Mariusz Wach

Mariusz Wach (Polish pronunciation: [ˈmariuʂ ˈvax]; born 14 December 1979) is a Polish professional boxer and world heavyweight title challenger. He is a former WBC International heavyweight champion and is best known for his 2012 world title challenge against Wladimir Klitschko, in which he lost a twelve-round decision.

Mariusz Wach was born 14 December 1979 in Krakow, Poland. He emigrated to North Bergen, New Jersey.

Wach was born in Kraków, Poland. He first became acquainted with boxing in 1990, amassing a 90-fight amateur career that saw him represent his native Poland in numerous amateur tournaments. Among his greatest achievements during that period were winning two gold medals and a bronze in the Individual Polish Championships and a silver in the 2004 European Union Championships. Wach later represented Poland in the 2004 Summer Olympics as an alternate.

Early years

Wach turned pro in April 2005 and defeated Deniss Melniks by first round knockout in Świebodzice, Poland. He made his American debut in January 2006 by defeating Adele Olakanye by decision on the undercard of Arturo Gatti’s destruction of Thomas Damgaard at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, NJ. Wach won seven fights that year, including five in America which was highlighted by winning the Polish International heavyweight title by a ninth round knockout of Arthur Cook in Illinois. A few months later he won a belt in TWBA federation. On April 2009 in Jaroslaw, Poland Wach blasted out his American opponent Julius Long and defended his title of the World Champion in TWBA. Mariusz has also served as a sparring partner for several well-known boxers, including former heavyweight champion Samuel Peter. In 2010, after being sidelined for a year due to injury, Wach returned to the ring in great shape and turned in one of his best performances as a professional, knocking out Christian Hammer in six rounds in Germany.

Current

In September 2010, Wach was invited by Mariusz Kolodziej, CEO of Global Boxing Promotions, to move to the United States and train at Global Boxing Gym in North Bergen, NJ. Under the guidance of former heavyweight champion Michael Moorer, Wach began his 2-month training camp in preparation for his matchup with Jonathan Haggler. In his first fight of 2011 – against Haggler in Newark, NJ – Wach scored a third round knockout to win the WBC Baltic heavyweight title. After this fight, Wach signed a promotional agreement with Mariusz Kolodziej of Global Boxing Promotions and Jimmy Burchfield of CES.

Wach’s first big test came in July 2011, when he faced off with Kevin McBride, who ended Mike Tyson’s career as a boxer. Wach was quicker and sharper, and with one right cross, knocked McBride out cold in the fourth round winning the WBC International heavyweight title.

Wach returned to the Mohegan Sun Arena just four months later with another statement-making performance, this time knocking out Jason Gavern in six rounds at the "November Reign" event.

On 24 March Wach showed that he is a force to be reckoned with after scoring a six-round TKO over another giant, Tye Fields (49–5, 44 KOS). The event took place at the Resorts Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey and got coverage form ESPN's Friday Night Fights.

Fight for world title

Wach fought Heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko on 10 November 2012, in Hamburg, Germany. 32-year-old Wach was the fourth Polish contender in history to try to win the world title in the heavyweight division. Wach said at the weigh-in "My fellow countrymen Adamek and Sosnowski did not have what it takes to beat a Klitschko. I am not a former cruiserweight (like Adamek) but a real heavyweight. Klitschko will take a lot of hard punches before I knock him out. I will be the first Polish world heavyweight champion." Wach went the distance, losing the fight by judges' decision (120–107, 120–107 and 119–109). He did manage to land a huge right hand to Klitschko's jaw in the last twenty seconds of the 5th round that temporarily stunned Klitschko, but was not able to knock his opponent down.

Failed drug test

Wach failed a doping test after losing a world heavyweight title fight against Wladimir Klitschko. He admitted to doping in bout against Klitschko and is now awaiting sanctions from the Federation of German Professional Boxing, but said that he plans to continue his career no matter how harsh the penalties are.