To say Andrew Golota's career has been tumultuous may be putting it lightly. Golota (38-5-1 31KOs), of Chicago, is preparing for his fourth world title shot this Saturday. Thus far in his career Golota is 0-3 in Championship fights, yet he's hoping the fourth time is the charm. Golota, 37, is a twelve year professional who despite his bad luck and sometimes outrageous antics, keeps getting chances.

Golota got his first world title shot seven and a half years ago, (October 1997) against Heavyweight great Lennox Lewis, Lewis discarded Golota in less than a full round. This title fight came after back-to-back disqualification losses to former Heavyweight Champion Riddick Bowe.   Golota, who was clearly winning both fights, decided mid way through to begin fouling Bowe, via low blow numerous times, until he was disqualified. The Bowe fights would be the first time we would see Golota's very strange behavior play out in front of us.

After his loss to Lewis, Golota faded away somewhat, and while still active the former Olympic Bronze medalist ('88) was off the national radar.  Two years after the Lewis fight, Golota returned to the spotlight. This time he was to be a stepping-stone for rising young Heavyweight Michael Grant. As Grant's opponent, Golota once again had a chance to prove himself as one of the top Heavyweights in the world. The fight started out great for Golota, who dropped Grant twice in the 1st round and continued to dominate most of the way until the 10^th round. In the 10th round Grant knocked Golota down for the first time in the fight, when Golota rose from the knockdown the referee asked him if he wanted to continue, Golota shook his head and answered "No." This outcome marked the third time in his career Golota chose, one way or another that he no longer wanted to participate in a fight he was winning.

Fast forward to April of 2004, with a 22-month retirement and a drubbing at the hands of Mike Tyson, which was later ruled "No Contest," behind him; Andrew Golota was back in the spotlight, fighting for a World Title. This time his opponent was IBF World Heavyweight Champion Chris Byrd, a slick and very skilled boxer. This time though, we would see a very different Andrew Golota. Golota, 36 years old at the time, looked better than ever. Not only was Golota's physique menacing, he showed great stamina and he boxed seemingly better than ever before. Golota landed clean and hard shots, with all of them landing above the belt, he fought smart, smarter than ever before, would one dare say 'Golota was back?' no, because he was better than ever before. Despite a very good showing, Golota's fight with Byrd was declared, incorrectly I might add, a draw, allowing Byrd to retain his World Heavyweight Championship and surely ending Golota's dream of becoming the Heavyweight Champion of the World, right? Wrong.

Just seven months later Golota got another world title shot, this time against WBA Heavyweight Champion John Ruiz. This time the new-and-improved Golota would drop the defending Champ twice and Ruiz would be the one to have a point deducted, ironically, for low blows; however, this was still not enough for Golota to capture the title, Ruiz was the victor by Unanimous Decision. Golota, referring to the Ruiz fight, said this week during a press conference leading up to the fight, "I've never been robbed like that," adding seconds later, "It was unbelievable for me. I still can't imagine how I lost that fight. It's so unbelievable."

After two incredible strokes of bad luck, Golota is back for yet another Heavyweight Title shot, this Saturday in his hometown of Chicago. This time Golota's opponent is WBO Heavyweight Champion Lamon Brewster (31-2 27KO's). Brewster is making  his second title defense after winning the title from Wladimir Klitschko thirteen months ago.

Golota, who is a sizable betting favorite, is going against a real life Rocky." Brewster is undersized, at 6' 1" and 224lbs., can take an incredible amount of punishment and dish it out too. Neither fighter has a whole lot of head movement, thus both have a propensity to get hit; that being said, I believe that Golota has the harder punch.

While Golota goes for his unprecedented third straight world title challenge, he is fighting in front of a hometown crowd this time at Chicago's United Center. While this fight looks like it will be a twelve round brawl between two workhorses, I believe Golota will finally get  his vindication, winning this fight by a close decision; however, if unsuccessful this has to be Golota's last shot, right? I wouldn't count on it.