Report and images by Neil McDaid
October 6, 2007 - Madison Square Garden, NY -- With the IBF North American Heavyweight Championship on the line, Ireland’s Kevin “The Clones Colossus” McBride, fighting out of Boston, would step into the ring against Poland’s Andrew “The Polish Powerhouse“ Golota, fighting out of the Windy City. This was to be an important fight for these two big heavyweights who have recently struggling to find their way. Coming off his memorable victory over “Iron” Mike Tyson in 2005, Kevin McBride has struggled to continue on the path to a meaningful world title fight; his last outing was a disappointing loss to Mike Mollo just a year ago for the vacant WBA heavyweight title in Chicago.
Down through the years Andrew Golota has had several shots at various world titles, but he has also struggled to rise to the occasion. Golota’s last big fight was a title fight with Lamon Brewster where he lost by TKO in the first round. On this night it would all come down to the survival of the fittest, unfortunately for Kevin it would all go wrong in the sixth round.
As he made his entrance McBride was jeered and booed by the large number of Polish fans that turned out to see their man Golota, who was once again on the sport’s greatest stage. McBride would be lead to the ring by a lone piper. Kevin seemed visibly taken aback by the reception from the crowd as he peered from under his robe. Boos turned to cheers as Golota entered into view. At the prefight weigh in McBride would tip the scales at 288lbs, some 37lbs heaver that his opponent. Kevin would hold a slight height, reach and age advantage over Golota, though.
From the opening bell of the first round it was an all out battle. McBride would lunge into action first almost taking out the referee as he charged towards Golota. Both fighters would feel each other out with the left jab, soon followed by some big overhead right hooks when the opportunity arose. Standing toe to toe in center ring McBride would connect to the head of Golota, a solid connection that seemed to rock the polish heavyweight as he moved away on his heels. Golota would get a chance to regain himself as the ref called a time out to replace Golota’s mouth piece. Two overhead rights from Kevin followed up by a swift undercut had Golota in a daze again. Pushing forward Kevin would get in yet another crushing left hook, but somehow Golota would hang on until the bell. It would prove to be McBride’s best round of the bout.
Both fighters would open the second again working the jab to the head, with very little directed to the body. Showing up for this important fight weighing in at 288lbs McBride was clearly out of shape, but surprisingly Kevin was showing some improved hand speed. Golota worked around McBride’s mass, obviously the fitter fighter.
McBride looked winded as the seconds ticked away in round two, his extra weigh showing as he lunged awkwardly forward in search of Golota. It was a rough and tumble affair through the third and fourth rounds with McBride often stepping back, dropping his guard down as he gasped for air.
Down through the years Andrew Golota has had several shots at various world titles, but he has also struggled to rise to the occasion. Golota’s last big fight was a title fight with Lamon Brewster where he lost by TKO in the first round. On this night it would all come down to the survival of the fittest, unfortunately for Kevin it would all go wrong in the sixth round.
As he made his entrance McBride was jeered and booed by the large number of Polish fans that turned out to see their man Golota, who was once again on the sport’s greatest stage. McBride would be lead to the ring by a lone piper. Kevin seemed visibly taken aback by the reception from the crowd as he peered from under his robe. Boos turned to cheers as Golota entered into view. At the prefight weigh in McBride would tip the scales at 288lbs, some 37lbs heaver that his opponent. Kevin would hold a slight height, reach and age advantage over Golota, though.
From the opening bell of the first round it was an all out battle. McBride would lunge into action first almost taking out the referee as he charged towards Golota. Both fighters would feel each other out with the left jab, soon followed by some big overhead right hooks when the opportunity arose. Standing toe to toe in center ring McBride would connect to the head of Golota, a solid connection that seemed to rock the polish heavyweight as he moved away on his heels. Golota would get a chance to regain himself as the ref called a time out to replace Golota’s mouth piece. Two overhead rights from Kevin followed up by a swift undercut had Golota in a daze again. Pushing forward Kevin would get in yet another crushing left hook, but somehow Golota would hang on until the bell. It would prove to be McBride’s best round of the bout.
Both fighters would open the second again working the jab to the head, with very little directed to the body. Showing up for this important fight weighing in at 288lbs McBride was clearly out of shape, but surprisingly Kevin was showing some improved hand speed. Golota worked around McBride’s mass, obviously the fitter fighter.
McBride looked winded as the seconds ticked away in round two, his extra weigh showing as he lunged awkwardly forward in search of Golota. It was a rough and tumble affair through the third and fourth rounds with McBride often stepping back, dropping his guard down as he gasped for air.
An accidental clash of heads in the fifth could possibly have started to open a slight cut below the left eye of McBride. With a little over a minute left in the sixth both fighters would battle hard along the ropes. McBride would drive a hard left to the body of Golota but unfortunately McBride was unable to follow up. Golota would return with a lovely left hook of his own to the head of McBride, sending Kevin back onto the ropes. Kevin had nothing left, with blood streaming from McBride’s left eye referee Arthur Mercate had seen enough. Mercate’s reason for stopping the fight was that, “Kevin was winded. He took a lot of shots; he can fight on another day.”
With his legion of loyal fans decked out in the colors of their country the victory and the title would go to Golota by way of TKO bringing his record to 40-6-1, 33 Kos. “Kevin surprised me, he was faster than I thought he would be, and he didn’t get tired. I proved tonight that I can still fight with anyone,” said Golota after the fight.
With the current state of the heavyweight title belts the dream is not dead for McBride, but in saying that he will need to get with the program, as the hill has just become steeper. Kevin will need to greatly improve his fitness level. Had McBride come into this fight in the same condition as when he took Mike Tyson to the mat, I would have to think that he could have finished Golota in the first or second round.
Images and report ©Neil McDaid
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