19–0	Jesse Shelby	TKO	2 (8)	18/06/1994	Bismarck Pavilion, Chicago, Illinois, United States
Win	18–0	Terry Davis	TKO	1 (10)	06/05/1994	Boardwalk Convention Center, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win	17–0	Larry Davis	KO	1 (8)	16/03/1994	Chicago, Illinois, United States
Win	16–0	Donnell Wingfield	TKO	1 (8)	14/01/1994	Chicago, Illinois, United States
Win	15–0	Calvin Jones	TKO	2 (6)	23/11/1993	Rosemont, Illinois, United States
Win	14–0	Andre Smith	KO	1 (8)	04/09/1993	Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win	13–0	Marion Wilson	PTS	8	10/07/1993	Fernwood Resort, Bushkill, Pennsylvania, United States
Win	12–0	Carlton West	TKO	2 (8)	22/06/1993	Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win	11–0	Kevin P Porter	KO	3 (6)	15/05/1993	Eagles Auditorium, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
Win	10–0	Bobby Crabtree	TKO	2 (10)	26/03/1993	Union Hall, Countryside, Illinois, United States
Win	9–0	Andre Crowder	TKO	1 (6)	05/02/1993	Eagles Auditorium, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
Win	8–0	Eddie Taylor	TKO	1 (8)	05/12/1992	Dolton, Illinois, United States
Win	7–0	Aaron Brown	TKO	2 (6)	03/10/1992	Saint Andrews Gym, Chicago, Illinois, United States
Win	6–0	James Holly	KO	1 (6)	28/08/1992	Union Hall, Countryside, Illinois, United States
Win	5–0	Robert Smith	PTS	6	24/07/1992	Union Hall, Countryside, Illinois, United States
Win	4–0	Joey Christjohn	TKO	1 (6)	20/06/1992	Chicago, Illinois, United States
Win	3–0	Charles Presswood	KO	1 (4)	27/03/1992	Union Hall, Countryside, Illinois, United States
Win	2–0	Joe Jones	KO	1 (4)	28/02/1992	Union Hall, Countryside, Illinois, United States
Win	1–0	Roosevelt Shuler	TKO	3 (4)	07/02/1992	United Community Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States	Pro debut for 1988 Heavyweight Olympic Bronze Medalist Golota.

Golota in media

Andrew Golota took part in Census 2010 commercials, recorded in Polish and English.

In 2010 Golota appeared in the Polish edition of Dancing with the Stars Taniec z Gwiazdami. His partner was Magdalena Soszyńska-Michno. In his first appearance he danced waltz. He fell out on 7 November 2010, in 1/8 final. He reached 5th place.

External links

• Andrzej Gołota official site
• Professional boxing record for Andrew Golota from BoxRec