Andrzej Fonfara to return at heavyweight after five-year layoff

Former light-heavyweight contender Andrzej Fonfara, 30-5 (18 KOs), is set to return to the ring at the age of 36 following a five-year layoff on July 20 in Chicago.

The Pole, who is based in Chicago, steps up to heavyweight in a six-rounder on the Hyper Promotions card at Bell Works, Hoffman Estates. In the last decade he was among the best at 175 pounds where he defeated the likes of Chad Dawson, Nathan Cleverly, Gabriel Campillo and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. A 2017 knockout loss to Adonis Stevenson thwarted his championship hopes before he returned the following year as a cruiser, stopping Ismayl Sillah in six rounds. He’s been out of action since then.

On the same bill, plenty will be interested to see the 24-year-old Jorge Carlos, 7-0 (6 KOs). The 2021 National Golden Gloves semi-finalist, who has moved from his Kansas City roots to train in Las Vegas, has already fought twice this year and is delighted to remain busy.

“I’m happy to stay active and keep building. I’d like to thank Hyper Promotions for giving me an opportunity to fight in front of Chicago fight fans,” the junior welterweight said. “I also want to send a big thank you to all of my supporters and sponsors at home, they make all of the hard work worth it. For this camp, my brother, Izak and I have both been training in Vegas and spending time at Salas Boxing Academy and I’m feeling really sharp and ready to put on a show on July 20th.”

Tanner Gill, who manages Carlos alongside Mike Learnadi, is predicting great things for his charge.. 

“I’m really excited about Jorge’s progress as a fighter,” he said. “He’s proven to be a lethal counter puncher with power in both hands and he’s got veteran composure. He doesn’t make the same mistakes you normally see out of young fighters that overextend themselves trying to force the KO; he’s really good at waiting for the right opportunity and capitalizing on it. 

“Right now, we’re focused on staying busy and working on his game. Jorge has already fought on some pretty big platforms and he’s a really big draw in Kansas City, but we believe that popularity is going to expand nationwide and beyond when fight fans see more of this kid.”