When Dariusz Michalczewski stepped into the ring against Julio Cesar Gonzalez on October 18, 2003, he had a legendary record in mind. But instead of making history, the “Tiger” loses his light heavyweight world title in Hamburg. 20 years later, Michalczewski hasn’t lost any thorns – but he still can’t understand the defeat.
49 fights, 49 victories: The brand of the legendary heavyweight champion Rocky Marciano is omnipresent on October 18, 2003 in the Hamburg “Color Line Arena”. 15,000 spectators are there – hoping to be eyewitnesses when Dariusz Michalczewski writes boxing history.
The “Tiger” is just one win away from ending the magical, almost mythical Marciano series. His challenger for the WBO title, which Michalczewski has held since 1994, is anything but a way station to the record. Julio Cesar Gonzalez is in the top three of all major world associations and was in 2001 with the great Roy Jones Jr. at least went the full distance. The Mexican has seven years less under his belt than the 35-year-old defending champion and is also five centimeters taller – and much fresher.
Michalczewski’s bones, however, contain many battles. The hoped-for fight against Jones Jr. He never got it, but instead steamrolled dozens of challengers for his WBO crown in brutal battles of attrition. The “Tiger” has claimed his belt 23 times. Number 24 wouldn’t just statistically put him on a par with the real Rocky. The record of 25 title defenses held by the no less iconic Joe Louis would suddenly be very close.
But it’s autumn in Hamburg, and that also applies to Michalczewski. “Take two to give one” – for years the offensive boxer, like Marciano, followed this risky style. It was enough until the end because the opponents eventually gave in under the relentless pressure of the “Tiger” and his left leading hand, even if they in turn mistreated the champion.
When the gong struck on October 18th, it was no longer enough for Michalczewski. The world champion must pay tribute to his wild life in the ring. Gonzalez uses his much greater reach, counters the “Tiger” again and again, and lands many “simple” hits. These bounce off the record hunter as usual, but Michalczewski doesn’t hit enough himself. From the second round onwards he was also affected by a wound above his eye, which was torn open by an accidental headbutt from his challenger. In short: it just doesn’t work.
Boxing: Michalczewski “shouldn’t have lost” to Gonzalez
The “tiger” continues to march, even as the blood flows in streams down his battered body. But too rarely does Michalczewski manage to dictate the fight with his jab and pin Gonzalez in the corner. In the fourth, the old big cat flashes briefly and lands a volley on the Mexican’s head. The hall is raging, then soon falls silent again.
“You have to do more!” Michalczewski’s promoter Klaus-Peter Kohl shouts desperately from the front row in the final laps. Fritz Szdunek’s protégé provides more material. It is by no means a one-sided fight. But the fact remains: Gonzalez scores more often.
After twelve rounds, Michalczewski stands exhausted on the ring ropes, looking up pleadingly as the verdict is announced: two judges score for the guest, one has the audience favorite in front. Defeat by “split decision”, the first in Michalczewski’s career (although Graciano Rocchigiani had already given him a certain feeling of loser in 1996).
“It’s just sport. You shouldn’t be sad,” says Michalczewski, who finally hung up his boxing gloves in 2005 after another defeat. And he’s still not sad to this day. 20 years after his disempowerment, Michalczewski runs two fitness studios in his hometown of Gdansk, supports young athletes with his foundation and is involved in the sales of the “Tiger Energy Drink”, which is drunk in Poland like Red Bull.
But Michalczewski didn’t fully digest October 18, 2003. He “actually” won the duel with Gonzalez, the “Tiger” recently criticized the point decision in “BOXSPORT” magazine. “As a world champion and home boxer, I shouldn’t have lost a fight like that.”
Martin Armbruster