Warsaw native stops McBride in Madison Square Garden slugfest
By Mike Indri
Retired Boxers Foundation
October 6th, 2007

New York - Fighting for only the second time in close to twenty-nine months, Polish heavyweight contender Andrew Golota admirably battled his way to a sixth round technical knockout victory against 288 lb. Kevin McBride Saturday night at the Mecca of Boxing, Madison Square Garden.

McBride, of Brockton, Mass., by way of Clones, Ireland and to be forever known as the man that hammered the notorious, and once lethal, former undisputed heavyweight world champion Mike Tyson into retirement (06/11/2005), started off well and caught Golota with several big right hands that wobbled the "Powerful Pole". Fighting toe-to-toe and going punch for punch, a huge McBride left sent Golota's mouthpiece flying, yet the fighter best remembered for low blows, biting and quitting in the ring stood fast and courageously made it out of the first round on his feet.

Golota, an unprecedented seven time Polish national amateur champion and a bronze medallist at the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, came out in round two throwing a pounding jab and thrilled the vast number of "Golota faithful" scattered throughout the arena with a profound boxing display. The more punishment Golota dished out, the more boisterous the proud legion became, waving their banners and flags, turning the Garden a sea of delirious white and red!

Picking the giant Irishman apart, Golota took control of the thunderous bout and had McBride, whose record fell to 34-6-1 (29 KO's), busted up, gasping for air and bleeding around both eyes at the start of the fateful sixth round.

Having won the four rounds following the first stanza on all three judges scorecards, Golota smelt victory and wanted to close the show. Desperate and hurting, McBride summoned up all he had left in the tank and drove Golota back onto the ropes with two stunning headshots which momentarily slowed down the thirty-nine year old Chicago resident. To his credit Golota withstood the attack and loaded up on a sledgehammer left hand which bludgeoned the already badly damaged face of McBride, who absorbed several more unanswered shots before referee Arthur Mercante rightly stepped in and ended the carnage at the 2:42 mark in round six of the scheduled twelve round bout. Golota, who came into the fight a fit and solid 241 lbs. looked and fought better than he has in years and impressed the crowd with his strength, boxing prowess and tenacity.

The out-skilled McBride, who was not in the condition to withstand the barrage put forth by his championship minded opponent, put a commendable effort forth. Golota, who improved to 40-6-1 (33 KO's), surprised many by his proficient and professional approach to this fight. Returning to boxing simply for the chance to again challenge for the championship, Andrew Golota showed himself worthy, and ready, for that opportunity.

At the post fight press conference an extremely excited Don King spoke about his rejuvenated fighter.

"We all saw the new Andrew Golota tonight. He looked like he was thirty years old", stated the promoter extraordinaire. "Jabs, combinations, wow! He (Golota) was the best fighter on the card tonight."

While the Golota - McBride duel was definitely the "fight of the night" on the Don King, in association with Duva Boxing, promoted "Faith, Hope and Glory" fightcard, the Main Event featured World Boxing Council Interim Champion Samuel Peter taking on Jameel "Big Time" McCline. Surviving a knockdown late in round two, as well as two debilitating knockdowns in round three, Peter unbelievably managed to survive the onslaught and pull out a twelve round unanimous decision. McCline, now 38-8-3 (23 KO's), can only blame himself for not leaving the ring with Peter's WBC belt.

A loser in his prior three championship chances, (TKO Rd 10 vs. Wladimir Klitschko in 2002, a debatable split decision loss to Chris Byrd in 2004 and TKO Rd 3 vs. Nicolay Valuev-due to a serious knee injury rendering McCline unable to continue), McCline fought for close to five minutes as the 6 foot 6 inch, 266 lb monster that he is; the result was the three knockdowns and coming a punch or two short of winning a world title. Unfortunately, Jameel McCline, one of the nicest people in boxing, fought the rest of the fight like a five foot 6 inch fighter, and for that all he has to show for it is a regrettable loss on his record.

As McCline exposed Peter, this fight might have proved that Samuel Peter really is not as good as the so-called experts say, and that Jameel McCline is not that bad.