Newark, NJ - Polish heavyweight prospect Damian Knyba (15-0, 9 KOs) made a statement in Newark, New Jersey, on Saturday night, stopping compatriot Andrzej Wawrzyk (34-5, 20 KOs) in the third round of their highly anticipated showdown at the Prudential Center. Headlining for the first time in his career, Knyba lived up to expectations, imposing his will from the opening bell and showcasing the tools that make him a rising force in the division.

From the opening round, the 6’8” Knyba took full control of the fight, using his long jab to dictate the pace and keep Wawrzyk on the back foot. With the ring relatively small, Knyba was able to cut off his opponent’s movement effectively, forcing Wawrzyk into defensive mode early. Wawrzyk, who came into the fight with experience but questions surrounding his durability, offered little offense in the opening frame, opting to circle away and avoid Knyba’s power shots.

Knyba increased the pressure in the second round, landing a solid overhand right early that clearly affected Wawrzyk. As the round progressed, Knyba pinned Wawrzyk against the ropes and unleashed a sustained flurry of punches, though his opponent managed to stay on his feet. Despite Wawrzyk’s best efforts to avoid the onslaught, the gap in skill and physicality became evident as Knyba methodically broke him down.

The beginning of the end came early in the third round. Knyba continued to use his jab to set up his power punches, and moments later, he landed a clean right hook to the side of Wawrzyk’s head, sending him to the canvas. Although Wawrzyk beat the referee’s count at eight, he was visibly shaken and unable to defend himself effectively. Recognizing the opportunity to close the show, Knyba charged forward, landing several unanswered punches before the referee stepped in to halt the contest.

The official stoppage came as Knyba fulfilled his pre-fight promise of securing a third-round knockout. With the victory, the towering Polish heavyweight kept his unbeaten record intact and solidified his status as one of the country’s top heavyweight hopes.

Following the bout, Knyba expressed satisfaction with his performance, reiterating his desire to step up in competition.

"Just like I promised, I finished him in the third round," Knyba said post-fight. "Now, I’d like to face Różański, Meyna, or Pulev next."

As Knyba continues to progress under the guidance of Top Rank and his trainer Shaun George, he appears to be on a promising trajectory. His combination of size, power, and improving technique makes him an intriguing addition to the heavyweight mix.

For Wawrzyk, the defeat raises further concerns about his place in the division. Having suffered multiple stoppage losses throughout his career, it remains uncertain whether he will continue fighting at the top level.

Knyba’s dominant victory over Wawrzyk marks another step toward establishing himself as the new face of Polish heavyweight boxing. With a country historically passionate about the division, the 29-year-old now carries the potential to follow in the footsteps of past Polish heavyweight contenders like Tomasz Adamek and Andrew Golota.