Andrzej Fonfara

Andrzej Fonfara (born 4 November 1987) is a Polish former professional boxer who competed from 2006 to 2018, and held the IBO light heavyweight title from 2012 to 2013. He was based in Chicago for most of his career.

For the Polish ice hockey player, see Andrzej Fonfara (ice hockey).
Andrzej Fonfara
Fonfara in 2011
Statistics
Nickname(s)The Polish Prince
Weight(s)
Height1.89 m (6 ft 2 in)
Reach196 cm (77 in)
NationalityPolish
Born (1987-11-04) 4 November 1987
Białobrzegi, Polish People's Republic
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights36
Wins30
Wins by KO18
Losses5
No contests1

Professional career

Super middleweight

Early career

Andrzej began his career in boxing by joining the Warsaw boxing club Gwardia Warszawa. His trainers were Jacek Kucharczyk and Jerzy Rybicki. After some time he decided to transfer to another Warsaw boxing club, Legia Warszawa, and this time he trained with Krzysztof Kosedowski, Adam Kozlowski and Lukasz Landowski. But he didn't stay there for long and transferred back to his original club. This time he was working with Stanislaw Lakomiec with whom he won his biggest trophies. Finally as a senior he trained with Paweł Skrzecz and Sebastian Skrzecz, and with them he ended his amateur career.

His professional career began in 2006 at Ostrołęka, where he won by majority decision against Czech fighter Miroslav Kubik. After this fight he got a chance to train and fight in the U.S. He currently resides in the U.S. with his family in Chicago and trains with Sam Colonna (Andrzej Golota’s trainer). In 2009 he signed a contract with Dominic Pesoli's 8 Count Productions. That same year, Fonfara tested positive for anabolic steroids. His TKO win over Skyler Thompson was overturned, ending up in a No Contest.[1]

Light heavyweight

At the beginning of 2010 he decided to move to light heavyweight division which was better suited for his body. In 2010 he won a WBC Youth Championship, and in 2011 WBO NABO Title. On September 23, 2011, he won by TKO in second round against Jose Spearman in his home town of Chicago.

Fonfara vs. Johnson, Karpency

Fonfara fought 43 year old former world champion Glen Johnson (51-16-2, 36 KOs) on June 13, 2012, at Chicago's UIC Pavilion.[2] Fonfara defeated Johnson via a controversial unanimous decision with the three judges scoring the bout 99–91, 97-93 and 97–93. Johnson had some success early landing with power shots and jabs when in range, but Fonfara had the better stamina and speed and worked over Johnson, who was fading, for the final four rounds. Fonfara connected well from the distance with jabs, followed by right hands and only allowed Johnson a chance when he chose to fight in close. Johnson announced his retirement after the fight. It was the first time Fonfara had been beyond seven rounds.[3]

Following his first major win against Johnson, Fonfara challenged former world title challenger Tommy Karpency (21-3-1 4 KOs) for the vacant IBO light heavyweight title. The fight took place at the UIC Pavilion on November 16, 2012.[4] In front of 4,224 on a Friday night, Fonfara won the vacant IBO title after stopping Karpency in round 7. Fonfara started off well, until Karpency go in on the action through the middle rounds. In round 7, Karpency slipped and fell on his back, after pleading to the referee to help him up, he eventually got up himself and waved the bout off. Fonfara refused to shake Karpency's hand after the fight. There was bad blood from the beginning of the fight. At the time of stoppage, Karpency was ahead 57-55 on two of the judges' cards, whilst the third judge had it 57-55 for Fonfara. Karpency was knocked down twice in the 1st-round.[5][6]

On June 10, 2013, it was announced that Fonfara would next fight against Spanish boxer and former world champion Gabriel "EL Chico Guapo" Campillo. The fight would be shown live on ESPN Friday Night Fights on August 16 at the U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago.[7][8] The IBO did not sanction the bout and stripped Fonfara of the title.[9] The IBF later sanctioned the fight as an eliminator.[10] Fonfara won the bout via 9th-round knockout. The final blow was a left body shot, which dropped Campillo for the 10 count.[11]

Fonfara vs. Stevenson

In January 2014, Fonfara notified the IBF, who had ordered him to fight Dmitry Sukhotsky in a final eliminator, that he would pass on the opportunity because he had agreed a deal to fight lineal/WBC/The Ring champion Adonis Stevenson. IBF would instead order Sukhotsky to fight their #3 ranked Cedric Agnew.[12] In February, Stevenson signed a deal with boxing adviser Al Haymon.The fight was scheduled for May 24 on HBO, until HBO cancelled the date from their boxing schedule.[13][14] On March 25, Michel confirmed the fight would take place on Showtime instead.[15] Stevenson started off very well, dropping his opponent twice with sharp lefts and appeared close to stopping his opponent. Fonfara however, recovered very well, even dropping Stevenson in the ninth round. Stevenson similarly recovered quickly. The two fighters exchanged punches in a good-action final round and the crowd gave the fight a standing ovation. Stevenson won the fight as the judges scored it 116–109, 115-110 & 115–110. CompuBox Stats showed over the 12 rounds, Stevenson landed 329 of 790 punches thrown (42%) and Fonfara landed 217 of his 613 thrown (35%).[16][17][18]

After the fight with Stevenson he signed a contract with Al Haymon.

Six months later in November 2014, Fonfara made a comeback at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago against fringe contender Doudou Ngumbu (33-5, 12 KOs). Fonfara went the 10 round distance, winning the fight on the scorecards (97-93, 98-92 and 97-93).[19][20] The fight averaged 413,000 viewers.[21]

Fonfara vs. Chávez Jr.

Fonfara fought Julio César Chávez, Jr. on April 18, 2015, at the StubHub Center in Carson, California, for the vacant WBC International Light Heavyweight Championship. A bout in which Fonfara dominated and dropped Chávez with a left hook to the forehead in the 9th round. Before the 10th round begun Chávez told his corner "Stop the fight" making it his first TKO in his career. After fight Chávez said "Yes, I think I won the fight". Some words were lost in translation; he meant to say he felt he was winning the fight at early stages of the bout. Chávez was behind in all three judges score cards at the time of the stoppage.[22][23][24]

Fonfara vs. Cleverly

On October 16, 2015, Fonfara fought former world champion Nathan Cleverly (29-2, 15 KOs) at UIC Pavilion in Chicago for the WBC International light heavyweight title. Fonfara outlasted Cleverly over 12 entertaining rounds to claim a victory by unanimous decision in the main event of a Premier Boxing Champions card. The judges scored it 115–113, 116–112, 116-112 for Fonfara. Combined, Cleverly and Fonfara set CompuBox records for the most combined punches thrown and landed in a light heavyweight fight, throwing 2,524 punches and landing 936, both CompuBox records. Fonfara (28-3, 16 KOs) also set individual records for a light heavyweight by landing 474 punches and attempting 1,413. Despite bleeding from a grotesquely swollen nose over the second half of the fight, Cleverly never stopped coming forward.[25][26]

Fonfara vs. Smith Jr.

It was announced that Fonfara would be defending the WBC International light heavyweight title against 26 year old little-known Joe Smith Jr. (21-1, 17 KOs) at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago, Illinois, on June 18, 2016, in a scheduled 10 round fight in the main event of the Premier Boxing Champions card on NBC.[27]

In an 'Upset of the Year' in the light heavyweight division, Smith won the title by defeating Fonfara via a 1st-round technical knockout. Smith knocked Fonfara down twice in the round 1. The fight was halted after the second knockdown by referee Hector Afu. The official time of the stoppage was at 2:32. Smith caught Fonfara with a big right hand that dropped him. Fonfara got back to his feet. The referee let the fight continue. When the action resumed, Smith landed a left hook that snapped Fonfara's head back. Smith then followed up with a hard right hand to the head that dropped Fonfara in the corner, which ended the fight. The win also ended Fonfara's 15 fight undefeated streak at the UIC Pavilion. Smith went on to defeat former two weight world champion Bernard Hopkins via stoppage in December 2017.[28]

Fonfara vs. Dawson

On February 7, 2017, ESPN revealed that Fonfara would return to the ring on March 4 on the undercard of the Danny Garcia vs. Keith Thurman welterweight unification fight at the Barclays Center in New York. He was scheduled to fight in a 10-round fight against 34 year old, former world champion Chad Dawson (34-4, 19 KOs), who last fought in April 2016 and having lost 3 of his last 6 fights. Fonfara started training with Virgil Hunter before the fight.[29] Going into the tenth and final round, it was reported that Fonfara was behind on the scorecards. 38 seconds into the round, he landed a straight right to Dawson, which shook him, followed by a combination, which forced the referee to stop the fight and claim the much needed win. Dawson was also knocked down in the beginning on round 9, but got back up, beat the count and finished the round. Dawson considered retirement after this fight.[30][31]

Fonfara vs. Stevenson II

On 8 April 2017, Adonis Stevenson revealed on social media that he had finalised a deal to fight Fonfara in a rematch from their first fight in 2014. Yvon Michel later told ESPN that the fight was official and take place in Canada, in the province of Quebec on June 3, 2017 [32][33] Fonfara started the fight well in round 1, connecting with the jab. Stevenson, who was patient with his left hand, eventually landed a left hook to the head of Fonfara, dropping him to the canvas. Fonfara beat the count, but was on steady legs and when he got backed up to in the corner, the bell saved him from an onslaught. Round 2 opened with Stevenson carrying on where he left of, pummeling Fonfara with huge lefts. The fight came to an abrupt end, when Fonfara's trainer, Virgil Hunter stepped up on the apron after just 28 seconds, motioning to the referee to stop the bout, which referee Michael Griffin did. Stevenson retained his WBC and Lineal world titles. Fonfara agreed with the stoppage and Hunter explained in the post fight interview, “There was no need to continue. He was hurt in the first round. He survived, but even when he came back to the corner he wasn’t all the way there. I told him in the second round, ‘Don’t even throw a punch. Just defend until you get yourself back.’ These things happen. I thought he was doing quite well until he fell in and got caught with a punch.”[34][35]

Cruiserweight

Fonfara vs. Sillakh

On April 23, 2018, it was reported that Fonfara would return to fight in Poland for the first time since his first professional fight in 2006 at the Hala Torwar in Warsaw on June 16 against former light heavyweight world title challenger Ismail Sillakh (25-5, 19 KOs) at the cruiserweight limit. Going into the fight, Sillakh was 1-3 in his previous four fights.[36][37] Fonfara defeated Sillakh via sixth-round technical knockout in a scheduled 10 round fight. The ending came when Fonfara unloaded with a flurry of shots that led referee Leszek Jankowiak to stop the fight. The official time was 2 minutes, 14 seconds. Sillakh was also dropped in round 2, however managed to beat the count. At the time of the stoppage, Fonfara was up on the scorecards 49-45, 49-45 and 47-47.[38]

Retirement

On January 24, 2019, PBC announced Fonfara would fight Edwin Rodríguez (30-2, 20 KOs) on the Shawn Porter vs. Yordenis Ugas undercard on March 9 at the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California. The card was to be televised on FOX and FOX Deportes.[39]

On February 13, 2019, Fonfara announced his retirement from boxing at the age of 31.[40] In a statement to fans, he wrote,

"There is no more enthusiasm, and above all [no more] motivation and adrenaline, which gave the desire to go out into the ring and compete. I am healthy, everything is OK, but I no longer have the heart for boxing. I'm always 100 percent or nothing. I can not do otherwise. Thank you."

Fonfara ended his 13 year professional career with 30 wins, 18 coming inside the distance and 5 losses.[41]

Professional boxing record
Professional record summary
36 fights 30 wins 5 losses
By knockout 18 3
By decision 11 2
By disqualification 1 0
No contests 1
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
36 Win 30–5 (1) Ismail Sillakh TKO 6 (10), 2:14 16 Jun 2018 Torwar Hall, Warsaw, Poland
35 Loss 29–5 (1) Adonis Stevenson TKO 2 (12), 0:28 3 Jun 2017 Centre Bell, Montreal, Quebec, Canada For WBC light heavyweight title
34 Win 29–4 (1) Chad Dawson TKO 10 (10), 0:38 4 Mar 2017 Barclays Center, New York City, New York, US
33 Loss 28–4 (1) Joe Smith Jr. TKO 1 (10), 2:32 18 Jun 2016 UIC Pavilion, Chicago, Illinois, US Lost WBC International light heavyweight title
32 Win 28–3 (1) Nathan Cleverly UD 12 16 Oct 2015 UIC Pavilion, Chicago, Illinois, US Retained WBC International light heavyweight title
31 Win 27–3 (1) Julio César Chávez Jr. RTD 9 (12), 3:00 18 Apr 2015 StubHub Center, Carson, California, US Won vacant WBC International light heavyweight title
30 Win 26–3 (1) Doudou Ngumbu UD 10 1 Nov 2014 UIC Pavilion, Chicago, Illinois, US
29 Loss 25–3 (1) Adonis Stevenson UD 12 24 May 2014 Centre Bell, Montreal, Quebec, Canada For WBC and The Ring light heavyweight titles
28 Win 25–2 (1) Samuel Miller KO 2 (10), 0:58 6 Dec 2013 UIC Pavilion, Chicago, Illinois, US
27 Win 24–2 (1) Gabriel Campillo KO 9 (12), 1:37 16 Aug 2013 U.S. Cellular Field, Chicago, Illinois, US
26 Win 23–2 (1) Tommy Karpency TKO 7 (12), 0:57 16 Nov 2012 UIC Pavilion, Chicago, Illinois, US Won vacant IBO light heavyweight title
25 Win 22–2 (1) Glen Johnson UD 10 13 Jul 2012 UIC Pavilion, Chicago, Illinois, US
24 Win 21–2 (1) Byron Mitchell TKO 3 (10), 1:03 16 Mar 2012 UIC Pavilion, Chicago, Illinois, US Won vacant USBO light heavyweight title
23 Win 20–2 (1) Phil Williams KO 3 (10), 1:25 16 Dec 2011 UIC Pavilion, Chicago, Illinois, US
22 Win 19–2 (1) Jose Spearman TKO 2 (8), 1:20 23 Sep 2011 UIC Pavilion, Chicago, Illinois, US
21 Win 18–2 (1) Anthony Russell KO 6 (10), 2:46 20 May 2011 UIC Pavilion, Chicago, Illinois, US Won vacant WBO–NABO light heavyweight title
20 Win 17–2 (1) Ray Smith KO 4 (8), 1:04 9 Apr 2011 Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey, US
19 Win 16–2 (1) Adam Jaco TKO 5 (8), 2:25 28 Jan 2011 UIC Pavilion, Chicago, Illinois, US
18 Win 15–2 (1) Anthony Doughty KO 1 (8), 0:23 19 Nov 2011 UIC Pavilion, Chicago, Illinois, US
17 Win 14–2 (1) Roger Cantrell TKO 4 (10), 1:01 30 Apr 2010 UIC Pavilion, Chicago, Illinois, US Won vacant WBC Youth light heavyweight title
16 Win 13–2 (1) Adan Leal TKO 4 (6), 2:38 29 Jan 2010 UIC Pavilion, Chicago, Illinois, US
15 NC 12–2 (1) Skylar Thompson TKO 2 (8), 2:59 26 Jun 2009 UIC Pavilion, Chicago, Illinois, US Vacant WBF (Foundation) United States super middleweight title at stake;
Originally a TKO win for Fonfara, later ruled an NC after he failed a drug test
14 Win 12–2 Kendall Gould UD 6 27 Mar 2009 UIC Pavilion, Chicago, Illinois, US
13 Win 11–2 Terrence Wilson UD 6 23 Jan 2009 Cicero Stadium, Cicero, Illinois, US
12 Loss 10–2 Derrick Findley TKO 2 (8), 3:00 11 Jul 2008 Aragon Ballroom, Chicago, Illinois, US
11 Win 10–1 Manny Castillo DQ 2 (6), 1:20 11 Apr 2008 Odeum Expo Center, Villa Park, Illinois, US Castillo disqualified for an intentional shoulder-butt
10 Win 9–1 Jorge Alberto Gonzalez MD 6 15 Feb 2008 Cicero Stadium, Cicero, Illinois, US
9 Win 8–1 Dave Saunders KO 1 (6), 0:28 26 Nov 2007 Cicero Stadium, Cicero, Illinois, US
8 Win 7–1 Luis Hodge UD 6 14 Sep 2007 Congress Theater, Chicago, Illinois, US
7 Win 6–1 Joshua Rodriguez KO 3 (4) 13 Jul 2007 Congress Theater, Chicago, Illinois, US
6 Win 5–1 Justin Danforth UD 4 13 Apr 2007 Cicero Stadium, Cicero, Illinois, US
5 Loss 4–1 Eberto Medina UD 5 1 Dec 2006 Cicero Stadium, Cicero, Illinois, US
4 Win 4–0 Calvin Pitts KO 2 (5) 10 Nov 2006 Cicero Stadium, Cicero, Illinois, US
3 Win 3–0 Johnny Higgins Jr. UD 4 20 Oct 2006 Cicero Stadium, Cicero, Illinois, US
2 Win 2–0 Gregory Walker UD 4 23 Jun 2006 Odeum Expo Center, Villa Park, Illinois, US
1 Win 1–0 Miroslav Kubik MD 4 3 Jun 2006 Hala widowiskowo-sportowa, Ostrołęka, Poland
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References
  1. "Adonis Stevenson: Next opponent is likely Andrzej Fonfara". Fightsaga.com. 2014-01-17. Retrieved 2016-02-09.
  2. "Glen Johnson vs Fonfara, Castillo-Popoca on 7/13, ESPN". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved 2017-12-29.
  3. "Fonfara beats 43-year-old Johnson by decision". Retrieved 2016-10-01.
  4. "ANDRZEJ FONFARA VS. TOMMY KARPENCY FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16 » Boxing News". Boxing News 24. 2012-10-05. Retrieved 2017-05-14.
  5. "Boxing: Andrzej Fonfara takes IBO light heavyweight crown". tribunedigital-chicagotribune. Retrieved 2017-05-14.
  6. uszaty70 (2012-11-17), Andrzej Fonfara vs. Tommy Karpency, retrieved 2017-05-14
  7. "Fonfara vs Campillo set for August 16th on ESPN". fightnights.com. Retrieved 2017-05-14.
  8. "News: Rivalta Talks, Szpilka-Mollo Campillo-Fonfara". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved 2017-12-29.
  9. "Fonfara To Be Stripped of Title Over Campillo Clash". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved 2017-12-29.
  10. "Fonfara-Campillo Approved as Eliminator For Hopkins". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved 2017-12-29.
  11. "Fonfara Stops Campillo in Nine; Szpilka KO's Mollo Again". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved 2017-12-29.
  12. "Adonis Stevenson To Face Andrzej Fonfara Next". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved 2017-12-14.
  13. "Adonis Stevenson Inks Agreement With Al Haymon". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved 2017-12-14.
  14. "HBO Withdraws 4/26 Date From Its Boxing Schedule". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved 2017-12-14.
  15. "Stevenson's Promoter on Leaving HBO For Showtime". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved 2017-12-14.
  16. "Both fighters hit the canvas, Stevenson wins decision". May 24, 2014. Retrieved December 19, 2016.
  17. "Stevenson outpoints Fonfara, retains belt". Retrieved 2016-10-01.
  18. "Kathy Duva: Sergey Kovalev Doesn't Want Adonis Stevenson | Fightful Boxing". www.fightful.com. Retrieved 2017-09-28.
  19. "Fonfara tops Ngumbu by unanimous decision". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2017-12-29.
  20. "Andrzej Fonfara Grinds Out Win Over Doudou Ngumbu". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved 2017-12-29.
  21. "Fonfara-Ngumbu Triple, Peak Average of 413K Viewers". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved 2017-12-29.
  22. "Fonfara drops Chavez Jr. who then quits on stool". April 19, 2015. Retrieved December 26, 2016.
  23. "Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. knocked down, stopped by Andrzej Fonfara". ESPN. April 19, 2016. Retrieved December 26, 2016.
  24. Rosenthal, Michael (18 April 2015). "Andrzej Fonfara delivers a severe blow to the career of Julio Cesar Chavez Jr". The Ring. Retrieved 18 April 2015.
  25. "Fonfara outslugs Cleverly in 12-round thriller". Retrieved 2016-07-27.
  26. Bracelin, Jason (16 October 2015). "Andrzej Fonfara outlasts Nathan Cleverly in record-setting 175-pound slugfest". Premier Boxing Champions. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  27. "Andrzej Fonfara v Joe Smith Jr". www.boxnation.com. Retrieved 2016-11-06.
  28. "Scorecard: Smith stops Fonfara, hopes for another big fight". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2016-11-06.
  29. "Andrzej Fonfara vs. Chad Dawson on Garcia-Thurman undercard » Boxing News". Boxing News 24. 2017-02-07. Retrieved 2017-05-15.
  30. "Andrzej Fonfara Rallies, Stops Chad Dawson in Tenth Round - Boxing News". www.boxingscene.com. Retrieved 2017-05-15.
  31. "Fonfara rallies to stop Dawson". Bad Left Hook. 2017-03-04. Retrieved 2017-05-15.
  32. "Stevenson-Fonfara rematch set for June 3". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2017-04-09.
  33. "Adonis Stevenson vs. Andrzej Fonfara Rematch on June 3 - Boxing News". www.boxingscene.com. Retrieved 2017-04-09.
  34. "Adonis Stevenson Demolishes Andrzej Fonfara in Two Rounds - Boxing News". www.boxingscene.com. Retrieved 2017-06-04.
  35. "Adonis Stevenson makes quick work of Andrzej Fonfara in rematch - The Ring". The Ring. 2017-06-03. Retrieved 2017-06-04.
  36. "Andrzej Fonfara vs. Ismayl Sillakh on June 16 in Warsaw". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved 2018-04-24.
  37. "Fonfara returns in Poland as a cruiserweight". fightnews.com. 2018-05-14. Retrieved 2018-05-14.
  38. "Andrzej Fonfara Debuts at Cruiser, Stops Ismayl Sillakh in Six". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved 2018-06-23.
  39. "Porter vs. Ugas Heads To Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved 2019-03-29.
  40. "Andrzej Fonfara retires". fightnews.com. Retrieved 2019-02-13.
  41. "Andrzej Fonfara Retires From Boxing, Not Facing Rodriguez". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved 2019-03-29.
Sporting positions
Regional boxing titles
Vacant
Title last held by
Sebastian Wille		 WBC Youth
light heavyweight champion
30 April 2010 – November 2010
Vacated		 Vacant
Title next held by
Erik Skoglund
Vacant
Title last held by
Roy Jones Jr.		 WBO–NABO
light heavyweight champion
20 May 2011 – September 2011
Vacated		 Vacant
Title next held by
Eleider Álvarez
Vacant
Title last held by
Mark Tucker		 USBO light heavyweight champion
16 March 2012 – November 2012
Vacated		 Title discontinued
Vacant
Title last held by
Thomas Oosthuizen		 WBC International
light heavyweight champion
18 April 2015 – 18 June 2016		 Succeeded by
Joe Smith Jr.
Minor world boxing titles
Vacant
Title last held by
Bernard Hopkins		 IBO light heavyweight champion
16 November 2012 – July 2013
Stripped		 Vacant
Title next held by
Blake Caparello
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