Andrew Golota


Andrzej Jan Gołota, best known as Andrew Golota, is a Polish former professional boxer who competed from 1992 to 2013. He challenged four times for a heavyweight world title, and as an amateur won a bronze medal in the heavyweight division at the 1988 Olympics. Despite his accomplishments and more than 40 professional wins, Golota is best known for twice being disqualified against Riddick Bowe for low blows in fights that he appeared to be winning.

Amateur career

The Warsaw-born Golota had 111 wins in an amateur career that culminated in his winning a bronze medal at the 1988 Summer Olympics. Golota won other international amateur tournaments as well.
In 1990, he got into a fight with Piotr Białostocki in a bar in Poland. Facing charges of assault and battery, he fled rather than risk five years in prison. Later that year, he married an American citizen of Polish descent and settled in Chicago.
Gołota's Olympic results were as follows:
In 1992, he turned professional, knocking out Roosevelt Shuler in three rounds. He had three more knockouts and then went the distance for the first time, defeating Robert Smith in six rounds. He won his next 16 fights by knockout. His wins included Bobby Crabtree and Jeff Lampkin. Following his KO of Crabtree he was featured in Ring Magazine's new faces section. Soon after, he faced a respected contender, Maron Wilson. Golota won a ten-round decision. He won his next five bouts by knockout. His opponents included Samson Po'hua and Darnell Nicholson, both of whom were considered fringe contenders at the time. The win over Po'hua was memorable for the moment in which Gołota bit Po'hua on the side of the neck, two years before the bite-including rematch between Evander Holyfield and Mike Tyson.

Golota vs. Bowe I & II

Golota's first high-profile fight came against former heavyweight champion Riddick Bowe. Bowe had not fought in nearly a year since his third and final fight with Evander Holyfield, which he won by technical knockout in the eighth round, and had said regarding his opponent, "how do you train for a bum?", paying no attention to his opponent's win-loss record. The fight was held at Madison Square Garden on 11 July 1996, and was televised by HBO as part of its World Championship Boxing series.
Early in the fight it appeared that Bowe had underestimated his opponent's skills. However, Golota's penchant for not following the rules was also showcased in this fight as he had trouble keeping his punches above Bowe's belt line. After being repeatedly warned, referee Wayne Kelly began deducting points from Golota and had done so twice prior to the seventh round. Early in that round Kelly took a third point from Golota and warned him that if he did it again, he was going to lose the fight. Golota continued to fight and with less than a minute left in the round landed several hard shots that appeared to have Bowe staggered. However, with 37 seconds remaining in the round Golota dropped Bowe with another blatant low punch, directly to the genitals, and Kelly disqualified him. What ensued was a dramatic riot that left a large number of civilians and policemen injured, including Gołota himself, who was hit by a member of Bowe's entourage with a two-way radio and required eleven stitches to close a cut on his head. The riot, which has been named "Riot at the Garden", was called Event of the Year by Ring Magazine.
The controversy of Golota vs. Bowe I created interest in a rematch. Golota vs. Bowe II was on Pay Per View and Gołota once again led Bowe on the scorecards only to be disqualified in the ninth round by referee Eddie Cotton, again for multiple low blows. This fight also proved to be controversial, and a protest was filed by Gołota's camp to try to overturn the fight's result. Michael Katz, a sportswriter, coined the term Foul Pole for Gołota. Both fights are featured on HBO's documentary Legendary Nights The Tale of Bowe Golota.

Championship fight with Lewis

Despite two losses in a row, Gołota became the WBC number one contender. On 4 October 1997, he received a shot at the world's Heavyweight championship against Lennox Lewis in Atlantic City, NJ. Gołota was knocked out in the first round.
Gołota subsequently claimed that an injection of lidocaine for tendonitis in his right knee given to him by his physician shortly before the fight made him woozy and impaired his vision. The adverse effects of lidocaine include dizziness, blurred vision, seizures. As a result, he filed a medical malpractice suit against his physician, claiming that the injection had cost him the fight and a deal with HBO for $21 million to broadcast his next four to five fights.

Later career

Gołota's boxing career continued with his beating former 2-time world champion Tim Witherspoon by decision. In his next match, he lost to Michael Grant by a knockout in the tenth round in one of The Ring's 1999 fights of the year. Gołota scored two knockdowns of Grant in the first round. He was ahead on all three judges' scorecards in the tenth round when he himself was knocked down. When asked by referee Randy Neuman whether he wanted to continue, he shook his head twice and then haltingly answered "No".
In 2000, Gołota fought in China beating Marcus Rhodes with a third-round knockout. Later in 2000, he faced former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson. Tyson knocked Golota down in the first round, and in between rounds Golota told his corner to stop the fight but his corner talked him into continuing. In the third round, as he had done in the Grant match, Gołota told the referee he did not want to continue, despite his team desperately urging him on. He later claimed a headbutt impaired him during the fight, which was one of his main reasons for deciding not to continue. The result of the fight was later changed to no contest when Tyson failed a post fight drug test, testing positive for marijuana. Following the Tyson fight, Gołota was inactive for nearly three years before returning to the ring on 14 August 2003. He scored a technical knockout of journeyman Brian Nix in the seventh round. On November 15, Golota knocked out Terrence Lewis in the sixth round at Verona, New York. Gołota then received a second world title shot, fighting IBF heavyweight champion Chris Byrd at New York City's Madison Square Garden on 17 April 2004. The fight resulted in a draw.
On 13 November 2004, Gołota received his second world title shot in a row. Despite knocking down WBA champion John Ruiz twice within the bout, he lost by unanimous decision.
Golota received his third world title try in a row on 21 May 2005 against WBO champion Lamon Brewster. Though heavily favored to win, Gołota lost when Brewster knocked him down three times inside the first round, prompting the referee to stop the bout. On 9 June 2007, he beat Jeremy Bates in the 2nd round by technical knockout. Gołota fought Kevin McBride on October 6, 2007 in Madison Square Garden and won by TKO in the 6th round, winning the IBF North American Heavyweight championship.
On 19 January 2008, Gołota defeated Mike Mollo by unanimous decision in 12 rounds to win the World Boxing Association Fedelatin heavyweight championship belt. In January, 2009, Gołota lost by first-round TKO to Ray Austin. On 24 October 2009 in Łódź, Gołota fought Tomasz Adamek and lost by TKO in the 5th round. The event was hosted on Polsat TV, it was also broadcast live online on ipla.tv platform. It was the largest live internet transmission in Poland.

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
52Loss41–9–1 Przemysław SaletaKO6, 2:4923 Feb 2013 Ergo Arena, Gdańsk, Poland
51Loss41–8–1 Tomasz AdamekTKO5, 1:2024 Oct 2009 Atlas Arena, Łódź, PolandFor vacant IBF International heavyweight title
50Loss41–7–1 Ray AustinRTD1, 3:007 Nov 2008 Sichuan Gymnasium, Chengdu, ChinaFor vacant WBC–USNBC heavyweight title
49Win41–6–1 Mike MolloUD1219 Jan 2008 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, USWon WBA Fedelatin heavyweight title
48Win40–6–1 Kevin McBrideTKO6, 2:426 Oct 2007 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, USWon vacant IBF North American heavyweight title
47Win39–6–1 Jeremy BatesTKO2, 2:599 Jun 2007 Spodek, Katowice, Poland
46Loss38–6–1 Lamon BrewsterTKO1, 0:5221 May 2005 United Center, Chicago, Illinois, USFor WBO heavyweight title
45Loss38–5–1 John RuizUD1213 Nov 2004 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, USFor WBA heavyweight title
44Draw38–4–1 Chris Byrd1217 Apr 2004 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, USFor IBF heavyweight title
43Win38–4 Terrence LewisTKO6, 1:2514 Nov 2003 Turning Stone Resort Casino, Verona, New York, US
42Win37–4 Brian NixTKO7, 2:4314 Aug 2003 Dover Downs, Dover, Delaware, US
4136–4 Mike TysonRTD3, 3:0020 Oct 2000 The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, USOriginally an RTD win for Tyson, later ruled an NC after he failed a drug test
40Win36–4 Orlin NorrisUD1016 Jun 2000 Mandalay Bay Events Center, Paradise, Nevada, US
39Win35–4 Marcus RhodeTKO3, 2:1922 Apr 2000 Tianhe Stadium, Guangzhou, China
38Loss34–4 Michael GrantTKO10, 1:3120 Nov 1999 Etess Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, USFor NABF heavyweight title
37Win34–3 Quinn NavarreTKO6 26 Jun 1999 Centennial Hall, Wrocław, Poland
36Win33–3 Jesse FergusonUD1030 Jan 1999 Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US
35Win32–3 Tim WitherspoonUD102 Oct 1998 Centennial Hall, Wrocław, Poland
34Win31–3 Corey SandersUD1021 Jul 1998 Etess Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US
33Win30–3 Jack BastingTKO3, 2:098 May 1998 Trump Marina, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US
32Win29–3 Eli DixonKO6, 2:1514 Apr 1998 Foxwoods Resort Casino, Ledyard, Connecticut, US
31Loss28–3 Lennox LewisKO1, 1:354 Oct 1997 Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, USFor WBC heavyweight title
30Loss28–2 Riddick BoweDQ9, 2:5814 Dec 1996 Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, USGolota disqualified for repeated low blows
29Loss28–1 Riddick Bowe7, 2:3711 Jul 1996 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, USGolota disqualified for repeated low blows
28Win28–0 Danell NicholsonRTD8, 3:0015 Mar 1996 Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US
27Win27–0 Charles HostetterTKO2, 2:3630 Jan 1996 Medieval Times, Lyndhurst, New Jersey, US
26Win26–0 Jason WallerTKO2 18 Nov 1995 Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US
25Win25–0 West TurnerTKO1, 0:3926 Aug 1995 Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US
24Win24–0 Samson Po'uhaTKO5, 2:4416 May 1995 Steel Pier, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US
23Win23–0 Marion Wilson1011 Apr 1995 Bismarck Hotel, Chicago, Illinois, US
22Win22–0 Dwayne HallTKO1 26 Jan 1995 Rosemont, Illinois, US
21Win21–0 Darren HaydenTKO7, 3:001 Nov 1994 MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, US
20Win20–0 Jeff Lampkin1, 3:0013 Aug 1994 The Aladdin, Paradise, Nevada, US
19Win19–0 Jesse ShelbyTKO2, 2:5918 Jun 1994 Bismark Hotel, Chicago, Illinois, US
18Win18–0 Terry DavisTKO1, 1:516 May 1994 Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US
17Win17–0 Larry DavisKO1 16 Mar 1994 Bismarck Hotel, Chicago, Illinois, US
16Win16–0 Donnell WingfieldTKO1 14 Jan 1994 Carmel High School, Chicago, Illinois, US
15Win15–0 Calvin JonesTKO2 23 Nov 1993 Hyatt Regency O'Hare, Rosemont, Illinois, US
14Win14–0 Andre SmithKO1, 2:594 Sep 1993 The Aladdin, Paradise, Nevada, US
13Win13–0 Marion WilsonPTS810 Jul 1993 Fernwood Resort, Bushkill, Pennsylvania, US
12Win12–0 Carlton WestTKO2 22 Jun 1993 Trump Taj Mahal, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US
11Win11–0 Kevin P. PorterKO3 15 May 1993 The Eagles Ballroom, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, US
10Win10–0 Bobby CrabtreeTKO2, 1:1426 Mar 1993 Union Hall, Countryside, Illinois, US
9Win9–0 Andre CrowderTKO1 5 Feb 1993 The Eagles Ballroom, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, US
8Win8–0 Eddie TaylorTKO1, 2:495 Dec 1992 Expo Center, Dolton, Illinois, US
7Win7–0 Aaron BrownTKO2 3 Oct 1992 St. Andrews Gym, Chicago, Illinois, US
6Win6–0 James HollyKO1 28 Aug 1992 Union Hall, Countryside, Illinois, US
5Win5–0 Robert Smith624 Jul 1992 Union Hall, Countryside, Illinois, US
4Win4–0 Joey ChristjohnTKO1 20 Jun 1992 St. Andrews Gym, Chicago, Illinois, US
3Win3–0 Charles PresswoodKO1 27 Mar 1992 Union Hall, Countryside, Illinois, US
2Win2–0 Joe Jones1, 2:1328 Feb 1992 Union Hall, Countryside, Illinois, US
1Win1–0 Roosevelt Shuler3 7 Feb 1992 United Community Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, US

Other

Golota took part in Census 2010 commercials, recorded in Polish and English. In 2010, he appeared in the Polish edition of Dancing with the Stars with partner Magdalena Soszyńska-Michno. In his first appearance he danced waltz. He fell out on 7 November 2010, in 1/8 final. He reached 5th place.
He has also participated in Polish version of "The Mole", he has been eliminated and came on 8th place.