Unbeaten Polish heavyweight Damian Knyba has promised to put on a show for Brooklyn’s passionate Polish boxing fans when he takes on Polish-American slugger Joey Dawejko on Saturday, October 18 as part of Danny Garcia’s “FAREWELL TO BROOKLYN” event from Barclays Center. Tickets for the live event are available NOW through Ticketmaster.com.
“I’m going to prove who’s really from Poland on October 18,” said Knyba, who will be fighting at Barclays Center for the first time. “It adds more motivation for the fight, because I know there will be a lot of Polish people there and I’m gonna show them that I’m the next Polish champion coming up the ranks. I can’t wait to put on a great show for them and make lots of new fans.”
The 29-year-old Knyba (16-0, 10 KOs) heads into this clash having already defeated two other Polish heavyweights this year, first dispatching of Andrzej Wawrzyk in the third-round in February before stopping Marcin Siwy in eight rounds in June. Knyba believes that he’ll make it three for three come October 18.
“I think Joey will come out aggressive, trying to get inside, but that won’t be an option for him,” said Knyba. “I’m going to stay behind my jab, use my straight rights, and it shouldn’t be too much longer until he realizes the fight is over.”
A native of Bydgoszcz, Poland, Knyba is trained in Dzierzoniow, Poland by his coach Piotr Wilczewski as he prepares to close out his big year in style. Recently arriving stateside ahead of fight night, Knyba believes he’s had excellent preparations that have put him on track for a big performance on fight night.
“This has been a really good camp with a great dietician, rigorous physical training and six weeks of sparring,” said Knyba. “I got great work with one of the top cruiserweights in the world and some similar heavyweights to Joey. I’m approaching this fight the same as every fight, but I know that in the end, I get to fight in front of the Polish fans.”
If Knyba is able to keep his perfect record intact on October 18, he has his sights set on some potential big matchups against fellow contenders as he continues to work his way up the rankings.
“There are lots of different fighters I’d like to face and in lots of different places,” said Knyba. “I’d like to fight in England at some point, where there are a lot of Polish fans as well. “I think fighters like David Adeleye and Johnny Fisher would be great opponents for me, but I’m definitely 100% focused on the opponent who’s in front of me right now.”
Knyba, who’s fight will be available in Poland through TVP Sport, knows he’ll have to send his fans home happy to continue his ascent in the heavyweight division.
“I’m extremely motivated to make a statement on October 18,” said Knyba. “Thank you in advance to all the Polish fans who come out to support us. It’s great to have boxing back at Barclays Center and I can’t wait to showcase my skills on this big stage.”
