Heavyweight Kevin McBride (35-8-1, 29 KOs) will fight Tomasz Adamek (43-1, 28 KOs) on April 23 at the Prudential Center in Newark.

Reports circulated last week that the two had a deal done, but the question was where the fight would take place -- in Adamek’s native Poland or in the Prudential Center in Newark, which the Pole has been filling out on a regular basis.  In the end Adamek, who lives in Jersey City, and his camp decided to keep the bout in the U.S.

"There were a lot of things taken into consideration when choosing this fight. Overall, though, Tomasz was just more comfortable staying at home for this fight," said Adamek promoter and CEO of Main Events Kathy Duva.

The Polish fighter has signed a deal to fight one of the Klitschko brothers in September in Poland, and the fight against the Irishman is reportedly an opportunity for Adamek to hone his skills against a tall opponent (McBride is around the same height as the Klitschkos). But the Colossus from Clones has other plans.

“I’m definitely coming prepared to win. This is my last opportunity to show the world that I’m a legitimate contender,” the 37-year-old said in an interview with On the Ropes Boxing Radio last week.
When asked how he was different to the fighter that triumphed over Mike Tyson in 2005, McBride replied, “I might have put on a few pounds, but we have a good system for this fight with Tomasz Adamek.

“I’m actually up for this fight with Tomasz Adamek. I’m going back with my fitness trainer Radovan Serbula.”

McBride, who is managed by Jerry Quinn, went on to say he would be working with Goody Petronelli for the fight. He was last in action when he lost a split decision to Matt Skelton in the semifinal of the heavyweight Prizefighter in London on October 9.  Adamek, a former light heavyweight and cruiserweight world champion, last fought on December 9, when he had a fifth round TKO win over Vinny Maddalone.

Meanwhile, according to boxrec.com, light middleweight Henry Coyle (13-2, 10 KOs) is slated to fight at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago on March 18.  The bout is scheduled for eight rounds and an opponent has yet to be confirmed.

Coyle was last in action on November 20 when he defeated Sandor Ramocsa by points decision in Castlebar, Co. Mayo.

In other news out of Ireland, light welterweight Paul McCloskey’s dream of fighting Amir Khan for his WBA light welterweight title is back on after both camps were finally able to agree on financial terms for the fight. 

After the Derry fighter flatly refused the first offer from Khan’s representatives, a follow up was good enough for the 31-year-old to sign the contract.

McCloskey (22-0, 12 KOs) will challenge Khan (24- 1,17 KOs) at the M.E.N. Arena in Manchester on April 23.

“Paul is more than happy with the contract and what he is getting. He was never going to fight for nothing. Paul told me during the week that the fight could be back on. They came to an agreement Friday and signed the deal Saturday,” said his trainer John Breen, according to irish-boxing.com.

Breen also said that if his fighter can use his skills and avoid getting involved in a war with the Freddie Roach-trained fighter, he could win.

Middleweight Andy Lee (24-1, 18 KOs) arrived in Florida late last week to begin camp there ahead of his March 12 fight against Craig McEwan (19-0, 10 KOs) at Foxwoods Casino in Connecticut. Both fighters will be in New York on Wednesday of this week at a press conference to promote the all-Celtic clash.

Finally, in a sign of the harsh economic times in Ireland, RTE announced that due to budgetary constraints it will be unable to broadcast super bantamweight Willie Casey’s quest for a world title when he challenges Guillermo Rigondeaux for his interim WBA title on March 19 at City West in Dublin.