The 37-year-old Irishman who lives in Dorchester will get a chance to add another highlight to his résumé tonight when he attempts to deprive Tomasz Adamek of a potential heavyweight title fight against one of the Klitschko brothers.

Adamek, 34, will get his shot at a big payday in September if he can defeat McBride in a 12-round bout at the Prudential Center.

“Before my big fight in September I must beat Kevin,’’ Adamek said. “I respect Kevin and I am ready. I will give all my fans a good show, because I am a warrior. This is my destiny.’’

Under the deal announced earlier this year, the Klitschkos will decide who fights Adamek (43-1, 28 KOs), a native of Gilowice, Poland, who now lives in Kearny, N.J.

Vitali Klitschko retained his WBC heavyweight title against Odlanier Solis with a first-round knockout March 19. He is likely to get the title shot because Wladimir, the IBF and WBO champ, is likely to face fellow titleholder David Haye this summer.

Adamek’s fight against one of the Klitschkos would be in Poland in September in Warsaw or Wroclaw, at one of the stadiums being built for soccer’s 2012 European Championship.

Poland is co-hosting the tournament with Ukraine, the home country of the Klitschkos.

However, Adamek must beat McBride, who ended Tyson’s career in 2005 when the former champ failed to answer the bell for the seventh round.

“You know, I did say ‘I’m going to shock the world and beat Mike Tyson,’ and I did do what I said,’’ McBride said. “I’m not going to say that I am going to shock the world when I beat Tomasz Adamek, but I’m going to upset the world and especially the Polish people because I’m here to win. Talk’s cheap and you have to put it together on that night.’’

The fight against McBride (35-8-1) was originally scheduled for April 24, but was pushed up so as not to conflict with Easter.

“This is a big opportunity for me,’’ McBride said. “It’s probably my last chance to show the world that I have what it takes. As a kid growing up I wanted to be the first-born Irish heavyweight champion of the world. Adamek is in the way and hopefully after I beat Adamek I get an opportunity to fight for the world title and show the world.’’