Date: Saturday, September 6, 2014
WBO/IBF/WBA/ HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE BOUT
Location: 02 World Arena, Altona, Hamburg, Germany
Promoter: K2 Promotions (Tom Loeffler)
Supervisor:
Referee:
Judges:
Results:
TV:
Photo by www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/sport/boxing/article4075068 –
Article: Boxing Clever –
Former gold-medal winner Wladimir Klitschko wants to compete at the 2016 Olympic Games.
According to an Interfax-Ukraine news agency report Klitschko, the undisputed professional world heavyweight champion, has said he wants to box in Rio de Janeiro.
“I hope international amateur boxing’s ruling body will be kind to me and that I will have enough health and motivation to perform at the Olympics in two years time,” the agency quoted the 38-year-old Ukrainian.
Klitschko, who won a gold medal at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, said he had spoken to his former coach, Emanuel Steward, during the 2012 London Olympic Games.
Steward, who died in October that year, had encouraged him to box again in Rio, Klitschko said.
“I already have an Olympic title and it would be terrific to repeat this experience 20 years later.”
Klitschko retained his WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO titles in Oberhausen, Germany, last Sunday when he knocked out Australian challenger Alex Leapai after two minutes and five seconds of the fifth round.
It was his 25th “world” title fight.
Date: Saturday, April 26, 2014
WBO Heavyweight Championship Title
Location: Oberhausen, Germany
Promoter: KMG/Hamburg, Germany
Supervisor: Francisco Valcárcel, Esq.
Referee: Edward Cotton
Judges: Deon Dwarte (40-35), Glenn Feldman (40-35), Zoltan Enyedi (40-35)
Result: Champion Wladimir Klitschko retains the WBO Heavyweight Title over Alex Leapai by TKO in the fifth round.
Photos: Lynne Sladky – Yahoo Photo Gallery
Article by Adrian Warren –
Multiple heavyweight world title-winning boxing champion Wladimir Klitschko has described Alex Leapai’s style as “pure violence,” but insists he won’t take his Australian challenger lightly.
Klitschko will put the the WBO, WBA, IBF and IBO titles on the line against Queenslander Leapai in Oberhausen, Germany in the early hours of Sunday April 27, Australian time.
The towering 38-year-old Ukrainian (61-3, 51 KOs) is riding a 19-fight win steak and hasn’t lost for ten years.
Leapai 34 (30-4-3 24 KOs) earned his shot with a unanimous points win in Germany last November over Denis Boytsov, taking the Russian’s No.1 WBO ranking.
“I think Alex has been successful with his style, I call it pure violence in the ring, and he became number one mandatory, thanks to that style,” Klitschko said in press conference in Austria.
“I think that he doesn’t have much idea about technique, strategy and tactics in a fight, or in the fights that I’ve seen.
“But he really doesn’t need it because he has so much strength naturally.
“He will try to get inside and fight and do the hay-making.
“He has some downsides but has some really strong sides.
“It’s going to be really challenging for me because of the size difference as well and his desire to win.
“I could tell, and I saw it at the press conference (recently in Germany), he’s determined, he really wants to make it happen.
“I think that Alex is certainly very motivated to become a champion and he’s the guy that has nothing to lose.”
Klitschko dismissed the suggestion he would use his massive height and reach advantages to box Leapai from the outside and avoid getting hit at close quarters.
“No, I will stand there at a close distance and I will fight him close so he’s going to feel there’s definitely another Mike Tyson,” Klitschko said.
The champion is an overwhelming betting favourite for the fight, but experience has taught Klitschko the underdog normally rises to the occasion.
“I’m definitely not going to take Alex Leapai easily, I’m taking him even stronger,” he said.
“Because in the night when challengers are in the ring, I’m telling you out of my experience, they are better than they usually are.
“Because this is their life chance and it’s definitely a life chance for Alex Leapai.”
http://www.boxingscene.com/klitschko-says-no-chance-inside-fight-with-leapai–76607
WBO/IBF/WBA/IBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko was working hard during a training session at the Hotel Stanglwirt in Going, Austria. Klitschko is scheduled to defend his titles against the mandatory WBO challenger Alex Leapai of Australia at the Koenig-Pilsener-Arena on April 26 in Oberhausen, Germany. Leapai, a heavy underdog but a big puncher, secured his mandatory shot after last year’s upset decision over previously undefeated Denis Lebedev.
http://www.boxingscene.com/photos-w-klitschko-working-hard-leapai-defense–76511
Credit/Picture: Nathan Richter Source: News Limited –
By Adrian Warren –
Alex Leapai is poised to live a “bat-like” existence in the days before his boxing world heavyweight title challenge to Ukrainian great Wladimir Klitschko.
Finally over a calf muscle injury, Leapai has begun sparring in the second phase of a two-stage preparation aimed at unseating the formidable Klitschko in Oberhausen, Germany, on April 26.
Hee took to the gym for a six-round workout with former NSW and Australian heavyweight champion and rugby league star Solomon Haumono on Wednesday.
But Romania’s Razvan Cojanu, who is 202cm tall, will be imported to help him prepare for fighting 198cm Klitschko, who is 15cm taller than the Australian.
Leapai’s trainer-manager Noel Thornberry said they had adopted a conservative approach in waiting for the calf injury to heal, but it hadn’t impacted on their preparations as they’d done several weeks of strength, conditioning and flexibility work.
“Seven weeks is plenty of time to prepare practically, because we don’t want to leave the fight in the gym,” Thornberry said.
Leapai will arrive in Germany seven days before the bout, but will keep unusual hours, according to Thornberry, as they draw on acclimatisation lessons from Leapai’s fight there last November when he beat Russia’s Denis Boytsov to earn his title shot.
“We do it a little bit differently, sleep when we’re tired and we eat when we’re hungry,” Thornberry said.
“We’ll sleep through the day and not get out of bed until one o’clock in the morning their time which is nine o’clock in the morning our time.
“Then we’ll go back to 12 (midnight), then 11pm, then 10pm.
“11 o’clock is the time we have to step in the ring German time.
“We live a little bit like bats from the German perspective.”
Leapai admitted he had already envisioned himself winning the title.
“I do, I dream about it,” Leapai said.
“I’ve just got to do the hard work now and hopefully that dream does come true.”
http://www.boxingscene.com/leapai-continues-tough-march-camp-klitschko–75547
Vladimir Klitschko and Alex Leapai pose after their press conference. Photo: Reuters
Alex Leapai hasn’t been fazed by his first face-to-face meeting with the much taller Wladimir Klitschko, declaring he plans to exploit a weakness in the triple heavyweight world boxing champion in their title fight in Germany.
They met for the first time at a press conference on Wednesday morning in Oberhausen, where Leapai will attempt to cause a massive upset on April 26.
There was no trash talk from either man, with 37-year-old Klitschko speaking respectfully about Leapai and refusing to look beyond his bout with the Queenslander.
At 198cm tall, Klitschko (30-4-3, 24 KOs), is a whopping 15cm taller than 34-year old Leapai (30-4-3, 24 KOs) and also has a huge 16cm reach advantage.
The Ukranian colossus has won his last 19 fights and by the time he steps into the ring with Leapai it will be more than 10 years since his last loss.
Those impressive physical and fighting statistics and a close-up look at the champion have done nothing to shake Leapai’s belief he can topple the long-standing champion.
“Klitschko is a gentleman,” Leapai said after the press conference.
“He’s a very tall man, he’s no different to a lot of the guys that I’ve fought.
“But he’s probably a more experienced boxer and knows how to use his reach, so it’s something that we’ve got to work on.
“I’ve fought a lot of guys his height.
“We’ve just got to get inside. Once we get inside, it’s goodnight Irene.
“I know he’s not going to make it easy, but it’s just something that we’ve got to do, at short quarters.”
Leapai was convinced Klitschko would go into survival mode once he felt the Australian’s renowned punching power.
“He’s just a little bit taller than me, but he’s got a weakness and come April 26, we will expose that weakness,” Leapai said.
“I still feel that he hasn’t fought anybody over the last 10 years that has come to fight, that has come to take it off him.
“I just feel that it’s time for us Australians. It’s our time and I feel that once he feels what I’ve got, it’s all going to change.
“I’m just so determined to put Australia on the map and make history.”
A driver by trade, Leapai will be able to train full-time in the leadup to the biggest fight of his life due to help from his sponsor, Oxmar Properties.
“I get the opportunity now to train three times a day, before it was only two hours a day,” Leapai said.
“The main thing I’m focusing on is being fit and strong for this fight, just getting the right sparring partners too.”
WBO/IBO/WBA/IBF heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko has signed off on his contract to face WBO mandatory challenger Alex Leapai on April 26th in Oberhausen, Germany. Leapai became the mandatory challenger last year with a huge upset decision win over previous mandatory, and then undefeated, Denis Boytsov. Even with the huge upset, Leapai is coming into the fight as a huge underdog.
http://www.boxingscene.com/photo-w-klitschko-inks-contract-face-leapai-4-26–74309
WBO cruiserweight Marco Huck has said he wants to step up to the heavyweight division to face Wladimir Klitschko, who holds four of the five world title belts. Huck, 29, defended his WBO crown with a sixth round knock-out of 43-year-old challenger Firat Arslan in Stuttgart on Saturday.
Huck wants another shot at a heavyweight title and his coach Ulli Wegner has said his fighter will be a champion in the division by the end of the year.
“My desire is to fight against the best in the world. And I hope the chance to fight Klitschko will now finally come,” Huck told SID.
Huck has already had a shot at a world title – when he lost on points to Russia’s Alexander Povetkin for the WBA heavyweight belt in February 2012.
“When I’m in top shape, no one in the world can beat me,” insisted Huck.
“Neither at cruiserweight nor at heavyweight. I can only beat myelf.”
Huck tried to convince the doubters that he was capable of taking on the 37-year-old Klitschko.
“Why not?,” he asked.
“The last 30 no-names he has already fought all lost against him, but I have already fought battles that people want to see.
“They want to see a Huck show because they know that at any minute, anything can happen.”
Huck’s performance in Stuttgart backed up his words as he took control of the fight from the fourth round, then unleashed a devastating volley of punches in the sixth.
He put Arslan on the canvas twice before the referee stepped in to stop the bout with more than a minute of the round left.
Beating Arslan, who suffered the eighth defeat of his career, and dethroning Klitschko are two entirely different propositions and Huck will need the performance of his career.
Huck will be giving away four inches in height (10 cms) and having weighed in at 199.5 pounds (90 kgs) for Saturday’s fight, he would need to bulk up.
Klitschko weighed in at 241 pounds (109kgs) for his unanimous points win over Povetkin in Moscow last Octber.
But the Huck camp are certainly talking themselves up.
“Marco will be a heavyweight champion by January 1 2015,” said Huck’s trainer Wegner.
“But we are not a one-man operation and have it all cleared with our management.”
With Vitali Klitschko’s WBC heavyweight title now vacant after his move into Ukrainian politics, Huck could well challenge for the title.
And Wladimir Klitschko, who holds the WBA, WBO, IBF and IBO belts, has vowed to keep the WBC title in the family.
http://www.boxingscene.com/huck-focuses-attention-on-moving-up-facing-klitschko–74047
By Edward Chaykovsky
WBO/IBO/WBA/IBF heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko (61-3, 51KOs) has brushed off the trash talk from undefeated contender Tyson Fury (21-0, 15KOs). Fury recently lashed out at Klitschko, claiming the unified champ was ducking him and taking on poor opposition. Klitschko says his management have tried to secure Fury for several dates, but Fury’s team says the boxer is not ready for such a task.
“We’ve been asking Tyson Fury about the fight and his team keeps saying he’s not ready yet, I am not done yet. I am not sure if it was from him but definitely from his management team. I think that such a fight against Fury that if he will continue to be successful will happen and I feel kind also bad that this fight with Tyson Fury and David Haye didn’t work [out], because of the injury to David Haye, but I think it would of been an interesting fight,” Klitschko told On The Ropes Boxing Radio.
http://www.boxingscene.com/klitschko-tyson-fury-fight-eventually-happen–73036
Alex Leapai’s management wants to stage his looming WBO heavyweight world title bout against Wladimir Klitschko in Asia, where the Queensland slugger is known as the “Australian Mike Tyson”.
Leapai returned home on Tuesday after last weekend upsetting number one contender Denis Boytsov in Germany in a world title eliminator, despite suffering a calf injury in the seventh round.
The victory earned the 34-year-old fighter a crack at the formidable Klitschko.
Leapai’s trainer and manager Noel Thornberry expects the bout to take place between April and June.
“We’re hoping to bring it to Asia, as long as it pays well for everybody,” Thornberry said.
“I don’t think the Klitschkos will be too upset either, because it will introduce them to a new market.
“We’ve been doing a little bit over in Macau and Alex has actually had two fights in Asia.
“He’s got an enormous following over there, they call him the Australian Mike Tyson.
“When he got over there, you couldn’t walk up the street because people were mobbing him.
“After his first win over there they had to get a police escort to get him back to the dressing room from the ring.”
He said an ultrasound revealed Leapai had suffered two tears of his calf.
Thornberry expects his charge to resume full boxing training around mid-January.
“The good news is they don’t think it’s going to require any surgery,” Thornberry said.
“We’ll probably take two weeks of complete rest and then start back in with some core strength and conditioning and flexibility.”
While Klitschko will enjoy a huge 15cm height advantage over Leapai, the Australian has proven he can knock down tall timber.
In 2011, he unleashed a savage uppercut to knockout 207cm Russian giant Evgeny Orlov, a sparring partner of Klitschko.
“With the right preparation we’re very confident he’s going to do it (beat Klitschko),” Thornberry said.
Wladimir Klitschko defended his WBA, IBF and WBO world heavyweight titles with victory over Alexander Povetkin by unanimous decision.
Russian Povetkin, who was unbeaten before the fight, was put down on three occasions in the seventh round and never really troubled the champion.
Tale of the tape
| Klitschko | Povetkin | |
|---|---|---|
| 6’6″ | Height | 6’2” |
| 81” | Reach | 75” |
| 37 | Age | 34 |
| 64 | Fights | 27 |
| 61 | Wins | 26 |
| 3 | Defeats | 1 |
| 51 | KOs | 1 |
All three judges scored the fight 119-104 in 37-year-old Klitschko’s favour.
Klitschko has made 15 defences in his second spell as champion and has won 61 of his 64 professional fights.
“That was a tough bit of work, he’s a real fighter,” said Klitschko.
“I kept landing the punches, but he stayed in there.
“I believe it was a deserved win, but I think I can improve still.”
Klitschko quickly established his dominance and put Povetkin down with a short left towards the end of the season round.
With Klitschko’s jab working well, the challenger struggled to get close and was never able to build momentum.
Klitschko produced a fierce onslaught in the seventh, sending the Russian to the canvas on three occasions, although he looked to have pushed Povetkin over for two of those.
Seemingly content to coast through the rest of the fight, Klitschko was docked a point for once again throwing Povetkin to the ground in the 11th round.
Povetkin continued to battle, even after the final bell, but Klitschko’s victory never looked in doubt.
“Things didn’t quite go as well as I wanted, but I never give up,” said Povetkin.
“Of course, he was the better fighter, he’s the best in the world, that’s clear.”
Date: Saturday, October 5, 2013
WBO Heavyweight Championship
Location: Olimpiyskiy, Moscow, Russia
Promoter: K2 Promotions/Hrunov Promotion
Supervisor: Igor Mazurov
Referee: Luis Pabon
Judges: Ted Gimza, Glen Feldman, Philliplpe Vebeke
Results: Wladimir Klitschko retains the WBO/IBF/WBA Heavyweight Title against Alexander Povetkin by UD; the scores 119-104 on all three cards of Judges.
Emanuel Steward & Wladimir Klitschko
By: Pedro Fernandez –
KLITSCHKO TO MAKE “ANOTHER” STATEMENT
San Francisco, CA– Nothing is more intimidating than “size” when it comes to heavyweights. While I rate Larry Holmes #1 historically, the “Easton Assassin” might end up being displaced by current WBO & linear champion Wladimir Klitschko as the Ukrainian native has amassed an almost unequaled status in 17 years of boxing. And before anybody pitches a bitch about opposition, you can’t here as the younger Klitschko brother has beaten everybody put in front of him with “gusto,” but only after the late Emanuel Steward taught Wlad how to fight.
WBO “FIGHTER OF THE YEAR” WAS IN TRAINING
It was just last month in Budapest, Hungary, at the WBO’s 26th Boxing Congress where I announced Wladimir as the “WBO Fighter of The Year,” an award WBO President Francisco Valcarcel will give to him prior to this Saturday’s bout in Moscow against unbeaten Russian Alexander Povetkin. It truly is a fitting honor seeing Wladimir is now 60-3 with 50 guys leaving the ring earlier than they had hoped. A professional since winning Olympic Gold in 1996, Wlad has had went 19-2 in WBO title fights alone. With the expected win over Povetkin Saturday, Wlad will be eclipsing Larry Holmes’ 19 defenses of the linear title, which is second only to Joe Louis’ magic number of 25.
LEARNED TO FIGHT “BIG & SMART” UNDER STEWARD
As alluded to in paragraph one, the 6’7 Klitschko, younger brother of WBC titleholder Vitali Klitschko, fights tall and with his height, reach, conditioning and longevity, may in fact be the greatest heavyweight champion in history. Seeing I tend to rate the “retired,” the still active Klitschko brothers won’t be given their final rating until it is all said and done.
WLADIMIR HAD “TITANIC” LIKE CRACKS DEFENSIVELY
When I watched him early on with the late Kronk Gym Goldfather Emanuel Steward, like the 2004 DaVaryll Williamson fight in Las Vegas, Klitschko, not the confident fighter he is today, was instead a bit apprehensive with the former US amateur stand out and got dropped. There is no way I thought that Wlad, then in his eighth year as a professional would improve to the point where I’d be saying that at the end of his day, might be the greatest heavyweight champion in history.
NO MORE LEAKS IN THE KLITSCHKO HULL
The people that rap Wladimir say he was drilled thrice, the initial time by Ross Puritty, whom he ran out of gas against. The losses to Lamon (Don’t call him Lamont) Brewster and the late Corrie Sanders were two occasions where Wlad was slightly unfocused and got hit with punches he didn’t see incoming. The improvement, again credit goes to Emanuel Steward, will surely be in play Saturday when he hammers Povetkin at will until the fight is stopped somewhere before round nine.
Two Olympic champions will collide on Saturday night at Olympic Stadium in Moscow, Russia. WBA/IBO/WBO/IBF heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko and undefeated mandatory challenger Alexander Povetkin held open workout sessions in Moscow. The two fighters have been scheduled to fight each other at least twice since 2008 with the match getting canceled both times.
http://www.boxingscene.com/photos-klitschko-povetkin-open-workouts-moscow–70188
By Alexey Sukachev –
Nearly 150 reporters from all over the globe (but mostly from Moscow, which surely doesn’t come as surprise) filled in the Mary Jane restaurant on the shores of the Moscow River to see the kick-off for the heavyweight showdown between the reigning Super WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO champion Wladimir Klitschko and his perennial challenger and WBA (“regular”) titleholder Alexander Povetkin. The fight between two Olympic super heavyweight gold medalists is penciled to take place on October 5 at Olimpiyskiy Palace of Sports under the Andrey Ryabinskiy promotion, represented by the bid-winner Hrunov Promotions.
Present at the scene were: Wladimir Klitschko, Alexander Povetkin, Andrey Ryabinskiy, Povetkin’s head coach Alexander Zimin, BDB president Thomas Putz, Wladimir’s manager Berndt Boente and PBFR vice-president Anatoly Petrov.
The presser took over an hour with local media being especially active not only in boxing Q&A but also asking the competitors about some stuff outside the pugilism. Both parties were friendly and polite but Team Povetkin looked a bit too nervous in comparison with the relaxed champion. While Wladimir was as articulate as usual, Alexander, his new wife sitting in a front row against the presidium (alongside Chris Meyer of Sauerland Event and his former guider Vladimir Hryunov), was short on words – also as usual.
Here are the most interesting quotes.
Wladimir Klitschko: “I’m very glad to greet you here in Moscow. My elder brother Vitali already fought in the Russian capital a year ago, and now it’s my turn and I’m totally delighted to battle Alexander in his homeland. A record-breaking array of reporters tells me how big this contest really is. I’m definitely pumped up and willing to show my best game at the fight time”.
About his trainer, “I continue working with Johnathon Banks. Well, his recent fight (against Seth Mitchell) wasn’t a success to say the least but he is a much better trainer than he is a boxer. His help was very valuable to me (as were his advices), when Manny (Steward) has gone. He is doing a great job, and he will be a chief coach in my corner on Oct. 5”.
About his attitude to Povetkin and drawing black eyes on Alexander’s silhouette three years ago, “It was what it was. When Team Povetkin didn’t appear for a presser in Germany, I was really embarrassed. Really! I don’t have any bad feelings to Alexander and there’s no bad blood between me and him. I wish him all the best during his training camp. I see he is trimmed and ready for the biggest fight of his career, and I would like to see the top Povetkin when the bell rings”.
About his strongest opponent: “I couldn’t point out a single one. Alexander Povetkin will definitely be one of the most dangerous. I remember him fighting in one of my undercards (against Friday Ahunanya before Wladimir vs. Chris Byrd). Manny Steward came to me soon thereafter and told me: “Look at this guy! He is a good boxer, and he very well can be your opponent somewhere in future”. Every Olympic super heavyweight gold medalist looks after his successors and I’m no exception”
About his feelings towards Povetkin, “There’s no confrontation. Not at all. I was rooting for Alexander during his bout versus Andrzej Wawrzyk. I was very impressed with his boxing”.
About a rematch clause in the contract, “Sorry, such things are parts of the fight agreement, and I cannot disclose such details”.
Alexander Povetkin: “The fight is finally on, and I can’t wait. It’ll be a world-class event, and I hope to show the best of Alexander Povetkin”.
About his attitude to Klitschko and him drawing black eyes on Alexander’s silhouette three years ago, “It doesn’t bother me at all. I’m not into it. I think he was a bit disappointed but I’m not taking this for an offense. I respect Wladimir”.
About his preparations, “The first stage, which has taken place in Kyrgyzstan, is over. My team is well equipped and I also hope that Kostya Tszyu will join it at one of the moments”.
About his feelings towards Wladimir, “To tell the truth, I consider Russian, Belarussian and Ukrainian peoples to be parts of a single nation. I always root for fraternal Slavic sportsmen, and Wladimir is no exception”.
Andrey Ryabinskiy – “I’m totally delighted that we have brought this fight to Moscow. It’s not about money. 24 billions isn’t what I’m complaining for. It’s about developing Russian boxing into a real power across the world. Please, come on Oct. 5 to see a fantastic event”
About the undercard, “It’ll be announced later, but cruiserweights Rakhim Chakhkiev (16-1, 12 KOs) and Grigory Drozd (36-1, 25 KOs) will definitely be parts of it. I’m also working to bring former WBA heavyweight champion Ruslan Chagaev (31-2-1, 20 KOs) to the event”.
About anti-doping policy and about NADA taking the drug tests, “I’m fully ensured that NADA specialists are of the highest class and dignity. But I cannot reveal any details of the anti-doping policy due to non-disclosure agreement”.
About the certain local sanctioning body, working the bout, “This is the same with this one – I cannot reveal this item of our agreement”.
About tickets, “They are coming for sale in about a week. I ordered that prices would vary not a bit. Everyone should have a chance to see a fight of this caliber regardless of its wealth. Hence there will be not only high-priced but also cheap tickets for everymen”.
About worldwide broadcast, “We have reached an agreement with HBO to air this fight overseas. It’ll be also televised by RTL in Germany and I’m looking for more TV channels around the globe to by this event in the nearest future”.
http://www.boxingscene.com/klitschko-povetkin-discuss-their-batlle-moscow-russia–68578
Moscow, Russia – IBO/WBO/IBF/WBA unified heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko of Ukraine, left, and WBA “regular” heavyweight champion Alexander Povetkin of Russia, went face to face at their news conference as they officially announced their anticipated showdown. Klitschko will face Povetkin at Olympic Stadium in Moscow on Oct. 5.
\http://www.boxingscene.com/photos-klitschko-povetkin-go-face-face-moscow–68563
By Ruslan Chikov –
Top rated Russian light heavyweight contender Sergey Kovalev (21-0-1, 19KOs) is backing his countryman, Alexander Povetkin (26-0, 18KOs), to defeat WBA/IBO/IBF/WBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko (60-3, 51KOs) on October 5th at Olimpiyskiy stadium. Kovalev knows the possibility of Povetkin winning is distant, but the opportunities will be there if Povetkin comes prepared. Klitschko-Povetkin is viewed as the biggest boxing event to ever take place on Russian soil.
“I would like to see our ‘Russian Knight’ win. The chances are there. But, honestly, it will be very hard to accomplish. Klitschko is great from a distance and does not allow you to get close to him. I believe the [Klitschko] brothers climbed to the top thanks to their physical dimensions – height, long arms. I do not like the style of Klitschko, but the results [in the ring] are phenomenal,” Kovalev said.
“What about Alexander? Yes, he’s not Mike Tyson. He does not have explosive speed. But there is a character [in his style]. I think Alexander will take risks. Well, boxing – it is not checkers: in boxing one punch can decide the outcome of the match. A single blow. And Klitschko is not invincible. If you remember he has been beaten and more than once. I’ll be rooting for Alexander.”
http://www.boxingscene.com/kovalev-klitschko-not-invincible-im-backing-povetkin–67432
By Luke Furman
A deal has been reached, and the contracts have been signed, for the batttle of Olympic gold medal winners. WBA/IBO/IBF/WBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko (60-3, 51KOs) will defend his titles against mandatory challenger Alexander Povetkin (26-0, 18KOs) on October 5th at Olimpiyskiy stadium. Both promoters confirmed the news in a press release. Promoter Vladimir Hryunov secured the promotional rights with a huge $23 million dollar bid at the purse bid.
Bernd Boente, manager of Klitschko, confirmed the news.
“I am grateful to our Russian partners – Andrew Ryabinsky and Vladimr Hryunov for their cooperation in the realization of this great battle. Despite the long and arduous negotiations, both sides had the desire and willingness to reach an agreement. And now we can work together to provide one of the best fights that can be made to boxing fans around the world. We have all been waiting for this meeting for a long time and finally we reached the finish line. This will be an incredible fight – the battle of two Olympic champions, two heavyweight champions, two great athletes,” Boente said.
For his part, Klitschko said:
“I am very pleased that the fight has been set. Boxing fans around the world eagerly await the meeting of two Olympians. This fight will be between the best in the heavyweight division and I am impressed by the fact that it will be held in Moscow, because many Russian and Ukrainian fans have the chance to attend the live event. The atmosphere will be an exciting event,” Wladimir said.
And Hyrunov closed with the following:
“Moscow will host a fantastic boxing match, which will be seen by millions of eyes and cheered by hearts of millions all over the world – there’s no doubt about it,” said Hryunov.
http://www.boxingscene.com/klitschko-povetkin-official-contracts-signed-10-5–67245
Ukrainian heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko (L) hits Italian-born challenger Francesco Pianeta during their IBO, IBF, WBO, WBA title fight in Mannheim. Picture: Daniel Rowland Source: AFP
–WORLD heavyweight boxing champion Wladimir Klitschko has defended his WBA, WBO, IBF and IBO belts, outclassing challenger Francesco Pianeta with a sixth-round knockout to register the 60th win of his career.
Although German-Italian Pianeta, who survived testicular cancer three years ago, came into the bout undefeated from 29 fights, he was outclassed by the 37-year-old champion at Mannheim in south-west Germany.
“I want to thank my opponent. There are a lot of challengers who talk a lot, but he got in the ring and fought bravely,” said Klitschko.
After Pianeta fought on, despite first hitting the canvas in the fourth round, the champion paid further tribute to the challenger’s courage.
Ukrainian heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko (L) hits Italian-born challenger Francesco Pianeta during their IBO, IBF, WBO, WBA title fight in Mannheim. Picture: Daniel Rowland Source: AFP
“After the battle he has had against cancer, he deserves respect,” said Klitschko.
“He tried everything to hit me. If he had landed one of his big punches, I wouldn’t have got up.”
Pianeta made an ambitious start with one huge right-hand coming over the top of Klitschko’s guard but failing to connect, while the champion responded with two heavy jabs which found their target.
Klitschko relied on his jab in the opening three rounds as the challenger landed several heavy shots, but a big right from the Ukrainian put Pianeta on the floor in the fourth round.
From then on, the challenger was struggling to stay in the fight and, although he showed plenty of heart by fighting on, he was down again in the fifth, but managed to survive the count.
With his coordination compromised, it was only a matter of time before the fight was brought to an end.
With his trainer ready to throw in the towel, Pianeta did not come up again after hitting the canvas after 2mins 52 seconds of the sixth round following a brutal left-right combination which floored him.
“I’m ok, just very disappointed and sad,” added Pianeta after receiving treatment in the ring.
Ukrainian heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko (L) hits Italian-born challenger Francesco Pianeta during their IBO, IBF, WBO, WBA title fight in Mannheim. Picture: Daniel Rowland Source: AFP
Victory gave Klitschko the 51st knockout of his career, but the last of his three defeats came nearly a decade ago.
For his next fight, Klitschko has been ordered by the World Boxing Association to face Russia’s Alexander Povetkin in Moscow on August 31.
B: Mike Chiari
Boxing fans and pundits everywhere fully expected Wladimir Klitschko to successfully retain his WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, IBO and The Ring Heavyweight Championships against Francesco Pianeta on Saturday, and that is precisely what happened as “Dr. Steelhammer” won by way of sixth-round knockout.
The fight, which was staged at SAP Arena in Mannheim, Germany, had a party atmosphere and was packed to the guilds. Klitschko simply has that type of drawing power in Europe, as David Haye so eloquently put it for ESPN UK.
Pianeta entered the fight with an impressive 28-0-1 record, but many of his victories were over low-level talent or former stars past their prime such as Oliver McCall and Francois Botha. Klitschko was the bigger man as he always is and he used the height and weight advantage to perfection.
With the win, Klitschko picked up his 60th career victory — 52nd by knockout — and was successful in a title defense for the 14th consecutive time. According to ESPN Boxing, Klitschko has now won the third-most world heavyweight title fights of all time with 21.
Here is how each of the six rounds broke down as Klitschko was dominant yet again, but Pianeta showed plenty of heart ind defeat.
Round 1
Klitschko and Pianeta set the stage for a cat-and-mouse affair in the first round as there was plenty of gamesmanship involved. The Italian challenger attempted to get inside and land some meaningful punches, but the 6’6″ Klitschko used his jab to hold Pianeta at bay.
Whenever Klitschko landed a couple strong blows in a row, Pianeta made sure to wrap him up and prevent further damage. While neither man was overly impressive in the round, the champion clearly looked better.
Round 2
Klitschko had his way with Pianeta in the second round as he measured him with his left hand constantly and landed right hands up the middle. He seemed to rock Pianeta at one point as the challenger backed into the ropes, but Pianeta gestured toward his arm to suggest that Dr. Steelhammer didn’t hurt him.
Although Pianeta tried to battle back, he couldn’t break through with anything of note. There wasn’t as much clutching and grabbing, as Pianeta was more aggressive but it didn’t work to his advantage.
Round 3
Although Klitschko was once again the better fighter in the third round, Pianeta acquitted himself much better. Rather than waiting around and allowing the champion to pick him apart, Pianeta started to throw more punches. Most of Pianeta’s attempts were wild bombs, but he did manage to catch Klitschko flush in the side of the face with a left-hook haymaker.
Klitschko didn’t appear to be hurt, but it did seem to surprise him. If nothing else, it probably woke him up a bit and reminded him that he needed to be careful with a power puncher like Pianeta.
Round 4
Pianeta hit the canvas twice in the fourth round, but he was able to survive Klitschko’s barrage. The first came early in the round, but it was ruled a slip. Klitschko caught him with a strong right a little while later, however, for the first knockdown of the fight. Pianeta looked more frustrated than hurt as he got back to his feet.
Klitschko backed Pianeta into a corner, but rather than going for the kill, he seemed to back off over the final 30 seconds or so. He probably could have finished Pianeta off, but he decided to play it safe with a big lead.
Round 5
Klitschko knocked Pianeta down once again in the fifth, but the challenger found a way to make it to the sixth round. Pianeta wasn’t rattled by the knockdown, but his will appeared to be broken as he went in defense mode for the rest of the round. Rather than trying to battle back, he was simply trying to survive.
There were one or two occasions when Pianeta tried a couple wild haymakers, and he was lucky that Klitschko didn’t make him pay. It was hard to imagine that Pianeta could go on like this for much longer than he already had.
Round 6
After playing with fire for a few rounds, Pianeta finally got burned in the sixth. The challenger did everything he could to mount a comeback, but Klitschko’s reach was too much to overcome. In fact, his constant measuring with his left hand was illegal, yet the official never made him stop. Even so, it’s unlikely that Pianeta could have done much against the champion.
Klitschko seemed to knock the wind out of Pianeta with a body shot and then he finished him off with a combination. Pianeta was clearly dazed, but he tried to get to his feet anyway with help from the ropes. He seemed willing to continue, but the referee did the right thing by stopping it.
It was blatantly obvious throughout the fight that Klitschko had the upper hand and was landing the better punches, but everything was truly put into perspective by CompuBox. According to the statistics, Klitschko landed over 90 more punches than Pianeta did over the course of the bout.
Pianeta often had to resort to wild haymakers due to Klitschko’s length advantage, and very few of them ultimately landed. The challenger only connected with one loud shot, but he was unable to follow it up with anything of note, so Klitschko pressed forward.
Despite being 37 years of age, Klitschko continues to dominate the moribund heavyweight division. There don’t seem to be any viable contenders out there, so it will be interesting to see what Klitschko does moving forward.
Date: May 4, 2013
WBO Heavyweight Championship Title Bout
Location: SAP-Arena, Mannheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany
Promoter: K2 Promotions/SES Sport Events Steinforth
Referee: Ernie Sharif
Judges: Patricia Morse Jarman, John Lawson, and Roberto Ramirez, Sr.
Supervisor: Francisco Valcarcel, Esq.
Results: Wladimir Klitschko TKO’ed Francesco Pianeta in the sixth round, Time: 2:52.
By Scott Christ –
Photo: Dennis Grombkowski –
Wladimir Klitschko once again had no trouble in the ring, as he powered through Francesco Pianeta in six rounds today in Germany.
It went as expected in Mannheim, Germany, as Wladimir Klitschko easily retained his WBA, IBF, and WBO world heavyweight titles against overmatched Francesco Pianeta, winning a sixth round stoppage after his third knockdown of the fight.
Klitschko (60-3, 51 KO) was clearly better than Pianeta (28-1-1, 15 KO) from the get-go, handling the first three rounds as he always does, looking mainly to use his jab, or his poking, extended left hand, to set up a right hand bomb. He first knocked Pianeta down in the fourth round on a right, then again in the fifth on a left hook, and he finished the Italian late in the sixth round, beating Pianeta down to the canvas.
Pianeta did get to his feet, but referee Ernie Sharif rightly called a halt to the bout, which had become, as usual, completely uncompetitive in Klitschko’s favor.
From here, Wladimir will likely move on to a September bout with Alexander Povetkin, possibly in Ukraine. Vladimir Hryunov’s $23 million purse bid makes that fight seem probable, if indeed he can put down that sort of money. And if not, Klitschko’s K2 Promotions came in second on the bid, meaning they’d have the rights to it.
El campeón mundial pesado de la Federación Internacional de Boxeo (FIB), la Organización Mundial de Boxeo (OMB), y la Asociación Mundial de Boxeo (AMB), el ucraniano Wladimir Klitschko , se enfrentará al invicto italiano Francesco Pianeta, intentando defender por decimocuarta ocasión su corona FIB, décima la OMB, y cuarta la AMB, en el combate estelar de la velada que se desarrollará en la noche del sábado en el SAP-Arena de Mannheim, Alemania, y que será televisada en vivo por DirecTV Sports (canal 610 de DirecTV) desde las 16 para Argentina y gran parte de América.
A los 36 años, el menor de los hermanos, Wladimir (59-3, 51 KOs), intentará revalidar su condición de monarca ecuménico que ostenta desde abril de 2006 (cuando conquistó el cetro FIB), ante Pianeta (28-0-1, 15 KOs), 8 años menor, criado en tierras germanas y radicado en Gelsenkirchen, Alemania, quien tras haber sido monarca europeo EBU completo y ser el actual N° 7 del ranking mundial pesado OMB, N° 12 AMB, y N° 15 en la FIB, -no figura en el Consejo Mundial de Boxeo (WBC)-, tendrá su primera oportunidad mundialista.
En la tarde del viernes, ambos superaron lógicamente la ceremonia de pesaje, dejando todo listo para su enfrentamiento.
Klitschko registró 113 kg. -249.1 libras-.
En tanto Pianeta marcó 109 kg. -240.3 libras-.
Cabe remarcar que Wladimir recibió permiso especial de la AMB -que lo tiene como súper campeón mundial- para realizar esta defensa, dado que previamente había ordenado que se enfrentara al ruso Alexander Povetkin, actual monarca mundial regular de la entidad, con quien debe medirse en pelea mandatoria para designar al único campeón completo de su organismo. El permiso se concedió bajo la condición de recibir, en las oficinas de la AMB, el contrato firmado por Klitschko y Povetkin que tenía como fecha límite el 28 de febrero de 2013. Una vez hecho esto, la batalla entre ambos deberá ser fijada como máximo el 31 de julio.
El menor de los hermanos Klitschko, nacido en Solnechnoye, Kazajstán, hace 36 años, pero nacionalizado ucraniano, irá por la cuarta defensa de los tres cinturones, luego de retener en fallo unánime sobre el polaco Mariusz Wach, el 10 de noviembre en Altona, Alemania, liquidar en seis capítulos al estadounidense Tony Thompson, el 7 de julio en Berna, Suiza, y noquear en el tercer asalto al francés Jean Marc Mormeck el pasado 3 de marzo en Düsseldorf, Alemania. Y previo a ello, le había arrebatado al inglés David Haye su cetro AMB, en un combate unificatorio donde también defendió el FIB y el OMB, el 2 de julio de 2011 en Altona, Alemania. Pero su historial como monarca data de mucho antes, dado que el 22 de abril de 2006 conquistó su cinto FIB, noqueando técnicamente en siete a asaltos al estadounidense Chris Byrd. Tras retenerlo ante los también estadounidenses Calvin Brock, Ray Austin y Lamon Brewster, se alzó con el OMB, al destronar al ruso Sultan Ibragimov, el 23 de febrero de 2008 en el Madison Square Garden de Nueva York. Luego llegaron las defensas frente a los estadounidenses Tony Thompson y Hasim Rahman, el uzbeko Ruslan Chagaev, el estadounidense Eddie Chambers, el nigeriano Samuel Peter, hasta el mencionado duelo ante Haye.
En tanto Pianeta, nacido en Cosenza, Calabria, criado en tierras germanas y radicado en Gelsenkirchen, Alemania, fue campeón europeo pesado EBU al vencer por nocaut técnico en el octavo asalto al galés Scott Gammer, el 30 de agosto de 2008 en Prenzlauer Berg, Berlín, Alemania, cetro que defendió sobre el francés Johann Duhaupas (DU 12), el polaco Albert Sosnowski (empate) -quien fue noqueado por Vitali Klitschko, y el inglés Matt Skelton (KOT 8), el 19 de septiembre de 2009. Tras ello, hilvanó nueve victorias consecutivas, ante rivales de menor envergadura, entre los que se destacan el veterano ex campeón mundial estadounidense Oliver McCall (DU 10), el experimentado ex retador mundialista sudafricano Frans Botha (DU 10) -noqueado en ocho por Wladimir-, y el argentino Nelson Domínguez, a quien noqueó técnicamente en el primer round, el pasado 16 de noviembre en Magdeburg, Alemania, en lo que fue su última presentación.
Las autoridades designadas son: el árbitro será el estadounidense Ernest Sharif. Los jueces serán los estadounidenses Patricia Morse Jarman y John Lawson, y el puertorriqueño Roberto Ramírez Sr. El supervisor de la OMB para este encuentro será el propio presidente de la entidad, el puertorriqueño Francisco “Paco” Valcárcel. En tanto el supervisor de la AMB será el danés Jesper Jensen.
En el otro combate titular de la noche, la campeona mundial mediana de la OMB, la invicta alemana Christina Hammer (13-0, 7 KOs), subirá de división y se enfrentará a la imbatida húngara Zita Zatyko (15-0-1, 11 KOs), en disputa del título mundial supermediano de la OMB, que se encuentra vacante.
En combate complementario, que se desarrollará en categoría pesado, el invicto radicado en Cork, Irlanda, Mike Pérez (18-0, 12 KOs), se medirá al estadounidense Travis Walker (39-9-1, 31 KOs), a la distancia de diez asaltos.
Resultados del pesaje:
Wladimir Klitschko 249.1 lbs. vs. Francesco Pianeta 240.3 lbs.
Christina Hammer 162.5 lbs. vs. Zita Zatyko 166.5 lbs.
Título mundial supermediano OMB vacante
Mike Pérez 234 lbs. vs. Travis Walker 260 lbs.
Hizni Altunkaya 205 lbs. vs. Gyuli Bozai 196 lbs.
Moritz Stahl 169.7 lbs. vs. Oleg Fedotovs 77 169.7 lbs.
Escenario: SAP-Arena de Mannheim, Alemania.
Promotor: K2 Promotions y Sport Events Steinforth.
TV: DirecTV Sports (Argentina y parte de América), RTL (Alemania) y EPIX (Estados Unidos).
http://www.notifight.com/artman2/publish/Reporte_7/Wladimir_y_Pianeta_pesados_en_Mannheim.php