One thing needed to change.
Adam Kownacki, after surging out to a 20-0 document as a professional, had seen a profession on the cusp of title pictures skid dramatically wayward. Again-to-back losses to Robert Helenius moved his document to 20-2. Extra importantly, it eliminated Kownacki from the dialog of the elites within the heavyweight division and competition to earn championship fights.
These two bouts weren’t the identical for the 33-year-old Polish native, even past handing him his first setbacks. He entered the ring with the unsuitable mindset, and he is aware of it. However it was a mindset he had by no means skilled earlier than.
“You’ve obtained to be very targeted,” Kownacki advised The Publish. “I obtained to grow to be a father throughout that point, so it was a brand new expertise for me, however I didn’t handle it appropriately, and that was an enormous studying expertise. Additionally, Robert Helenius was an excellent fighter, he caught me with a pair good pictures, generally you want some luck in your aspect, and I didn’t have it these nights. However it’s a studying expertise. I undoubtedly discovered the best way to handle the time extra, and hopefully preserve my fingers up.”
Kownacki admits new fatherhood duties saved him from dedicating the main focus wanted to his coaching and preparation. Late nights dropping sleep, psychological and bodily power expended, and the general distraction from a brand new life expertise hindered him within the ring.
After a nine-month layoff, Kownacki appears to revive his stature in opposition to Ali Eren Demirezen (16-1) because the co-main occasion on the Danny Garcia-Jose Benavidez card (9 p.m., Showtime) at Barclays Heart Saturday evening.
As he approached a make-or-break level in his profession, he knew he couldn’t repeat the identical mistake. He despatched his spouse and household, together with the latest younger member, again to Poland at some stage in his camp, permitting himself to solely fixate on his coaching, and making wanted adjustments to his recreation.
No distractions, no excuses.
“I haven’t seen them in over two months,” Kownacki stated. “It’s been robust, however I do know you’ve obtained to make sacrifices to be a world champion. Yeah, dealing them away to Poland, I haven’t seen them in over two months, so I can’t wait to be on one of many first flights out of New York after the combat (laughs). This entire camp was targeted simply on boxing. I used to be capable of focus extra on simply coaching.”
At seven years outdated, Kownacki, alongside along with his dad and mom and brothers, emigrated from Poland to Greenpoint, Brooklyn, becoming a member of the colourful Polish group within the space.
He’s made a house at Barclays Heart, set to return for his eleventh bout within the area. He’s grow to be a favourite in entrance of the Brooklyn crowd, representing each the borough and the “big” native Polish group.
Kownacki’s tenth combat at Barclays Heart introduced him his first loss. Now, he returns for the eleventh time with a clearer focus.
And a profession that should get again on monitor.
“I’m dwelling proof of the American Dream,” Kownacki stated. “My dad and mom got here right here with completely nothing, they simply moved right here from Poland to present my household a greater life, me and my brothers. I’m dwelling proof. I’m preventing on nationwide TV, Barclays Heart, it doesn’t get higher than that. You may make it in New York, you may make it wherever. I feel I’m dwelling proof that the American dream remains to be alive and nicely. All you’ve obtained to do is figure onerous, and the alternatives will come and also you’ve obtained to care for it.”
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