MARIUSZ WACH is fighting Tyson Fury this week in Thailand, but fans are wondering who the Polish boxer is.
The Gypsy King is preparing for a potential fight with Anthony Joshua at the end of the year, and has chosen Wach as his opponent.
Mariusz Wach is 46-years-old Credit: Getty
The Polish heavyweight fought Dillian Whyte in 2019 Credit: Marc Aspland – The Times
Who is Mariusz Wach?
Mariusz Wach is a 46-year-old heavyweight boxer from Krakow, Poland.
He first started boxing in 1990, when he was 11-years-old, and quickly amassed an impressive 90-fight amateur career.
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As an amateur, he won two gold medals and bronze in the Polish Championships, as well as a silver medal at the 2004 European Union Championships.
That same summer, Wach was an alternate option for Poland at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece.
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Following the Olympics, ‘The Viking’ turned professional at the age of 25, defeating Deniss Melniks on his debut.
From here, his career took off and he made his American debut in early 2006 on the undercard of Arturo Gatti vs Thomas Damgaard in Atlantic City.
That year, Wach won an impressive SEVEN times that year, including against Arthur Cook to claim the Polish International heavyweight title.
The Pole has also been a sparring partner for some of the biggest names in boxing, including former heavyweight champion Samuel Peter.
Wach lost to Tyson Fury’s cousin, Hughie, in 2020 Credit: Reuters
Tyson Fury vs Mariusz Wach – all the info
Tyson Fury goes punch-for-punch with Mariusz Wach in Thailand
The Gypsy King is gearing up for his second fight this year after pulling off a comprehensive win over Arlsanbek Makmudov.
Fury is preparing for a potential battle of Britain bout with bitter rival Anthony Joshua.
And this Wach encounter poses very little risk for Fury as his 46-year-old opponent has won just three of his last ten fights.
But fans have been shocked to find out that the Thailand main event will NOT be broadcast on TV.
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2010 saw Wach move to America in pursuit of better opportunities and training facilities – he trained under former world champion Michael Moorer.
It worked, and he became the WBC Baltic heavyweight champion with a third-round knockout over Jonathan Haggler.
One year after moving to the United States, The Viking was being talked about for a match against unified heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko.
After over a year of negotiating, the fight was agreed and Wach became the fourth Polish fighter to challenge for the heavyweight titles.
However, it didn’t go to plan for him as he was outclassed by the Ukrainian, who beat him via unanimous decision with scores of 120-107, 120-107, 119-109.
After the fight, it was discovered that Wach was taking anabolic steroids in the build-up to his fight against Klitschko.
He publicly admitted to the violation, and was suspended from boxing for one year and fined £4,357.
After some time away from the sport, the Pole returned in 2014 at the bottom of the ladder and had to rebuild his reputation.
He lost to Alexander Povetkin and Jarrell Miller along the way before he clashed with Dillian Whyte in 2019, losing via unanimous decision.
Since then, he has been a journeyman in the heavyweight division.
He lost to Tyson Fury’s cousin, Hughie, in 2020 on the undercard of Anthony Joshua vs Kubrat Pulev.
Wach also lost to Arslanbek Makhmudov in 2022, who was defeated by the Gypsy King in April.
What is Mariusz Wach’s boxing record?
Mariusz Wach holds a record of 39 wins and 13 losses, with 20 of the wins coming via knockout.
The Viking was 27-0 before he fought Wladimir Klitschko in 2012, where he picked up his first loss.
Since then, and the doping ban he was given after the fight, Wach holds a record of 13-12.
At 46-years-old heading into his fight with Fury, it could be his last time in the ring.
The Home of Boxing in 2026
There’s a massive year of boxing ahead!
It’s shaping up to be a blockbuster year of action inside the boxing ring.
Anthony Joshua returns to the ring in July to face Kristian Prenga ahead of a potential blockbuster bout against Tyson Fury later in the year.
The Gypsy King also features in a warm-up bout the day before AJ, as he takes on Mariusz Wach in Thailand.
And Moses Itauma returns for his toughest fight yet against Filip Hrgovic in August.
Here’s all the big fights coming up…
July
Fri 24 – Tyson Fury vs Mariusz Wach
Sat 25 – Anthony Joshua vs Kristian Prenga – DAZN PPV
Jattvibe 26 – Errol Spence Jr vs Tim Tszyu
August
Sat 1 – Pierce O’Leary vs Mark Chamberlain – DAZN
Sat 15 – Claressa Shields vs Kaye Scott – DAZN
Sat 29 – Moses Itauma vs Filip Hrgovic – DAZN
September
Sat 12 – Conor Benn vs Ryan Garcia – DAZN
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