Middleweight Osumanu Adama versus Marlon Thomas: A Smoky Dream Matchup
By Robert Brizel, Head RCM Boxing Correspondent
*Photo Credit: Adama Photo Copyright by Robert Brizel
Illinois middleweight contender Osumanu Adama of Ghana took off a year after his controversial March 2012 IBF 12 round world title decision loss to then champion Daniel Geale in Tasmania, Australia. After comeback wins over Grady Brewer (in which he fought over weight and blew two belt opportunities) and Doel Carrasquillo (a 17 loss fighter), Adama is now due to face a challenge with a boxer who has a superior record.
Detroit’s Marlon Thomas, a 37 win fighter, coming off an impressive win over Vance Garvey at The Masonic Temple in Detroit on September 13, 2013, might be the sort of ‘smoky’ opponent who conceivably could beat Adama. Known as ‘Trouble Man’, Thomas, 37-8-1, 21 knockouts, has fought only three times in the last six years. A world ranked light middleweight, the victory over Garvey represents the first win by Thomas at 160 pounds. Thomas holds a ten round unanimous decision win over Grady Brewer, who Osumanu Adama barely beat by ten round split decision in March 2013.
Thomas lost a controversial 12 round decision in a light welterweight world title bout to the late great Vernon Forrest in perhaps his most brilliant ring performance.
Marlon Thomas versus Vernon Forrest, Light Welterweight title bout, Mills Lane, referee
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DzoBxyyooco Entire USA Network bout on YouTube
Adama, 22-3, 16 knockouts, Joliet, Illinois, has his greatest enemy in inactivity. What better main event match for Adama and his handlers the Tolaymats than Thomas, a drive in opponent who previously fought under the same Chicago Fight Club Promotion banner of Cynthia and Wasfi Tolaymat that promotes Adama. The Tolaymats did their last fight card, featuring Adama in the main event, at Cicero Stadium in Chicago in August 2013.