By Pawel Kakol

During a recent interview, heavyweight contender Tomasz Adamek confirmed that the reason for parting with Andrzej Gmitruk was his health problem. "Goral" also said that on Sunday he is going to Texas to hook up with trainer Ronnie Shields to begin his preparations for the fight with Chris Arreola, which is scheduled for April 24.

Officially you separated with your trainer Gmitruk. What were the reasons?

Tomasz Adamek: Disease. Andrew's state of health. The resulting urgency of the situation, because Andrew has health problems and had to find a new coach.

So it is not about financial aspects?  Media speculation that the money is the reason why you separated with Gimitruk coach.

Tomasz Adamek: Only speculation.  It is a figment of people who only write what they want.  Crap and crap again. Money is not the problem.

It is possible that in the future Andrew Gmitruk will once again be your coach?

Tomasz Adamek: Now I'm only thinking about my preparation to fight. We are flying to Texas where Ronnie Shields is waiting, then Roger Bloodworth will join us. After fight we can say more. At this moment I don't know what the situation will be with Andrew's health because I am not a doctor. Andrew rang me, he said that he is ill and that's all I can say.

In such a situation will you have to make changes in preparation for the fight with Arreola?

Tomasz Adamek: No. Everything will be as planned. These are good coaches and I hope that we can handle everything.

What impressions do you have after the press conference and the meeting with Chris Arreola?

Tomasz Adamek: Everything is in order. You must enter the ring and there you have to fight, to show what you can and as you are prepared. I can win and a conference does not prove anything. The ring is a place where we have to decide the fight.

Arreola has a lot of respect for you. Are you surprised?

Tomasz Adamek: If they watch my fights then you know that I am brave, and everyone has the right to say a good word. I also think Arreola is a good boxer. On April 24, however, we must both go to the ring and only time will tell which of us is better and wiser.

At the conference he seemed to be smaller than expected. How does it look from your perspective?

Tomasz Adamek: He is not that big. He is my height. The media overstates his size a bit.

In the near future you will join new coach Ronnie Shields. Where did the idea come from to use the former trainer of Evander Holyfield to prepared you in the absence of Bloodworth [who is preparing David Tua for an upcoming fight]?

Tomasz Adamek:  Ziggy knows many people. He is Roger's friend. We talked yesterday with Roger and he recommended him to us, because he can't fly to the United States. So on Sunday I'm going to Texas.

Arreola's coach said that he's going to go through you.  What do you think about that?

Tomasz Adamek: (Laughs) Everyone has the right to say what they want and publish what they want. He hasn't beaten me yet. Like I've said, you must enter the ring and fight.

If you win with Arreola, what will be your next step?

Tomasz Adamek:  It is not up to me and really never cared. There has been talk of a fight with David Haye, but first I have to win on 24th of April. Later we will look at the future.

Do not you worried that the situation here will be a repeat of what happened against Chad Dawson? I'm talking about the problems in communication with the coach during a fight.

Tomasz Adamek: If I'm healthy, I beat everybody. In that fight I was sick and it was not the true Adamek.

Pawel Kakol is the editor of www.BoxingNews.pl