By Przemek Garczarczyk

Always brutally honest trainer Ronnie Shields spoke with Fightnews.com® about this Saturday’s nationally televised all-Polish heavyweight showdown at the Nassau Coliseum between Artur Szpilka (20-2, 15 KO) and Adam Kownacki (15-0, 12 KO).

“Losing on July 15 means that you’re not a heavyweight fighter with a big future in this business,” said Shields. “Losing to Kownacki means that you’re just one of many. I’m not saying that Adam cannot fight – not at all. Kownacki has heart, is aggressive, knows how to finish. He’s not just an opponent from the street to put in front of Szpilka after his 18-month break from boxing. But if you have Artur’s experience, background, talent, all the training options he has and you’re losing to a fighter without all that, the conclusion is a simple one.”

Saturday’s Szpilka-Kownacki clash will be part of the Premier Boxing Champions on FOX and FOX Deportes fight card from NYCB LIVE, home of the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

Saying that Artur Szpilka is a very confident is still a huge understatement. I remember vividly when, before fight with Bryant, he told HBO commentators that Jennings doesn’t belong in the same ring with him…

I know where you going. Being confident in your abilities is big part of being a fighter. Maybe more, than in any other sport. If you doubt yourself in boxing, don’t even bother going between the ropes. Of course, another part is an occasional hard lesson, verification that you have learned from.

Did “The Pin” learn?

You know him longer than I – you tell me…

Yes. He has a better understanding how to channel his emotions. Understands, that doing a show during a press conference or weigh-in is a cool thing…but not the most important thing. His madness is more controlled.

Agree. I can control only what he does in the ring (to a point) and in training camp. About his combustive character – we had a lot of conversations about it. My explanation is simple – nobody is paying you for a press conference brawl. To the contrary – they can take your money. So why bother? In camp, I love every minute of being there with Artur. He’s absolutely dedicated to being a better fighter. Full concentration, not wasting a minute on some BS – work means work. I’m expecting exactly the same on July 15 vs. Adam Kownacki.

Losing to Adam would mean that Artur’s dreams about a big career are over? Exaggeration or not?

Not an exaggeration at all. Losing on July 15 means that you’re not a heavyweight fighter with a big future in this business. Losing to Kownacki means that you’re just one of many. I’m not saying that Adam cannot fight – not at all. Kownacki has heart, is aggressive, knows how to finish. He’s not just an opponent from the street to put in front of Szpilka after his 18-month break from boxing. But if you have Artur’s experience, background, talent, all the training options he has, and you’re losing to a fighter without all that, the conclusion is a simple one.

You just put a lot of extra pressure on his shoulders.

I don’t think so. He can handle it. He knows what’s at stake this Saturday. If it would be some other fighter, maybe I wouldn’t publicly on the record said that. But “The Pin” draws his strength and motivation in situations like this. I told Artur that I expect him to dominate from the first second of the first round. Let Kownacki know right away that he’s in very deep water. This is our plan. Our camp was all about that. Nothing else.

You don’t like to look too far into the future.

There’s no future for Artur Szpilka if he loses on July 15.