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Artur Szpilka
Artur Szpilka
	Szpilka in 2013
Born	12 April 1989 (age 35); Wieliczka, Poland
Nickname	Szpila ("The Pin")
Height	6 ft 4 in (193 cm)
Weight	224 lb (102 kg; 16 st 0 lb)
Division	Bridgerweight (Boxing); Heavyweight (Boxing); Heavyweight (MMA) (2022–present);
Reach	76 in (193 cm)
Style	Boxing
Years active	2008–present (boxing) ; 2022–present (MMA)
Professional boxing record
Total	29
Wins	24
By knockout	16
Losses	5
By knockout	5
Mixed martial arts record
Total	4
Wins	3
By knockout	3
Losses	1
By knockout	1
Other information
	Boxing record from BoxRec
	Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Artur Szpilka ([ˈartur ˈʂpilka]; born 12 April 1989) is a Polish professional boxer and mixed martial artist. He has challenged once for the WBC heavyweight title in 2016. He holds a notable win over former two-weight world champion Tomasz Adamek.

Background

Szpilka was born in Wieliczka, Poland in 1989.^[2] He has said he was a football hooligan before a local boxing coach suggested he should take up boxing instead. As an amateur, Szpilka won the Polish national heavyweight title and reached the quarterfinals of the Junior world championships before turning professional in 2008.^[3] In October 2009 when he was 20 years old, he was arrested for being involved in a brawl between rival football fans and spent 18 months in prison.^[4]

Professional career

On 30 June 2012, Szpilka fought Jameel McCline in Lodz, Poland, which he won by unanimous decision (UD). Szpilka's winning secured the fight with Mike Mollo in 2013, the winning by knock out resulted in consequent revenge. Both bouts Szpilka won by an early knock out, despite that in bout he was knocked down and counted. The first fight was over in the sixth round, the second in the fifth, Mollo became grounded unable to rise.

On 25 January 2014 Szpilka was defeated by Bryant Jennings. Jennings initially was to face Mariusz Wach, however Wach pulled out of the fight and Szpilka stepped in as he called out Jennings on Twitter and the fight was arranged shortly afterwards. The fight took place on 25 January 2014 in Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. Szpilka lost the fight by referee stoppage in the final round.^[5] Later that year, on 8 November 2014, Szpilka scored his most significant win following a ten-round UD over former light-heavyweight and cruiserweight world champion Tomasz Adamek.^[6]

On 16 January 2016 he fought for the WBC heavyweight title against defending champion Deontay Wilder. Szpilka proved an awkward opponent for Wilder with his elusive style, making the champion miss on many occasions. Unfortunately for Szpilka, while advancing closer to Wilder in round nine, he was caught by a hard right hook on the chin which knocked him out cold. He remained on the canvas for several minutes and needed to be stretchered out of the ring.^[7]

About a year and a half after the Wilder fight, Szpilka made his comeback in New York against compatriot Adam Kownacki. Kownacki was in control for most of the fight, dropping Szpilka and subsequently getting a TKO victory in the fourth round.^[8] His next fight was against American Dominick Guinn, whom he defeated by Unanimous Decision. After that, Szpilka had another all-Polish main event, this time against former heavyweight world title challenger Mariusz Wach. Szpilka was visibly smaller and was hit flush several times, and at times the fight seemed like it was going to be stopped. However, in the end he succeeded in edging out Wach by a tiny margin and won by split decision.^[9]

On 20 July 2019, Szpilka fought former world title challenger Derek Chisora. In what was expected to be an action-packed and entertaining fight, Chisora managed to make easy work out of the Pole and knocked him out in the second round. In 2020 Szpilka moved down to cruiserweight and won his first fight against Serhiy Radchenko by way of majority decision.^[10]

Mixed martial arts career

In 2022, it was announced that Szpilka would make his mixed martial arts debut against his former opponent in boxing, Serhiy Radchenko at KSW 71: Ziółkowski vs. Rajewski on 18 June 2022.^[11] He won the bout via second-round technical knockout.^[12]

In the sophomore bout in the sport, Szpilka faced Denis Załęcki at High League 4 on 17 September 2022. He won the bout via first round technical knockout after Załęcki suffered a knee injury.^[13]

Szpilka was then scheduled to face Arkadiusz Wrzosek at XTB KSW 78: Materla vs. Grove 2 on 21 January 2023.^[14] However, the bout was scrapped as Szpilka withdrew from the bout citing a back injury.^[15]

Szpilka faced Mariusz Pudzianowski at XTB KSW 83: Colosseum 2 on 3 June 2023.^[16] He won the bout via technical knockout in the second round.^[17]

Szpilka faced Arkadiusz Wrzosek at XTB KSW 94: Bartosiński vs Michaliszyn on 11 May 2024. He lost the bout via knockout in the first round.^[18]

Professional boxing record

29 fights	24 wins	5 losses
By knockout	16	5
By decision	8	0

No.	Result	Record	Opponent	Type	Round, time	Date	Location	Notes
29	Loss	24–5	Lukasz Rozanski	KO	1 (10), 2:25	30 May 2021	Podpromie Hall, Rzeszów, Poland	For vacant WBC International bridgerweight title
28	Win	24–4	Serhiy Radchenko	MD	10	7 Mar 2020	Hala Sportowa im. Olimpijczykow, Łomża, Poland
27	Win	23–4	Fabio Tuiach	KO	1 (10), 1:27	26 Oct 2019	Hala Sportowa Zeromskiego 9, Sosnowiec, Poland
26	Loss	22–4	Derek Chisora	KO	2 (10), 1:01	20 Jul 2019	The O2 Arena, London, England
25	Win	22–3	Mariusz Wach	SD	10	10 Nov 2018	Arena Gliwice, Gliwice, Poland
24	Win	21–3	Dominick Guinn	UD	10	25 May 2018	National Stadium, Warsaw, Poland
23	Loss	20–3	Adam Kownacki	TKO	4 (10), 1:37	15 Jul 2017	Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Uniondale, New York, US
22	Loss	20–2	Deontay Wilder	KO	9 (12), 2:24	16 Jan 2016	Barclays Center, New York City, New York, US	For WBC heavyweight title
21	Win	20–1	Yasmany Consuegra	RTD	2 (8), 3:00	14 Aug 2015	Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey, US
20	Win	19–1	Manuel Quezada	RTD	3 (8), 3:00	12 Jun 2015	UIC Pavilion, Chicago, Illinois, US
19	Win	18–1	Ty Cobb	TKO	2 (8), 1:46	24 Apr 2015	UIC Pavilion, Chicago, Illinois, US
18	Win	17–1	Tomasz Adamek	UD	10	8 Nov 2014	Tauron Arena, Kraków, Poland	Won vacant IBF International and Republic of Poland International heavyweight titles
17	Loss	16–1	Bryant Jennings	TKO	10 (10), 2:20	25 Jan 2014	The Theater at Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
16	Win	16–0	Mike Mollo	TKO	5 (10), 1:41	16 Aug 2013	US Cellular Field, Chicago, Illinois, US
15	Win	15–0	Brian Minto	UD	10	15 Jun 2013	Łuczniczka, Bydgoszcz, Poland	Won vacant WBC interim Baltic heavyweight title
14	Win	14–0	Taras Bidenko	RTD	1 (10), 3:00	20 Apr 2013	Hala Podpromie, Rzeszów, Poland
13	Win	13–0	Mike Mollo	KO	6 (8), 2:45	1 Feb 2013	UIC Pavilion, Chicago, Illinois, US
12	Win	12–0	Jameel McCline	UD	10	30 Jun 2012	Atlas Arena, Łódź, Poland
11	Win	11–0	Gonzalo Basile	KO	4 (10), 1:43	2 Jun 2012	Łuczniczka, Bydgoszcz, Poland	Won vacant WBC Baltic Silver and WBC Youth Silver heavyweight titles
10	Win	10–0	Terrance Marbra	TKO	1 (6), 2:46	24 Mar 2012	Resorts Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US
9	Win	9–0	David Saulsberry	KO	2 (6), 1:09	5 Nov 2011	Mohegan Sun Arena, Montville, Connecticut, US
8	Win	8–0	Owen Beck	RTD	4 (6), 3:00	15 Oct 2011	Spodek, Katowice, Poland
7	Win	7–0	David Williams	KO	1 (4), 1:53	29 Jul 2011	Mohegan Sun Arena, Montville, Connecticut, US
6	Win	6–0	Ramiz Hadziaganovic	KO	1 (4), 0:33	25 Jun 2011	Podpromie Hall, Rzeszów, Poland
5	Win	5–0	Jeremy May	KO	1 (4), 1:20	31 Jul 2009	Hard Rock Live, Hollywood, Florida, US
4	Win	4–0	Zoltan Kallai	PTS	4	16 May 2009	GranTeatro, Rome, Italy
3	Win	3–0	Viktor Szalai	TKO	1 (4), 1:46	28 Feb 2009	Lublin, Poland
2	Win	2–0	Mihaly Nemet	TKO	2 (4), 0:53	29 Nov 2008	Spodek, Katowice, Poland
1	Win	1–0	Senol Cente	UD	4	18 Oct 2008	MOSiR Hall, Zabrze, Poland

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
4 matches	3 wins	1 loss
By knockout	3	1


Res.	Record	Opponent	Method	Event	Date	Round	Time	Location	Notes
Loss	3–1	Arkadiusz Wrzosek	KO (punches)	XTB KSW 94: Bartosiński vs. Michaliszyn	May 11, 2024	1	0:14	Gdańsk/Sopot, Poland
Win	3–0	Mariusz Pudzianowski	TKO (punches)	XTB KSW 83: Colosseum 2	3 June 2023	2	0:31	Warsaw, Poland
Win	2–0	Denis Załęcki	TKO (knee injury)	High League 4: Natsu vs. Lexy 2	17 September 2022	1	0:41	Gliwice, Poland
Win	1–0	Serhiy Radchenko	TKO (submission to elbow)	KSW 71: Ziółkowski vs. Rajewski	18 June 2022	2	2:52	Toruń, Poland	Catchweight (231 lb) bout.

^[19]

Pay-per-view bouts

Date	Fight	Pay-per-view buys	Network	Source(s)
8 November 2014	Tomasz Adamek vs. Artur Szpilka	100,000	Cyfrowy Polsat PPV	^[20]
	Total sales	100,000

Filmography

Year	Title	Role	Notes
2018	Pitbull: Last Dog	Boxer 1

References

^ "Artur Szpilka ("Szpila") | Boxer Page". Tapology. Retrieved 5 July 2022.
^ "Artur Szpilka Height, Weight, Age, Nationality, Reach, Stance, Bio - PBC Boxing". FOX Sports. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
^ Glinski, George (13 June 2024). "I KOd 'World's Strongest Man' and lost to Deontay Wilder, but I started off as a football hooligan". Talksport.
^ Velin, Bob. "Artur Szpilka faces tall task to become first Polish-born heavyweight champ". USA TODAY. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
^ Christ, Scott (25 January 2014). "HBO boxing results: Bryant Jennings outclasses and stops Artur Szpilka". SB Nation. Vox Media. Retrieved 7 January 2017.
^ Alexey Sukachev (8 November 2014). "Szpilka Likely Ends Adamek, Scores Decision Win". BoxingScene. Retrieved 7 January 2017.
^ Rafael, Dan (17 January 2016). "Deontay Wilder retains title with devastating KO of Artur Szpilka". ESPN. Retrieved 7 January 2017.
^ "Adam Kownacki Batters, Stops Artur Szpilka in Four Rounds". BoxingScene.com. 15 July 2017. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
^ "Artur Szpilka Survives Near Disaster To Edge Mariusz Wach". BoxingScene.com. 10 November 2018. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
^ "News Archive". Box.Live. 20 July 2019. Archived from the original on 21 July 2019. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
^ Seb Sternik (2 June 2022). "Deontay Wilder's former world title challenger Artur Szpilka discovers first MMA opponent". planetsport.com.
^ "KSW 71: Ziolkowski vs. Rajewski Full Results". cagesidepress.com. 18 June 2022.
^ Wojciech Obrembski (17 September 2022). "High League 4. Artur Szpilka wygrywa z Denisem Załęckim". tvp.pl (in Polish).
^ Stachura, Bartholomew. "Artur Szpilka vs. Arkadiusz Wrzosek the fight of the evening of the KSW 78 gala". lowking.pl. Retrieved 22 November 2022.
^ "KSW 78. Artur Szpilka's injury. He will not fight Arkadiusz Wrzosek". sport.tvp.pl. 16 November 2022. Retrieved 22 November 2022.
^ Jay Anderson (8 March 2023). "KSW Colosseum 2 Adds Mariusz Pudzianowski vs. Artur Szpilka at Heavyweight". cagesidepress.com.
^ Marrocco, Steven (3 June 2023). "KSW Colosseum 2 video: Mariusz Pudzianowski knocked out by Artur Szpilka". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
^ "XTB KSW 94: Bartosiński vs Michaliszyn Full Results". KSW (in Polish). Retrieved 12 May 2024.
^ "Artur Szpilka". Sherdog. Retrieved 19 June 2022.
^ "Walka Adamek-Szpilka hitem sprzedaży PPV?" (in Polish). Retrieved 15 May 2022.

External links

Boxing record for Artur Szpilka from BoxRec (registration required)
Artur Szpilka article at sport.pl (in Polish)
Artur Szpilka – Profile, News Archive & Current Rankings at Box.Live

Sporting positions
Regional boxing titles
New title	WBC Baltic Silver heavyweight champion 2 June 2012 – September 2012 Vacated	Vacant Title next held by Vyacheslav Glazkov
	WBC Silver Youth heavyweight champion 2 June 2012 – January 2014 Vacated	Vacant Title next held by Ergun Mersin
	WBC Baltic heavyweight champion Interim title 15 June 2013 – January 2014 Vacated	Vacant
Vacant Title last held by Kubrat Pulev	IBF International heavyweight champion 8 November 2014 – December 2015 Vacated	Vacant Title next held by Robert Helenius
Vacant Title last held by Andrzej Wawrzyk	Poland International heavyweight champion 8 November 2014 – February 2016 Vacated	Vacant Title next held by Mike Mollo