New Faces: Andrzej Fonfara

Light heavyweight prospect Andrzej Fonfara takes on former RING champ Glen Johnson in the main event of this week's Friday Night Fights broadcast from the UIC Pavilion in Chicago.

 

New Faces: Andrzej Fonfara

Vital Statistics:

Age: 24
Hometown: Chicago
Weight class: light heavyweight
Height / reach: 6-2 (188 cm) / 77 inches (196 cm)
Amateur record: 103-17 (reported)
Turned pro: October 24, 2008
Pro record: 21-2, 12 knockouts
Trainer: Sam Colona
Manager: Mark Fonfara
Promoter: 8 Count Productions

Best night of pro career: In April of 2010, Fonfara won the WBC’s “youth” light heavyweight title with a fourth-round stoppage of Roger Cantrell, whose only previous loss was a fifth-round TKO to Andre Ward. Fonfara out-boxed the once-beaten fighter before finding range with his power punches in the second round. Once he hurt Cantrell, it only took him two more rounds to overpower the capable boxer from Seattle.

Worst night of pro career: In his ESPN2 debut, July of 2008, Fonfara suffered a second-round TKO to middleweight journeyman Derrick Findley (who had an 11-2 record at the time). Findley dropped Fonfara twice late in the second round. Fonfara (who had a 10-1 record at the time) got up on wobbly legs before the bell but the fight was stopped between rounds.
 

Next fight: Fonfara takes on former light heavyweight champ Glen Johnson in the main event of this week’s Friday Night Fights broadcast from the UIC Pavilion in Chicago (tonight). Johnson has lost four of his last six bouts (all decisions to world-class fighters) but Fonfara still views the 43-year-old veteran as the toughest test of his career. “He’s a great warrior, a great fighter,” he said. “This fight will let me know if I can be a world champ.”
 

Why he’s a prospect: Fonfara has a solid amateur background, good technique and the proper style for his tall and rangy frame.He can stick and move or take the fight to his opponent behind his jab. He also has a loyal local following and a potential national fan base with Polish and Polish-American fans.

Why he’s a suspect: His chin and overall durability are question marks.  

Story lines: After an extensive amateur career in his native Poland, Fonfara relocated to Chicago where he turned pro as a freakishly tall welterweight. Under the guidance of local promotional company, 8 Count Productions, Fonfara developed his professional skills and style as he grew into his lanky frame. Fonfara compiled a 12-2 record while fighting at welterweight, junior middleweight, middleweight and super middleweight during the first three years of his pro career. He says light heavyweight is the most appropriate division for his tall, lanky body, which is claims is stronger than ever now that he does cut as much as 20 pounds as he routinely did when fighting at middleweight. Fonfara’s wake up call to move up from 160 pounds was his second-round TKO to Findley. He says the loss forced him to put on some much needed pounds and – more importantly – to work harder in the gym and take his craft more seriously.
 

Fight-by-fight record

 

2012

 

March 16         Byron Mitchell             TKO 3

       

2011

 

Dec. 16            Phil Williams               KO 3

Sept. 23           Jose Spearman          TKO 2

May 20            Anthony Russell          KO 7

April 9             Ray Smith                    KO 4

Jan. 28            Adam Jaco                  TKO 5

 

2010

 

Nov. 19           Anthony Doughty        KO 1

April 30           Roger Cantrell             TKO 4

Jan. 29            Adan Leal                    TKO 4

 

2009

 

June 26           Skyler Thompson        NC 2

March 27         Kendall Gould              UD 6

Jan. 23            Terrence Wilson           UD 6

 

2008

 

July 11            Derrick Findley            TKO by 2

April 11           Manny Castillo              DQ 2

Feb. 15           Jorge A. Gonzalez        MD 6

 

2007

 

Nov. 16            Dave Saunders            KO 1

Sept. 14           Luis Hodge                   UD 6

July 13             Joshua Rodriguez         KO 3

April 13            Justin Danforth              UD 4

 

2006

 

Dec. 1              Eberto Medina Loss     UD   5

Nov. 10            Calvin Pitts                  TKO 2

Oct. 20             Johnny Higgins Jr        UD 4

June 23            Gregory Walker           UD   4

June 3              Miroslav Kubik            MD   4