Phil D. Jay
WBN Editor
WBN Editor
Recently retired fighter may box on…for now
Pawel Wolak has explained to WBN what his plans are for 2012
after announcing his retirement following his loss to rival Delvin Rodriguez in
December at Madison Square Garden.
The 31 year-old is currently intent on beginning training
for a career in Mixed Martial Arts, although the ‘Raging Bull’ is still
contracted to previous employers Top Rank until October this year and could be
set for one last fight before swapping the prizefighting ring for the octagon.
“There are basically three options,” Wolak told World Boxing
News.
“Top Rank accepts my request to let me out of my contract
early and I go into MMA and have my first fight this summer or Top Rank asks me
to fulfil my contract obligations and gives me an opponent and opportunity that
makes sense and I will honour my contract.
"The third option is Top Rank asks me to fulfil my contract
obligations and gives me something that makes no sense and in that case I would
decline and just train for MMA until the contract expires in October."
The Polish-born American has admitted he has become disillusioned
with the sport of boxing and needs a fresh challenge to re-ignite his appetite.
His last performance against Rodriguez was definitely not the Wolak we all know
and he believes that the time is right to step away from professional boxing.
“The biggest issue for me right now in boxing is that
nobody, whether it’s me, Vanes (Martirosyan), (James) Kirkland, Delvin
(Rodriguez), Paul Williams and a bunch of other really solid fighters who
deserve the opportunity in 154 are not being given the opportunity to get
titles,” explained Wolak.
“So why do it if you can’t get a chance at the grand prize?
Canelo is fighting Mosley, Cotto against Floyd and the IBF seems to recognize
only three guys in Bundrage, Powell and Spinks.
“So it is tough to come back knowing that and wondering what
would be next if I win the next fight against a good fighter as these champions
aren’t being forced to fight real 154 contenders and there are a lot of them.
“If I commit to something in boxing I would be 1000%
dedicated. I have not fought my last 2 fights as well as I expect myself to and
while there were some personal issues outside the ring during my second fight
with Delvin (every guy has those), I won’t make excuses as Delvin beat me by
fighting smart and very well.
“I just don't know if it would be a one and done if I came
back or I would keep going no matter if I win or lose based on what I said
earlier about guys’ not getting shots at the title as well as my interest in
MMA.
“After all, my background is as a successful kickboxer and
wrestler. You could tell that just by watching me box and how square I get
sometimes which is wrestling 101 and a no no in boxing.”