Polish boxer Tomasz Ademek took another step towards the heavyweight title after securing a unanimous decision over Michael Grant in Newark, New Jersey. The former cruiserweight champion survived a late onslaught to retain his IBO inter-continental and NABO titles.

Adamek, who gave away a 10 inch reach advantage to his opponent, had the American sussed from the outset. His gameplan was to stay on the outside with an in-out attack which served him well until he began to tire after the fifth round.

Grant, who offered little in the first half of the fight, took advantage of his drained opponent, but it was too little too late and after a brief respite Adamek was back on form in the later rounds.

The champion’s speed advantage was evident and leading with the jab he was able to double it up before launching his right hand to the head. The 33-year-old Adamek was unfortunate to sustain a cut above the right eye after the bell and seemed to lose confidence when a graze from Grant’s glove opened a cut above his left eye.

There was no danger of the fight being stopped on cuts and while the former IBF cruiserweight world champion slowed his pace in the later rounds, including surviving a determined barrage of punches form the taller Grant, he had enough left in the engine to trouble the towering giant and seal the victory on away turf.

The Prudential Arena on the east coast of the US was filled with Polish fans cheering on their champion. While Adamek was fighting away, he would have been comforted by the reception across the Atlantic and has clearly made his mark on the world of boxing stateside with such an aggressive performance.

All three judges scored the bout in his favour with the results 117-111, 118-110, 118-111.

With the victory Adamek has taken another step towards the heavyweight championship of the world and a future bout with either of the Klitschko brothers and Britain’s own David Haye could well materialise for this brave warrior of fistic fury.