Mariusz Wach


Mariusz Wach is a Polish professional boxer. He challenged once for the unified WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, and IBO heavyweight titles in 2012.

Early life

Wach was born 14 December 1979 in Kraków, Poland. He immigrated to North Bergen, New Jersey, as an adult.

Amateur career

Wach first became acquainted with boxing in 1990, amassing a 90-fight amateur career that saw him represent his native Poland in numerous amateur tournaments. Among his greatest achievements during that period were winning two gold medals and a bronze in the Individual Polish Championships and a silver in the 2004 European Union Championships. Wach later represented Poland in the 2004 Summer Olympics as an alternate.

Professional career

Early career

Wach turned pro in April 2005 and defeated Deniss Melniks by first-round knockout in Świebodzice, Poland. He made his American debut in January 2006 by defeating Adele Olakanye by decision on the undercard of Arturo Gatti's destruction of Thomas Damgaard at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, NJ. Wach won seven fights that year, including five in America which was highlighted by winning the Polish International heavyweight title by a ninth-round knockout of Arthur Cook in Illinois. A few months later he won a belt in TWBA federation. In April 2009 in Jaroslaw, Poland Wach blasted out his American opponent Julius Long and defended his title of the World Champion in TWBA. Mariusz has also served as a sparring partner for several well-known boxers, including former heavyweight champion Samuel Peter. In 2010, after being sidelined for a year due to injury, Wach returned to the ring in great shape and turned in one of his best performances as a professional, knocking out Christian Hammer in six rounds in Germany.
In September 2010, Wach was invited by Mariusz Kolodziej, CEO of Global Boxing Promotions, to move to the United States and train at Global Boxing Gym in North Bergen, NJ. Under the guidance of former heavyweight champion Michael Moorer, Wach began his 2-month training camp in preparation for his matchup with Jonathan Haggler. In his first fight of 2011 – against Haggler in Newark, NJ – Wach scored a third-round knockout to win the WBC Baltic heavyweight title. After this fight, Wach signed a promotional agreement with Mariusz Kolodziej of Global Boxing Promotions and Jimmy Burchfield of CES.
Wach's first big test came in July 2011, when he faced off with Kevin McBride, who ended Mike Tyson's career as a boxer. Wach was quicker and sharper, and with one right cross, knocked McBride out cold in the fourth round winning the WBC International heavyweight title.
Wach returned to the Mohegan Sun Arena just four months later with another statement-making performance, this time knocking out Jason Gavern in six rounds at the "November Reign" event.
On 24 March Wach showed that he is a force to be reckoned with after scoring a six-round TKO over another giant, Tye Fields. The event took place at the Resorts Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey, and got coverage form ESPN's Friday Night Fights.

World title challenge

Wach vs. Klitschko

There was first mention of a potential showdown with unified world heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko in August 2011 when Klitschko's team approached Wach's promoters for a fight, however nothing materialized. Wach's promoter Global Boxing stated that it was Klitschko's advisor Shelly Finkel that contacted them. Bernd Boente denied these claims. In August 2012, serious negotiations took place for the fight. A date in November was considered with the venue likely to be in Hamburg, Germany. Terms were fully agreed within days of the negotiations for the fight to take place 10 November. Wach was the fourth Polish contender in history to try to win the world title in the heavyweight division. At 2.02 metres tall, with a reach of 2.08 metres and weighing 251 pounds, Wach was four centimetres taller than Klitschko with a reach two centimeters longer. In Poland, the fight was available via pay-per-view platform on Canal+ Sport for 39 zł and Polsat Sport for 40 zł.
On fight night, at the 02 World Arena, Mariusz Wach lost via one sided UD. The three judges' scored the fight 120–107, 120–107, and 119–109, all in favor of Klitschko. The bout opened with a battle between jabs which was won by Klitschko, who was following his jabs with his signature straight right. Wach managed to wobble Klitschko in round five but failed to take advantage. Wach also showed a great chin later in the fight when Klitschko began to let his hands go more landing thunderous shots. During the course of twelve rounds, Klitschko landed 274 of 693 punches landed, whilst Wach landed 60 of his 308 thrown. After the fight, there were allegations against Wach that he had used steroids.

Failed drug test

Wach failed a doping test after losing a world heavyweight title fight against Wladimir Klitschko. He admitted to doping in the bout against Klitschko and got sanctioned by the Federation of German Professional Boxing, but said that he plans to continue his career no matter how harsh the penalties are.

Wach vs. Whyte

On 7 December 2019, Wach fought title contender Dillian Whyte, who was ranked #1 by the WBC at heavyweight. Whyte was not at his best, but still managed to have control over most of the rounds, winning the bout via unanimous decision, 98–93, 97–93 and 97–93.

Wach vs. Johnson

In his next fight, Wach fought former world title challenger Kevin Johnson. In a fight held without fans in attendance because of COVID-19 restrictions, Wach managed to outpoint Johnson to a unanimous decision victory. The scorecards read 99–91, 98–92 and 97–93 in favor of the home fighter.

Wach vs. Fury

In his next fight, Wach fought former world title challenger Hughie Fury. Wach managed to induce a cut on Fury in the fourth round and tried to target the cut area for the rest of the fight. Fury, however, rebounded well from the cut and outboxed Wach for the rest of the fight, earning a unanimous decision victory.

Wach vs. Itauma

Wach challenged Moses Itauma for the WBO Intercontinental heavyweight title at The O2 Arena in London on 27 July 2024 but lost via second-round stoppage.

Professional boxing record

ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
51Win39–12Piotr ĆwikPTS627 Sep 2025Centrum Kultury Śląskiej, Świętochłowice, Poland
50Loss38–12Kacper MeynaUD1012 Apr 2025Hala Stulecia, Sopot, PolandFor vacant WBC Baltic Sea and Republic of Poland heavyweight titles
49Loss38–11Moses ItaumaTKO2, 2:3027 Jul 2024The O2 Arena, London, EnglandFor WBO Inter-Continental heavyweight title
48Win38–10Michal BolozUD1013 Oct 2023Hala Sportowa, ul Nadbrzezna, Nowy Sacz, Poland
47Loss37–10Frazer ClarkePTS1016 Jun 2023York Hall, London, England
46Win37–9Jakub SosinskiTKO5, 1:243 Jun 2023Katy Wroclawskie, Poland
45Loss36–9Kevin LerenaUD1017 Sep 2022Emperors Palace, Kempton Park, South AfricaFor vacant IBO Inter-Continental heavyweight title
44Loss36–8Arslanbek MakhmudovTKO6, 0:3919 Feb 2022Montreal Casino, Montreal, Canada
43Loss36–7Hughie FuryUD1012 Dec 2020The SSE Arena, London, England
42Win36–6Kevin JohnsonUD1012 Jun 2020Palac w Konarach, Konary, PolandWon vacant Republic of Poland International heavyweight title
41Loss35–6Dillian WhyteUD107 Dec 2019Diriyah Arena, Diriyah, Saudi Arabia
40Win35–5Giorgi TamazashviliKO1, 2:595 Oct 2019Pieszyce, Poland
39Win34–5Gogita GorgiladzeTKO2, 0:1314 Sep 2019Akademia Wychowania Fizycznego, Katowice, Poland
38Loss33–5Martin BakoleTKO8, 2:266 Apr 2019Spodek, Katowice, PolandFor vacant Republic of Poland International heavyweight title
37Loss33–4Artur SzpilkaSD1010 Nov 2018Gliwice Arena, Gliwice, Poland
36Loss33–3Jarrell MillerTKO9, 1:0211 Nov 2017Nassau Coliseum, Uniondale, New York, US
35Win33–2Erkan TeperUD1218 Mar 2017Arena Leipzig, Leipzig, GermanyWon vacant IBF East/West Europe heavyweight title
34Win32–2Marcelo NascimentoUD1014 May 2016Hala Azoty, Kędzierzyn-Koźle, Poland
33Loss31–2Alexander PovetkinTKO12, 0:504 Nov 2015Tatneft Arena, Kazan, RussiaFor WBC Silver heavyweight title
32Win31–1Konstantin AirichTKO6, 2:3919 Jun 2015Sport Hall, Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski, Poland
31Win30–1Gbenga OloukunUD1014 Mar 2015Sport Hall, Lubin, Poland
30Win29–1Travis WalkerKO6, 2:3012 Dec 2014MOSiR, Radom, Poland
29Win28–1Samir KurtagicUD87 Oct 2014Sport Hall, Dzierżoniów, Poland
28Loss27–1Wladimir KlitschkoUD1210 Nov 201202 World, Hamburg, GermanyFor WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, IBO, and List of The [Ring world champions#Heavyweight|The Ring] heavyweight titles
27Win27–0Tye FieldsTKO6, 1:4424 Mar 2012Resorts Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, USRetained WBC International heavyweight title
26Win26–0Jason GavernTKO6, 1:036 Nov 2011Mohegan Sun Casino, Uncasville, Connecticut, USRetained WBC International heavyweight title
25Win25–0Kevin McBrideKO4, 2:2529 Jul 2011Mohegan Sun Casino, Uncasville, Connecticut, USWon vacant WBC International heavyweight title
24Win24–0Jonathan HagglerKO3, 1:2219 Feb 2011Essex County College, Newark, New Jersey, USWon vacant WBC Baltic heavyweight title
23Win23–0Galen BrownTKO4, 2:4812 Nov 2010Twin River Event Center, Lincoln, Rhode Island, US
22Win22–0Christian HammerKO6, 1:5617 Jul 2010Sport Center, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany
21Win21–0Julius LongTKO7, 2:1724 Apr 2009Sport Hall, Jarosław, Poland
20Win20–0Remigijus ZiausysUD67 Feb 2009Stadthalle, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany
19Win19–0Evgeny OrlovPTS1021 Nov 2008City Sport Hall, Grodzisk Mazowiecki, Poland
18Win18–0Daniil PeretyatkoUD87 Aug 2008Sport Hall, Świebodzice, Poland
17Win17–0Eric BooseTKO7, 1:5311 Jul 2008Aragon Ballroom, Chicago, Illinois, US
16Win16–0Eduardo FrancaKO1, 2:5713 Mar 2008Sport Hall, Dzierżoniów, Poland
15Win15–0Yavor MarinchevUD415 Dec 2007MOSiR Hall, Ożarów Mazowiecki, Poland
14Win14–0Andriy KyndrychUD616 Nov 2007Sport Hall, Tarnów, Poland
13Win13–0Zoltán BéresTKO4, 1:5816 Dec 2006Sport Hall, Poznań, Poland
12Win12–0Alexandrs BorhovsRTD5, 3:0020 Oct 2006Hall City, Włocławek, Poland
11Win11–0Arthur CookRTD9, 0:0123 Jun 2006Odeum Expo Center, Villa Park, Illinois, USWon Republic of Poland International heavyweight title
10Win10–0Raman SukhaterinUD63 Jun 2006City Hall, Ostrołęka, Poland
9Win9–0Oleg BelykovTKO2, 1:346 Apr 2006OSiR, Grodzisk Mazowiecki, Poland
8Win8–0Earl LadsonUD610 Mar 2006Schuetzen Park, North Bergen, New Jersey, US
7Win7–0Adele OlakanyeUD428 Jan 2006Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US
6Win6–0Oleksandr SubinUD617 Dec 2005Sport Hall, Żyrardów, Poland
5Win5–0Tomáš MrázekUD41 Dec 2005Sport Hall, Ostrołęka, Poland
4Win4–0Sedrak AgagulyanUD427 Oct 2005OSiR, Grodzisk Mazowiecki, Poland
3Win3–0Aleksandrs BorhovsUD41 Oct 2005EWE-Arena, Niedersachsen, Germany
2Win2–0Milan BecakTKO2, 1:145 Aug 2005OSiR, Warsaw, Poland
1Win1–0Deniss MelniksTKO1, 0:3029 Apr 2005OSiR, Świebodzice, Poland

Exhibition boxing record

ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
2Draw0–1–1Ryszard Raszkiewicz524 May 2025Amfiteatr w Ustroniu, Ustroń, Poland
1Loss0–1Lukas Fajk327 Dec 2024O2 Universum, Prague, Czechia

Kickboxing and K-1 record

Exhibition Mixed martial arts record