Andrew Golota

Template:Short description Template:Infobox boxer Andrzej Jan Gołota (Template:IPA; born 5 January 1968),<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> best known as Andrew Golota, is a Polish former professional boxer who competed from 1992 to 2013. He challenged four times for a heavyweight world title (by all four major sanctioning bodies), and as an amateur won a bronze medal in the heavyweight division at the 1988 Olympics. Despite his accomplishments and more than 40 professional wins, Golota is perhaps best known for twice being disqualified against Riddick Bowe for repeated low blows in fights that Golota was winning. On October 4, 1997, he became the first Pole to challenge for a heavyweight boxing crown when he fought WBC champion Lennox Lewis at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. He had a bout with Mike Tyson in 2000, which he first withdrew from, but afterward was ruled no-contest. In November 2016, Golota was inducted into the Illinois Boxing Hall of Fame.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

Amateur career

The Warsaw-born, Golota had 111 wins and 10 losses in an amateur career that culminated in his winning a bronze medal at the 1988 Summer Olympics. Golota won other international amateur tournaments as well.

In 1990, he got into a fight with a machinist "about half a foot and 50 pounds smaller" in a bar in Poland. Facing charges of assault and battery, he fled rather than risk five years in prison. <ref>"Down and Dirty", sportsillustrated.cnn.com; retrieved 8 March 2015.</ref> Later that year, he married an American citizen of Polish descent and settled in Chicago.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Gołota's Olympic results were as follows:

• 1st round bye
• Defeated Svilen Rusinov (Bulgaria) 5-0
• Defeated Harold Obunga (Kenya) 5-0
• Lost to Baik Hyun-Man (South Korea) RSC 2

Professional career

In 1992, Golota turned professional, knocking out Roosevelt Shuler in three rounds. He had three more knockouts and then went the distance for the first time, defeating Robert Smith in six rounds. He won his next 16 fights by knockout. His wins included Bobby Crabtree and Jeff Lampkin. Following his KO of Crabtree he was featured in Ring Magazine's new faces section. Soon after, he faced a respected contender, Maron Wilson. Golota won a ten-round decision. He won his next five bouts by knockout. His opponents included Samson Po'uha and Darnell Nicholson, both of whom were considered fringe contenders at the time. The win over Po'uha was memorable for the moment in which Gołota bit Po'uha on the side of the neck, two years before the bite-including rematch between Evander Holyfield and Mike Tyson.<ref>BraggingRightsCorner.com Template:Webarchive; accessed 8 March 2015.</ref>

Golota vs. Bowe I & II

Template:BLP unreferenced section Template:Main article Golota's first high-profile fight came against former heavyweight champion Riddick Bowe. Bowe had not fought in nearly a year since his third and final fight with Evander Holyfield, which he won by technical knockout in the eighth round, and had said regarding his opponent, "how do you train for a bum?", paying no attention to his opponent's win–loss record. The fight was held at Madison Square Garden on 11 July 1996, and was televised by HBO as part of its World Championship Boxing series.

Early in the fight it appeared that Bowe had underestimated his opponent's skills. However, Golota's penchant for not following the rules was also showcased in this fight as he took to striking Bowe in the testes. After being repeatedly warned, referee Wayne Kelly began deducting points from Golota and had done so twice prior to the seventh round. Early in that round, Kelly took a third point from Golota for punching Bowe in the testes, and warned him that if he did it again, he was going to lose the fight. Golota continued to fight and with less than a minute left in the round landed several hard shots that appeared to have Bowe staggered. However, with 37 seconds remaining in the round Golota dropped Bowe with another punch directly to the testes, and Kelly disqualified him. What ensued was a dramatic riot that left a large number of civilians and policemen injured, including Gołota himself, who was hit by a member of Bowe's entourage with a two-way radio and required eleven stitches to close a cut on his head. The riot, which has been named "Riot at the Garden", was called Event of the Year by Ring Magazine.

The controversy of Golota vs. Bowe I created interest in a rematch, which was held in Atlantic City, New Jersey on December 14, 1996. Golota vs. Bowe II was on Pay Per View and Gołota once again led Bowe on the scorecards only to be disqualified in the ninth round by referee Eddie Cotton, again for multiple shots to Bowe's testes. This fight also proved to be controversial, and a protest was filed by Gołota's camp to try to overturn the fight's result. Michael Katz, a sportswriter, coined the term Foul Pole for Gołota. Both fights are featured on HBO's documentary Legendary Nights The Tale of Bowe Golota. Template:Citation needed

Championship fight with Lewis

Template:Main article Despite two losses in a row, Gołota became the WBC number one contender. On 4 October 1997, he received a shot at the world's Heavyweight championship against Lennox Lewis in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Gołota was knocked out in the first round.

Gołota subsequently claimed that an injection of lidocaine for tendonitis in his right knee given to him by his physician shortly before the fight made him woozy and impaired his vision. The adverse effects of lidocaine include dizziness, blurred vision, seizures. As a result, he filed a medical malpractice suit against his physician, claiming that the injection had cost him the fight and a deal with HBO for $21 million to broadcast his next four to five fights.<ref>Ackert, Kristie, "Golata Sues Own Doctor Over Shot" Template:Dead link, nydailynews.com; accessed 8 March 2015.</ref><ref>"Golota Says Injection Made Him Feel Woosy", The New York Times; accessed 8 March 2015.</ref>

Later career

Template:BLP one source Template:Main article Gołota's boxing career continued with his beating former 2-time world champion Tim Witherspoon by decision. In his next match, he lost to Michael Grant by a knockout in the tenth round in one of The Ring's 1999 fights of the year. Gołota scored two knockdowns of Grant in the first round. He was ahead on all three judges' scorecards in the tenth round when he himself was knocked down. When asked by referee Randy Neuman whether he wanted to continue, he shook his head twice and then haltingly answered "No".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In 2000, Gołota fought in China beating Marcus Rhodes with a third-round knockout. Later in 2000, he faced former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson. Tyson knocked Golota down in the first round, and in between rounds Golota told his corner to stop the fight but his corner talked him into continuing. In the third round, as he had done in the Grant match, Gołota told the referee he did not want to continue, despite his team desperately urging him on. He later claimed a headbutt impaired him during the fight, which was one of his main reasons for deciding not to continue. The result of the fight was later changed to no contest when Tyson failed a post fight drug test, testing positive for marijuana. Following the Tyson fight, Gołota was inactive for nearly three years before returning to the ring on 14 August 2003. He scored a technical knockout of journeyman Brian Nix in the seventh round. On November 15, Golota knocked out Terrence Lewis in the sixth round at Verona, New York.

Later World title shots

Template:Main article Gołota then received a second world title shot, fighting IBF heavyweight champion Chris Byrd at New York City's Madison Square Garden on 17 April 2004. The fight resulted in a draw.

On 13 November 2004, Gołota received his second world title shot in a row. Despite knocking down WBA champion John Ruiz twice within the bout, he lost by unanimous decision.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Golota received his third world title try in a row on 21 May 2005 against WBO champion Lamon Brewster. Though heavily favored to win, Gołota lost when Brewster knocked him down three times inside the first round, prompting the referee to stop the bout. On 9 June 2007, he beat Jeremy Bates in the 2nd round by technical knockout. Gołota fought Kevin McBride on October 6, 2007 in Madison Square Garden and won by TKO in the 6th round, winning the inaugural IBF North American Heavyweight championship.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

On 19 January 2008, Gołota defeated Mike Mollo by unanimous decision in 12 rounds to win the World Boxing Association Fedelatin heavyweight championship belt. In January, 2009, Gołota lost by first-round TKO to Ray Austin. On 24 October 2009 in Łódź, Gołota fought Tomasz Adamek and lost by TKO in the 5th round. The event was hosted on Polsat TV, it was also broadcast live online on ipla.tv platform. It was the largest live internet transmission in Poland. Template:Citation needed

Professional boxing record

Template:Abbr	Result	Record	Opponent	Type	Round, time	Date	Location	Notes
52	Template:No2Loss	Template:Nowrap	Przemysław Saleta	KO	6 (10), Template:Small	23 Feb 2013	Template:Small
51	Template:No2Loss	41–8–1 Template:Small	Tomasz Adamek	TKO	5 (10), Template:Small	24 Oct 2009	Template:Small	Template:Small
50	Template:No2Loss	41–7–1 Template:Small	Ray Austin	RTD	1 (12), Template:Small	7 Nov 2008	Template:Small	Template:Small
49	Template:Yes2Win	41–6–1 Template:Small	Mike Mollo	UD	12	19 Jan 2008	Template:Small	Template:Small
48	Template:Yes2Win	40–6–1 Template:Small	Kevin McBride	TKO	6 (12), Template:Small	6 Oct 2007	Template:Small	Template:Small
47	Template:Yes2Win	39–6–1 Template:Small	Jeremy Bates	TKO	2 (10), Template:Small	9 Jun 2007	Template:Small
46	Template:No2Loss	38–6–1 Template:Small	Lamon Brewster	TKO	1 (12), Template:Small	21 May 2005	Template:Small	Template:Small
45	Template:No2Loss	38–5–1 Template:Small	John Ruiz	UD	12	13 Nov 2004	Template:Small	Template:Small
44	Template:DrawDraw	38–4–1 Template:Small	Chris Byrd	Template:Abbr	12	17 Apr 2004	Template:Small	Template:Small
43	Template:Yes2Win	38–4 Template:Small	Terrence Lewis	TKO	6 (10), Template:Small	14 Nov 2003	Template:Small
42	Template:Yes2Win	37–4 Template:Small	Brian Nix	TKO	7 (10), Template:Small	14 Aug 2003	Template:Small
41	Template:Abbr	36–4 Template:Small	Mike Tyson	RTD	3 (10), Template:Small	20 Oct 2000	Template:Small	Template:Small
40	Template:Yes2Win	36–4	Orlin Norris	UD	10	16 Jun 2000	Template:Small
39	Template:Yes2Win	35–4	Marcus Rhode	TKO	3 (10), Template:Small	22 Apr 2000	Template:Small
38	Template:No2Loss	34–4	Michael Grant	TKO	10 (12), Template:Small	20 Nov 1999	Template:Small	Template:Small
37	Template:Yes2Win	34–3	Quinn Navarre	TKO	6 (10)	26 Jun 1999	Template:Small
36	Template:Yes2Win	33–3	Jesse Ferguson	UD	10	30 Jan 1999	Template:Small
35	Template:Yes2Win	32–3	Tim Witherspoon	UD	10	2 Oct 1998	Template:Small
34	Template:Yes2Win	31–3	Corey Sanders	UD	10	21 Jul 1998	Template:Small
33	Template:Yes2Win	30–3	Jack Basting	TKO	3 (10), Template:Small	8 May 1998	Template:Small
32	Template:Yes2Win	29–3	Eli Dixon	KO	6 (10), Template:Small	14 Apr 1998	Template:Small
31	Template:No2Loss	28–3	Lennox Lewis	KO	1 (12), Template:Small	4 Oct 1997	Template:Small	Template:Small
30	Template:No2Loss	28–2	Riddick Bowe	DQ	9 (10), Template:Small	14 Dec 1996	Template:Small	Template:Small
29	Template:No2Loss	28–1	Riddick Bowe	Template:Abbr	7 (12), Template:Small	11 Jul 1996	Template:Small	Template:Small
28	Template:Yes2Win	28–0	Danell Nicholson	RTD	8 (10), Template:Small	15 Mar 1996	Template:Small
27	Template:Yes2Win	27–0	Charles Hostetter	TKO	2 (10), Template:Small	30 Jan 1996	Template:Small
26	Template:Yes2Win	26–0	Jason Waller	TKO	2 (10)	18 Nov 1995	Template:Small
25	Template:Yes2Win	25–0	West Turner	TKO	1 (8), Template:Small	26 Aug 1995	Template:Small
24	Template:Yes2Win	24–0	Samson Po'uha	TKO	5 (10), Template:Small	16 May 1995	Template:Small
23	Template:Yes2Win	23–0	Marion Wilson	Template:Abbr	10	11 Apr 1995	Template:Small
22	Template:Yes2Win	22–0	Dwayne Hall	TKO	1 (8)	26 Jan 1995	Template:Small
21	Template:Yes2Win	21–0	Darren Hayden	TKO	7 (10), Template:Small	1 Nov 1994	Template:Small
20	Template:Yes2Win	20–0	Jeff Lampkin	Template:Abbr	1 (10), Template:Small	13 Aug 1994	Template:Small
19	Template:Yes2Win	19–0	Jesse Shelby	TKO	2 (8), Template:Small	18 Jun 1994	Template:Small
18	Template:Yes2Win	18–0	Terry Davis	TKO	1 (10), Template:Small	6 May 1994	Template:Small
17	Template:Yes2Win	17–0	Larry Davis	KO	1 (8)	16 Mar 1994	Template:Small
16	Template:Yes2Win	16–0	Donnell Wingfield	TKO	1 (8)	14 Jan 1994	Template:Small
15	Template:Yes2Win	15–0	Calvin Jones	TKO	2 (6)	23 Nov 1993	Template:Small
14	Template:Yes2Win	14–0	Andre Smith	KO	1 (8), Template:Small	4 Sep 1993	Template:Small
13	Template:Yes2Win	13–0	Marion Wilson	PTS	8	10 Jul 1993	Template:Small
12	Template:Yes2Win	12–0	Carlton West	TKO	2 (8)	22 Jun 1993	Template:Small
11	Template:Yes2Win	11–0	Kevin P. Porter	KO	3 (6)	15 May 1993	Template:Small
10	Template:Yes2Win	10–0	Bobby Crabtree	TKO	2 (10), Template:Small	26 Mar 1993	Template:Small
9	Template:Yes2Win	9–0	Andre Crowder	TKO	1 (6)	5 Feb 1993	Template:Small
8	Template:Yes2Win	8–0	Eddie Taylor	TKO	1 (8), Template:Small	5 Dec 1992	Template:Small
7	Template:Yes2Win	7–0	Aaron Brown	TKO	2 (6)	3 Oct 1992	Template:Small
6	Template:Yes2Win	6–0	James Holly	KO	1 (6)	28 Aug 1992	Template:Small
5	Template:Yes2Win	5–0	Robert Smith	Template:Abbr	6	24 Jul 1992	Template:Small
4	Template:Yes2Win	4–0	Joey Christjohn	TKO	1 (6)	20 Jun 1992	Template:Small
3	Template:Yes2Win	3–0	Charles Presswood	KO	1 (4)	27 Mar 1992	Template:Small
2	Template:Yes2Win	2–0	Joe Jones	Template:Abbr	1 (4), Template:Small	28 Feb 1992	Template:Small
1	Template:Yes2Win	1–0	Roosevelt Shuler	Template:Abbr	3 (4)	7 Feb 1992	Template:Small

Television viewership

Poland

Date	Fight	Viewership (Template:Abbr)	Network	Source(s)
Template:Center	Andrew Golota vs. Tim Witherspoon	Template:Center	Polsat	<ref name=golota-witherspoon-tv>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=golota-witherspoon-tv-2>Template:Cite web</ref>
Template:Center	Chris Byrd vs. Andrew Golota	Template:Center	TVN	<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
Template:Center	Andrew Golota vs. Tomasz Adamek	Template:Center	Polsat	<ref name=golota-adamek-tv>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=golota-adamek-tv-2>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=golota-adamek-tv-3>Template:Cite web</ref>
	Total viewership	21,999,000 – 26,809,000

Pay-per-view bouts

Date	Fight	Pay-per-view buys	Network	Source(s)
Template:Center	Andrew Golota vs. Przemysław Saleta	Template:Center	Cyfra+ PPV	<ref name=golota-saleta-ppv>Template:Cite web</ref>
	Total sales	120,000	Cyfra+ PPV

United States

Pay-per-view bouts

Date	Fight	Pay-per-view buys	Network	Source(s)
Template:Center	Lennox Lewis vs. Andrew Golota	Template:Center	HBO PPV	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Template:Center	Mike Tyson vs. Andrew Golota	Template:Center	Showtime PPV	<ref name="Yahoo Sports 7170256">Template:Cite news</ref>
Template:Dts	Chris Byrd vs. Andrew Golota	Template:Center	Spike TV/King Vision	<ref>Where are the new heavyweights? By Dan Rafael, USA TODAY</ref><ref>2004-04-17 Chris Byrd vs Andrew Golota - IBF World Heavyweight Title</ref>
Template:Dts	John Ruiz vs. Andrew Golota	Template:Center	HBO PPV	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
	Total sales	945,000

Other

Golota took part in Census 2010 commercials, recorded in Polish and English. In 2010, he appeared in the Polish edition of Dancing with the Stars (Taniec z Gwiazdami) with partner Magdalena Soszyńska-Michno. In his first appearance he danced the waltz. He was eliminated on 7 November 2010, at the quarter final stage and he finished in 5th place. Template:Citation needed He has also participated in Polish version of The Mole (Agent - Gwiazdy), he has been eliminated and finished in eighth place.

External links

• Template:BoxRec
• Template:Olympics.com profile
• Template:Olympedia
• Template:PKOl profile