Who is Krzysztof Glowacki? Facts you need to know about ‘Glowka’
Krzysztof Glowacki graces the UK with his presence on March 20 as he faces Hackney's hard-hitting Lawrence Okolie for the WBO World cruiserweight title, live on Sky Sports.
Ahead of the first world title fight of 2021 in Britain, BBN have found out some little-known facts about the travelling fighter:
Early Life
Krzysztof was born in Walcz, Poland on July 31, 1986, which is a place known for it's large lakes and water sporting activity.
Sibling Rivalry
As a child, he used to fight with his older brother, Jacek, who was three years older so often had the beating of him!
Amateur Career
Glowacki had an extensive amateur career, hanging up his vest after 125 bouts, winning 103, with 19 losses and three draws.
He won the Polish Junior national championships three years in a row between 2003-2005. He finished runner-up in the 2007 Polish Senior national championships in the super-heavyweight category.
In 2008, he won bronze in the EU Championships, which England's David Price won the gold. That year was particularly good for UK and Irish boxers, as Billy Joe Saunders; Frankie Gavin; Thomas Stalker; Davey Oliver Joyce; John Joe Nevin; Darren Sutherland; and Kenneth Egan all won gold medals. James DeGale and five others also medalled.
Iron Idols
He counts 'Iron' Mike Tyson as his boxing hero.
Where it all Began
He started boxing at the age of 13, in 1999. Prior to that, the youngster first trained in karate and aikido at the Club Orzel Walcz.
Pro Bow
He made his pro debut in 2008, defeating Mariusz Radziszewski 40-37 on points on a three-fight card promoted by Tomasz Babilonski.
Champion
Aged 23, in September 2009, young Glowacki won his first professional title – the Baltic Boxing Union International cruiserweight title. He defeated Lukasz Rusiewicz on points over six rounds on another three-fight Babilon Promotions card.
U.S. Debut
It wasn't until his 25th contest when he fought outside of his home country Poland for the first time. It was a good move, as he defeated long-reigning world champion Marco Huck at the Prudential Center in New Jersey to win the WBO World cruiserweight title.
World Champion
Glowacki defeated the joint-longest reigning world cruiserweight champion, Marco Huck, in what was the German's 14th defence of the WBO title. Despite being down in round six, the challenger rallied back and rocked the champion in the very same round where he looked finished. Then, in round 11, down on all scorecards, the challenger once more threw everything at the champion to drop him twice and stop him in dramatic fashion in a fight that many believed was the 2015 Fight of the Year.
He retained the WBO World cruiserweight title in his first defence to Steve Cunningham in 2016, again fighting in America, but conceded it to history-making cruiserweight Oleksandr Usyk on points in his following fight in Setember 2016. He was handed the WBO World title back in June 2019 after winning the interim version in the WBSS quarter-finals against Maxim Vlasov, but lost it immediately to Latvian Mairis Breidis in three rounds in the semi-final. Usyk vacated the WBO belt when he moved up to heavyweight, and Briedis went on to win the WBSS final against Yuniel Dorticos, which means Glowacki has only ever lost to World Boxing Super Series champions.
He currently has a record of 2-1, 1KO in world title fights, and also has a record of 3-0 when fighting outside of his native Poland.
Opponents
Including Lawrence Okolie, Glowacki's opponents' combined record adds up to whopping 625-286-22.
Trainer
He is trained by Fiodor Lapin, who is 54 from Russia.
Stats
Bouts: 33
Rounds: 195
KOs: 58%
Height: 6' 0"
Reach: 75"
Personal Life
Krzysztof is married to Karolina Glowacki and they have two children together. He first became a father when he was only 17, which was what prompted him to turn pro and start earning money from his boxing. Krzysztof and Karolina have had a tumultuous marraige, which has caused them to split in the past.
Roll of Honour
Baltic Boxing Union International cruiserweight title
Republic of Poland International cruiserweight title
WBO Inter-Continental cruiserweight title
WBO European cruiserweight title
WBO World cruiserweight title
WBO Interim cruiserweight title
Things you didn’t know about Lawrence Okolie
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