Earlier today at the Universal Boxing Gym in Ozone Park, NY, heavyweight contender Vinny Maddalone (33-6, 24KO’s) participated in an open media workout in anticipation of his upcoming title fight against Tomasz Adamek (42-1, 27KO’s) on Thursday, December 9th at Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. Adamek-Maddalone is headlining the latest edition of the Brick City Boxing Series and is promoted by Main Events and Ziggy Promotions, in association with Star Boxing. At stake will be Adamek’s IBF International and WBO NABO Heavyweight Titles.
Maddalone started the workout with some stretching and light shadow boxing before lacing up the gloves and doing ten hard rounds of mitt work, splitting the time with head trainer Nirmal Lorick, and assistant trainers Moises Roman Jr. (owner of Universal Boxing Gym) and Willie Vargas.
Maddalone worked mostly on his speed and combinations with Lorick, worked on cutting the ring off and using his jab with Roman, and finished by working on his inside fighting and bodywork with Vargas.
(Writers note: Lorick used the same tiny mitts that Adamek’s trainer Roger Bloodworth was seen using in a video posted on fightnews today, where Bloodworth stated, “Not many heavyweights can use this – maybe one more.”)
While Maddalone was shaking out head trainer Nirmal Lorick talked about some of the things he has been working on with Maddalone.
Nirmal Lorick: We aren’t trying to completely change Vinny, we are just trying to work and fine tune some things he needed improvement on. We have spent a lot of time with him on his footwork and making sure he is more balanced when he throws his punches so that he is able to get off combinations. By improving his footwork and foot speed it is going to improve his hand speed. We have been working on getting him up on his toes, because he can’t be flat-footed in this fight. We have been working really hard and I am very happy with his progress. We are expecting a very tough fight come December 9th, but we will be ready.
After the workout, Maddalone sat down to talk about his training camp and upcoming fight.
On his training camp: I feel great, this is the best training camp I have had in my entire career. Everything has been great and coming right along. My weight is where I want it to be, and I feel very strong. I have had tons of sparring in this camp and it’s really showing off. I have really enjoyed working with Nirmal, he has me working really hard and from day one he has told me he doesn’t want to change me from being a pressure fighter, he wants me to apply a lot of pressure in this fight, but smart pressure. He has me working off my jab and focusing on my footwork and making sure I keep myself balanced. I’m not telling you that you are going to see a brand new Vinny Maddalone come December 9th, but you will definitely see some different things out of me, and I believe these things are what are going to propel me to victory.
On his game plan for Adamek: I am going to start fast, and like I said earlier, I want to put a lot of pressure on him, but smart pressure. Adamek is a high intensity fighter who throws a lot of punches, I plan on matching that. We are expecting him to move a lot and box from the outside, but if he decides he wants to turn it into a slugfest, then great, I’ll be right there with him.
On landing the fight with Adamek: I am very grateful that I got this fight against Adamek. I have worked so hard throughout my entire career to get a shot at the title, and a win over Adamek puts me right there. I was ecstatic when Joe (Joe DeGuardia, CEO and President of Star Boxing) called me about this fight. It’s not like promoter and boxer with Joe, we are like family. I started my career with him, and I am going to finish it with him, and hopefully we can pick up one of these championship belts before that time comes.
On being the underdog in this fight: I know I am the underdog and that is fine with him. I have been the underdog throughout much of my career. It motivates me, it pushes me in my training. I know I am going to be entering into very hostile territory come fight night, I know I am going up against the sea of red and white, but I know by the end of the fight, there are going to be more than a few of those Polish fans that turn into Vinny Maddalone fans. It’s going to be a great and exciting night, I can’t wait.
