All-Polish Heavyweight Showdown Set for Prudential Center
Polish boxing returns to Prudential Center for the first time in over a decade as undefeated heavyweight contender Damian Knyba (14-0, 8 KOs) takes on seasoned veteran Andrzej Wawrzyk (34-4, 20 KOs) in the main event of “Winter Warfare” on Saturday, February 1, 2025, in Newark, NJ.
Promoted by PrimeTime Promotions, the 10-round heavyweight clash will revive the proud tradition of Polish boxing at Prudential Center, famously packed by fans during the Tomasz Adamek era.
Main Event: Knyba vs. Wawrzyk
Damian Knyba (14-0, 8 KOs)
At 6’7″, Knyba is a towering prospect from Wudzyn, Poland. Known for his knockout power, Knyba made waves in 2024 with a highlight-reel KO of Richard Lartey, earning recognition as a rising force in the heavyweight division.
Knyba: “I thrive under the bright lights and big crowds. February 1 will be no different. I’m ready to put on a show for Polish fans worldwide!”
Andrzej Wawrzyk (34-4, 20 KOs)
A veteran of the sport, Wawrzyk has shared the ring with world-class opponents, including Alexander Povetkin and Kubrat Pulev. The 6’5” heavyweight from Kraków brings experience and toughness, having recently gone the distance with WBA champion Pulev.
Knyba’s Manager Lukasz Kownacki: “Damian is ready to make a statement. This fight symbolizes the new generation taking over Polish heavyweight boxing.”
Co-Main Event: Fiodor Czerkaszyn Returns
Polish middleweight contender Fiodor Czerkaszyn (25-1, 15 KOs) will compete in an eight-round bout against an opponent to be announced. The Warsaw native is coming off a stellar 2024 and looks to continue his climb toward world title contention.
Undercard Highlights
- Miyo Yoshida (17-5) vs. Beata Dudek (5-5, 4 KOs) – 8-round women’s junior bantamweight bout.
- Former world champion Yoshida aims to bounce back after losing her title in October.
- Michal Soczynski (8-0, 5 KOs) – The undefeated Polish light heavyweight will face an opponent TBA.
- Mateusz Bereznicki (1-0, 1 KO) – Rising cruiserweight star returns for his second pro bout.
Additional fighters include:
- Ghandi Romain (6-1-1, 4 KOs)
- Lorenzo “Truck” Simpson (14-2, 8 KOs)
- Jean Pierre Valencia (3-0, 2 KOs)
- Elise Soto (7-0, 7 KOs)
Promoter’s Take
Eryk Rachwal, head of PrimeTime Promotions, sees this event as a revival for Polish boxing:
“This is the culmination of years of hard work to bring Polish boxing back to prominence. Damian Knyba represents the future, and this is his moment to shine.”
Dylan Wanagiel, VP of Sports Properties at Prudential Center, added:
“We’re thrilled to host this event. Polish fans are among the most passionate in boxing, and they’ll bring the energy back to Newark for ‘Winter Warfare.’”
Event Details
Date: Saturday, February 1, 2025
Time: Main Card starts at 7 PM ET
Venue: Prudential Center, Newark, NJ
Tickets: Available at prucenter.com or Ticketmaster
Key Points
- Main Event: Damian Knyba vs. Andrzej Wawrzyk – 10-round all-Polish heavyweight showdown.
- Co-Main Event: Fiodor Czerkaszyn returns in an 8-round middleweight bout.
- Undercard: Features rising talent like Miyo Yoshida, Michal Soczynski, and Mateusz Bereznicki.
- Promoter: PrimeTime Promotions.
- Tickets: On sale now.
Breakdown
- Event: Damian Knyba vs. Andrzej Wawrzyk – “Winter Warfare”
- Location: Prudential Center, Newark, NJ
- Date/Time: February 1, 2025 | Main Card: 7 PM ET
- Main Fights:
- Damian Knyba vs. Andrzej Wawrzyk (Heavyweight)
- Fiodor Czerkaszyn vs. TBA (Middleweight)
- Miyo Yoshida vs. Beata Dudek (Women’s Junior Bantamweight)
This is fantastic news for Polish boxing fans! It’s about time we see some high-profile matches again at Prudential Center. Knyba’s rise is exciting, and I can’t wait to see him face Wawrzyk. This event will surely reignite the passion of Polish supporters!
The hype around Knyba is understandable, but it’s crucial to consider that his opponents haven’t been on Wawrzyk’s level. Experience often trumps youth in boxing, and this could lead to an upset come February.
While it’s great to see Polish boxing getting a revival, I question whether Knyba is truly ready for Wawrzyk. Experience often trumps raw talent in the ring, and Wawrzyk’s extensive resume could prove decisive.
Really? Another ‘all-Polish showdown’? As if we haven’t seen enough mismatched bouts lately. Knyba might be undefeated, but Wawrzyk’s past losses tell a different story. This feels more like a publicity stunt than a serious fight to me.
I disagree with the notion that Knyba is the future of Polish boxing. Sure, he has an impressive record, but he hasn’t faced top-tier opponents yet. Wawrzyk’s experience makes this fight much more competitive than it seems.
While Knyba’s undefeated record is impressive, we shouldn’t overlook Wawrzyk’s experience in the ring. He’s faced tougher opponents and knows how to handle pressure. This fight isn’t as straightforward as many fans think.