Dariusz Michalczewski is one of five Polish boxers who have ever won a world boxing championship. The Gdańsk native reigned in the WBO, WBA, IBF light heavyweight federations and in the WBO cruiserweight category. He is undoubtedly one of the best, if not the best Polish boxer in history. The discussion on this topic is open.
Dariusz Michalczewski the best Polish boxer in history? He answered it himself
In an interview for “Super Express” The 56-year-old was asked why he supposedly considers himself the best Polish boxer of all time. Especially since he fought for years as a representative of Germany. Michalczewski presented his view on the matter.
– I don't treat myself as the best, but as the most decorated. After all, I myself have more successful defenses of championship titles than the rest of our champions combined. These are facts, there is no point in arguing with them. But in fact, I fought most of my fights under the German flag and I think that we will be able to talk about this topic until the end of my life. However, it doesn't bother me, let them talk – he explained.
Dariusz Michalczewski speaks directly about Andrzej Gołota. “In this matter, he even surpassed me”
Then the conversation turned to the Polish heavyweight. “Tiger” himself did not compete in it, but he was asked whether Andrzej Gołota, despite not being a world champion, was the most outstanding representative of the country in this category?
– I don't know, at the end of his career he lost to Saleta and Adamek. He shouldn't have taken those fights, but everyone is the architect of their own destiny. So it's hard for me to say unequivocally whether he was the best. He was definitely the most popular in Poland, he even beat me in that respect. Things were different between us, but I respect Andrzej for earning those big fights. He lost them, but he gave the fans a lot of emotions – assessed the 56-year-old. Let's recall that Gołota fought for the world championship four times and lost every time (to Lennox Lewis, Chris Byrd, John Ruiz and Lamon Brewster).
Dariusz Michalczewski, on the other hand, won 48 of his 50 professional fights (the remaining two were defeats). He successfully defended the WBO light heavyweight world championship belt in 23 fights in a row, and held it for nine years.