Boxing: Adamek comes out on top in split decision

Tomasz Adamek, his nose swollen and eyes circled with a purple, seemed satisfied and relieved after he outpointed Steve Cunningham in a split decision in their IBF heavyweight title eliminator at the Sands Bethlehem Events Center on Saturday.

Adamek (48-2) received winning scores of 115-112 from judge Debra Barnes and 116-112 from Dave Greer, while Tom Miller scored it 115-113 for Cunningham (25-5). After six rounds, Miller and Greer had the fight even, and Barnes had Adamek up by two rounds. Greer and Miller gave Adamek three of the last four rounds.

“That was like sparring. Not very many punches were thrown. In a few rounds, I tried to attack him, and he would run. He ran. I fought. It’s why I won.” said Adamek, who fought for the 11th time as a heavyweight, after spending most of his career at light heavyweight.

The fight was a rematch of a 2008 cruiserweight bout that Adamek also won.

Adamek’s trainer, Roger Bloodworth said “I think the more effective puncher won this fight, and that was Tomasz.”