Polish heavyweight contender Tomasz Adamek said on Wednesday that he will bypass an IBF eliminator bout with undefeated Bulgarian Kubrat Pulev in favor of a more lucrative bout against an unnamed opponent in his native Poland.

Adamek (48-2, 29 knockouts) is coming off December’s controversial split-decision victory over Steve Cunningham at the Sands Casino Resort in Bethlehem, Pa.

“I have been offered an opportunity to fight in Poland for far more money than I would get for fighting Kubrat Pulev,” said Adamek, 36, a former light heavyweight and cruiserweight beltholder.

“Meaning no disrespect to Pulev, he has never held a major title and never headlined a televised card. Any money generated by the promotion would, for the most part, be generated by my popularity.”

The Adamek-Pulev winner would have earned the right to face IBF, WBA and WBO titleholder Wladimir Klitschko, a 36-year-old winner of a unanimous decision over Mariusz Wach in November.

“I owe it to my family to engage in the most financially rewarding bouts, and engaging in a bout with Kubrat Pulev at this time simply does not make financial sense,” said Adamek.

“I have spoken with the President of the IBF, Daryl Peoples, and informed him that, for the above reasons, I have withdrawn from the IBF box-off. I also thanked the IBF for the support it has shown me and the sport of boxing over the past years.”

Peoples will navigate the IBF’s rankings to determine whom he deems to be the best leading available contender, according to IBF public relations director Jeanette Salazar.

Lem Satterfield can be reached at [email protected]