Mariusz Wach
Mariusz Wach is a Polish professional boxer. He challenged once for the unified WBA, IBF, WBO, and IBO heavyweight titles against Wladimir Klitschko in 2012.
Early life
Mariusz Wach was born 14 December 1979 in Krakow, Poland. He emigrated to North Bergen, New Jersey as an adult.Amateur career
Wach first became acquainted with boxing in 1990, amassing a 90-fight amateur career that saw him represent his native Poland in numerous amateur tournaments. Among his greatest achievements during that period were winning two gold medals and a bronze in the Individual Polish Championships and a silver in the 2004 European Union Championships. Wach later represented Poland in the 2004 Summer Olympics as an alternate.Professional career
Early career
Wach turned pro in April 2005 and defeated Deniss Melniks by first round knockout in Świebodzice, Poland. He made his American debut in January 2006 by defeating Adele Olakanye by decision on the undercard of Arturo Gatti’s destruction of Thomas Damgaard at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, NJ. Wach won seven fights that year, including five in America which was highlighted by winning the Polish International heavyweight title by a ninth round knockout of Arthur Cook in Illinois. A few months later he won a belt in TWBA federation. On April 2009 in Jaroslaw, Poland Wach blasted out his American opponent Julius Long and defended his title of the World Champion in TWBA. Mariusz has also served as a sparring partner for several well-known boxers, including former heavyweight champion Samuel Peter. In 2010, after being sidelined for a year due to injury, Wach returned to the ring in great shape and turned in one of his best performances as a professional, knocking out Christian Hammer in six rounds in Germany.In September 2010, Wach was invited by Mariusz Kolodziej, CEO of Global Boxing Promotions, to move to the United States and train at Global Boxing Gym in North Bergen, NJ. Under the guidance of former heavyweight champion Michael Moorer, Wach began his 2-month training camp in preparation for his matchup with Jonathan Haggler. In his first fight of 2011 – against Haggler in Newark, NJ – Wach scored a third round knockout to win the WBC Baltic heavyweight title. After this fight, Wach signed a promotional agreement with Mariusz Kolodziej of Global Boxing Promotions and Jimmy Burchfield of CES.
Wach’s first big test came in July 2011, when he faced off with Kevin McBride, who ended Mike Tyson’s career as a boxer. Wach was quicker and sharper, and with one right cross, knocked McBride out cold in the fourth round winning the WBC International heavyweight title.
Wach returned to the Mohegan Sun Arena just four months later with another statement-making performance, this time knocking out Jason Gavern in six rounds at the "November Reign" event.
On 24 March Wach showed that he is a force to be reckoned with after scoring a six-round TKO over another giant, Tye Fields. The event took place at the Resorts Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey and got coverage form ESPN's Friday Night Fights.
World title challenge
Wach vs Klitschko
There was first mention of a potential showdown with unified world heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko in August 2011 when Klitschko's team approached Wach's promoters for a fight, however nothing materialized. Wach's promoter Global Boxing stated that it was Klitschko's advisor Shelly Finkel that contacted them. Bernd Boente denied these claims. In August 2012, serious negotiations took place for the fight. A date in November was considered with the venue likely to be in Hamburg, Germany. Terms were fully agreed within days of the negotiations for the fight to take place 10 November. Wach was the fourth Polish contender in history to try to win the world title in the heavyweight division. At 2.02 metres tall, with a reach of 2.08 metres and weighing 251 pounds, Wach was four centimetres taller than Klitschko with a reach two centimeters longer. In Poland, the fight was available via pay-per-view platform on Canal+ Sport for 39 zł and Polsat Sport for 40 zł.On fight night, at the 02 World Arena, Mariusz Wach lost via one sided UD. The three judges' scored the fight 120–107, 120–107, and 119–109, all in favor of Klitschko. The bout opened with a battle between jabs which was won by Klitschko, who was following his jabs with his signature straight right. Wach managed to wobble Klitschko in round five but failed to take advantage. Wach also showed a great chin later in the fight when Klitschko began to let his hands go more landing thunderous shots. During the course of twelve rounds, Klitschko landed 274 of 693 punches landed, whilst Wach landed 60 of his 308 thrown. After the fight, there were allegations against Wach that he had used steroids.
Failed drug test
Wach failed a doping test after losing a world heavyweight title fight against Wladimir Klitschko. He admitted to doping in the bout against Klitschko and got sanctioned by the Federation of German Professional Boxing, but said that he plans to continue his career no matter how harsh the penalties are.Professional boxing record
Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes | |
42 | Win | 36–6 | Kevin Johnson | UD | 10 | 12 Jun 2020 | Konary, Poland.png" /> | Won vacant Republic of Poland International heavyweight title |
41 | Loss | 35–6 | Dillian Whyte | UD | 10 | 7 Dec 2019 | Diriyah Arena, Diriyah, Saudi Arabia | |
40 | Win | 35–5 | Giorgi Tamazashvili | KO | 1 | 5 Oct 2019 | Pieszyce, Poland.png" /> | |
39 | Win | 34–5 | Gogita Gorgiladze | TKO | 2 | 14 Sep 2019 | Akademia Wychowania Fizycznego, Katowice, Poland.png" /> | |
38 | Loss | 33–5 | Martin Bakole | TKO | 8, 2:26 | 6 Apr 2019 | Spodek, Katowice, Poland | For vacant Republic of Poland International heavyweight title |
37 | Loss | 33–4 | Artur Szpilka | SD | 10 | 10 Nov 2018 | Gliwice Arena, Gliwice, Poland | |
36 | Loss | 33–3 | Jarrell Miller | TKO | 9, 1:02 | 11 Nov 2017 | Nassau Coliseum, Uniondale, New York, US | |
35 | Win | 33–2 | Erkan Teper | UD | 12 | 18 Mar 2017 | Arena Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.png" /> | Won vacant IBF East/West Europe heavyweight title |
34 | Win | 32–2 | Marcelo Luiz Nascimento | UD | 10 | 14 May 2016 | Kędzierzyn-Koźle, Poland.png" /> | |
33 | Loss | 31–2 | Alexander Povetkin | TKO | 12, 0:50 | 4 Nov 2015 | Tatneft Arena, Kazan, Russia.png" /> | For WBC Silver heavyweight title |
32 | Win | 31–1 | Konstantin Airich | TKO | 6, 2:39 | 19 Jun 2015 | Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski, Poland.png" /> | |
31 | Win | 30–1 | Gbenga Oloukun | UD | 10 | 14 Mar 2015 | Lubin, Poland.png" /> | |
30 | Win | 29–1 | Travis Walker | KO | 6, 2:30 | 12 Dec 2014 | Radom, Poland.png" /> | |
29 | Win | 28–1 | Samir Kurtagic | UD | 8 | 7 Oct 2014 | Dzierżoniów, Poland.png" /> | |
28 | Loss | 27–1 | Wladimir Klitschko | UD | 12 | 10 Nov 2012 | 02 World, Hamburg, Germany.png" /> | For WBA, IBF, WBO, IBO, and The Ring heavyweight titles |
27 | Win | 27–0 | Tye Fields | TKO | 6, 1:44 | 24 Mar 2012 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, US.png" /> | Retained WBC International heavyweight title |
26 | Win | 26–0 | Jason Gavern | TKO | 6, 1:03 | 6 Nov 2011 | Mohegan Sun Casino, Uncasville, Connecticut, US.png" /> | Retained WBC International heavyweight title |
25 | Win | 25–0 | Kevin McBride | KO | 4, 2:25 | 29 Jul 2011 | Won vacant WBC International heavyweight title | |
24 | Win | 24–0 | Jonathan Haggler | KO | 3, 1:22 | 29 Feb 2011 | Essex County College, Newark, New Jersey, US.png" /> | Won vacant WBC Baltic heavyweight title |
23 | Win | 23–0 | Galen Brown | TKO | 4, 2:48 | 12 Nov 2010 | Twin River Event Center, Lincoln, Rhode Island, US.png" /> | |
22 | Win | 22–0 | Christian Hammer | KO | 6, 1:56 | 17 Jul 2010 | Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany.png" /> | |
21 | Win | 21–0 | Julius Long | TKO | 7, 2:17 | 24 Apr 2009 | Jarosław, Poland.png" /> | |
20 | Win | 20–0 | Remigijus Ziausys | UD | 6 | 7 Feb 2009 | ||
19 | Win | 19–0 | Evgeny Orlov | PTS | 10 | 21 Nov 2008 | Grodzisk Mazowiecki, Poland.png" /> | |
18 | Win | 18–0 | Daniil Peretyatko | UD | 8 | 7 Aug 2008 | ||
17 | Win | 17–0 | Eric Boose | TKO | 7, 1:53 | 11 Jul 2008 | Aragon Ballroom, Chicago, Illinois, US.png" /> | |
16 | Win | 16–0 | Eduardo Franca | KO | 1, 2:57 | 13 Mar 2008 | ||
15 | Win | 15–0 | Yavor Marinchev | UD | 4 | 15 Dec 2007 | Ożarów Mazowiecki, Poland.png" /> | |
14 | Win | 14–0 | Andriy Kyndrych | UD | 6 | 16 Nov 2007 | Tarnów, Poland.png" /> | |
13 | Win | 13–0 | Zoltán Béres | TKO | 4, 1:58 | 16 Dec 2006 | Poznań, Poland.png" /> | |
12 | Win | 12–0 | Alexandrs Borhovs | RTD | 5, 3:00 | 20 Oct 2006 | Włocławek, Poland.png" /> | |
11 | Win | 11–0 | Arthur Cook | RTD | 9, 0:01 | 23 Jun 2006 | Odeum Expo Center, Villa Park, Illinois, US.png" /> | Won Republic of Poland International heavyweight title |
10 | Win | 10–0 | Raman Sukhaterin | UD | 6 | 3 Jun 2006 | Ostrołęka, Poland.png" /> | |
9 | Win | 9–0 | Oleg Belykov | TKO | 2, 1:34 | 6 Apr 2006 | ||
8 | Win | 8–0 | Earl Ladson | UD | 6 | 10 Mar 2006 | Bergen, New Jersey, US.png" /> | |
7 | Win | 7–0 | Adele Olakanye | UD | 4 | 28 Jan 2006 | ||
6 | Win | 6–0 | Oleksandr Subin | UD | 6 | 17 Dec 2005 | Żyrardów, Poland.png" /> | |
5 | Win | 5–0 | Tomas Mrazek | UD | 4 | 1 Dec 2005 | ||
4 | Win | 4–0 | Sedrak Agagulyan | UD | 4 | 27 Oct 2005 | ||
3 | Win | 3–0 | Aleksandrs Borhovs | UD | 4 | 1 Oct 2005 | Niedersachsen, Germany.png" /> | |
2 | Win | 2–0 | Milan Becak | TKO | 2 | 5 Aug 2005 | Warsaw, Poland.png" /> | |
1 | Win | 1–0 | Deniss Melniks | TKO | 1 | 29 Apr 2005 |