Maciej Sulecki

Maciej Sulęcki, born on May 2, 1989, in Warsaw, Poland, is a prominent professional boxer who has competed in multiple weight classes, including light-middleweight, middleweight, and super-middleweight. Known by his ring name "Striczu," Sulęcki has made a significant impact in the boxing world with a commendable professional record.

Sulęcki began his professional career in June 2010 with a first-round knockout victory over Adam Gawlik in Kielce, Poland. His rise in the boxing ranks was marked by a series of impressive wins, including a notable unanimous decision victory over former welterweight world champion Yuriy Nuzhnenko in June 2012. Over the following years, Sulęcki continued to build his reputation, accumulating 15 consecutive victories and claiming his first title in November 2013 by defeating Lukasz Wawrzyczek for the vacant Republic of Poland middleweight title. He later added the Polish International super-middleweight title to his accolades by defeating Nicolas Dion in May 2014.

In a pivotal moment in his career, Sulęcki faced former European champion and WBA middleweight world title challenger Grzegorz Proksa in November 2014. Despite some early challenges from Proksa's unorthodox style, Sulęcki secured a seventh-round stoppage victory with a powerful right-hand counterpunch. This victory paved the way for Sulęcki's U.S. debut in April 2015, where he teamed up with promoter Lou DiBella and manager Al Haymon. He continued his winning streak with a third-round knockout of Darryl Cunningham at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago, and a first-round stoppage of Jose Miguel Berrio at the Prudential Center, showcasing his knockout power.

Sulęcki's career trajectory included a significant win over unbeaten prospect Hugo Centeno Jr. in 2016, where he secured a knockout in the final round of a ten-round bout. This victory marked his fifth consecutive knockout. In 2017, he moved down to light-middleweight and defeated Jack Culcay by unanimous decision. However, Sulęcki faced a setback in April 2018 when he lost by unanimous decision to former world middleweight champion Daniel Jacobs. Despite this loss, Sulęcki bounced back with a win over Gabriel Rosado, earning a #2 ranking by the WBO and a mandatory world-title fight against Demetrius Andrade. Although Sulęcki was outclassed by Andrade, losing every round and being knocked down in the process, his career remains a testament to his skill and resilience in the boxing ring.

Maciej Sulecki is a distinguished Polish fighter recognized for his notable striking power, often referred to as "Polish power." His boxing style prominently features a significant emphasis on the overhand punch, a technique designed to exploit the defensive vulnerabilities of his opponents. By effectively employing this potent strike, Sulecki capitalizes on high guards or moments of defensive inattention, aiming for susceptible areas such as the temple or jaw. This punch is not only a critical component of his offensive strategy but also enables him to maintain dominance during exchanges, rendering him a formidable competitor within the boxing arena.

Sulecki’s technique begins with a solid boxing stance, featuring a balanced posture that allows for both mobility and stability. He positions his feet shoulder-width apart and keeps his knees slightly bent, ensuring he can pivot and generate power effectively. The initiation of his overhand punch often involves a jab or feint, which engages the opponent’s defense and creates openings for his strike. This strategic setup is essential for him to remain defensively sound while delivering powerful blows.

The execution of Sulecki’s overhand punch relies on proper mechanics, including shoulder rotation, hip engagement, and leg drive. He rotates his body toward the target, using his core to maximize the force behind the punch. As he throws the overhand, his rear hand comes up to protect his chin, ensuring he maintains a defensive posture. The punch travels in a downward arc, effectively targeting the opponent’s head, and when connected, it can disorient them or even lead to knockouts, showcasing Sulecki’s striking prowess.

Sulecki’s overhand punch is characterized by its power and volume, as he often combines it with other strikes to keep opponents guessing. By maintaining awareness of his opponent’s positioning, he can adjust his angles to ensure effective targeting. His consistent practice against moving targets allows him to hone this technique, making it a vital part of his fighting strategy.