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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 este sábado en el SAP-Arena de Mannheim, Alemania.

En la tarde del miércoles, en la sede del combate, ambos exhibieron sus habilidades en un entrenamiento público realizado en el Centro de Entrenamiento Olímpico de Heildelberg, Alemania. Ante cerca de 800 fanáticos, ambos se movieron durante largo tiempo luciendo su buena forma y movimientos, y se mostraron respetuosos pero sumamente seguros de cara a su duelo titular donde se espera un lleno total.

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° 9 del ranking mundial pesado OMB, N° 12 AMB y N° 23 del Consejo Mundial de Boxeo (WBC) -no aparece ranqueado en la FIB-, tendrá su primera oportunidad mundialista.

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.

“Tengo un gran respeto por Pianeta. Es joven y es un zurdo incómodo con un gran espíritu de lucha”, dijo Klitschko sobre el italiano, quien sufrió un cáncer en los testículos a principios de 2010, y este será su octavo combate desde que superó la enfermedad.

“Pianeta ha hecho todo lo posible por alcanzar sus objetivos. Ya me han advertido y estoy preparando el combate seriamente con mi equipo”, agregó el nacido en Solnechnoye, Kazajstán, pero nacionalizado ucraniano, quien viene de derrotar en fallo unánime al polaco Mariusz Wach, el 10 de noviembre en Altona, Alemania.

En tanto el retador, agradeció la oportunidad y dejó en claro que llega listo para dar la sorpresa y llevarse la corona a casa.

El menor de los hermanos Klitschko, 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.

http://www.notifight.com/artman2/publish/Reporte_7/Wladimir_y_Pianeta_con_todo_para_s_bado.php

wladimir-klitschko (6)CROP-horzPIANETA

Mannheim, Germany – Undefeated challenger and cancer survivor Francesco Pianeta has vowed to shock undisputed world heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko when the pair meet on Saturday night with the Ukrainian’s four world titles on the line.

The 37-year-old Klitschko will defend his WBA, WBO, IBF and IBO belts in Mannheim, south-west Germany, against German-Italian Pianeta, from Gelsenkirchen, who survived testicular cancer three years ago and has an unblemished record of 28 wins and one draw.

“I will bust my backside to get those belts. I am sure that everyone is beatable,” said the 28-year-old Pianeta, who has a tattoo bearing Julius Caesar’s famous phrase “veni, vidi, vici” – “I came, I saw, I conquered”.

Klitschko is looking for the 60th win of his career and having put in 143 sparring rounds in preparation, he said he is ready.

“I’m as ready as I always am, but I will not underestimate him,” said Klitschko, who has used Pianeta as a sparring partner in previous years and has a record of 59 wins, 50 KOs, and three loses.

“It is the opportunity of a lifetime and he has already won his toughest fight, because he has defeated cancer.”

A crowd of 13,000 is expected in Mannheim and the fight will be broadcast in 150 countries, but Klitschko wants a quick knock-out.

“I will give everything for a clear win,” he said.

A Klitschko victory, and one for ‘regular’ WBA belt-holder Alexander Povetkin of Russia, would see the pair meet in Moscow on August 31 at the city’s 60,000-seater Olympic Hall.

Russian promoter Vladimir Hryunov won the purse bid to stage that bout with a staggering $23.33 million bid last week.

As the real champion, the Ukrainian is entitled to 75 percent of that figure, which would give him a career-high $17,250,000 purse.

Confusingly, Povetkin is the ‘regular’ WBA champion and Klitschko the organisation’s ‘super’ champion – an honour bestowed on him when he united the WBA belt to his three others following a victory against David Haye in 2011 – but they are obliged to fight in order to leave just a single WBA belt-holder.

The two former Olympic champions were due to clash twice before but Povetkin pulled out in 2008 because of injury and then backed out inexplicably a second time in 2010.

Klitschko has banned any questions about the possible Povetkin fight – ”I am not going to answer any more questions on this subject. That would be disrespectful to Francesco” – and has said his dream is to fight at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

Having won super-heavyweight gold at the 1996 Atlanta Games, Klitschko will have turned 40 by the time the next Summer Olympics come round, but the World Association of Amateur Boxers (AIBA) has not ruled out the idea, even though he will be too old to fight under the current rules.

“The AIBA has heard the dream of Wladimir Klitschko,” AIBA spokesman Sebastien Gillot told SID, an AFP subsidiary.

http://www.boxingscene.com/w-klitschko-says-he-not-underestimating-pianeta–65047

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Wladimir Klitschko and Francesco Pianeta held their open work out at the Olympics Training Center in Heidelberg (Germany). Over 800 fans showed up to watch both fighters showing off their boxing skills in preparation for their heavyweight championship fight this Saturday, May 4. IBF, WBA, WBO, IBO and “Ring Magazine” Champion Klitschko and his contender Francesco Pianeta will face off at the SAP arena in Mannheim, Germany.

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The fight will be shown live on RTL in Germany. EPIX will show the fight in the US.

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Remaining tickets for the fight night are available on www.saparena.de and via phone under +49-621-18190-333.

http://www.boxingnews24.com/2013/03/burns-v-gonzales/

 

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Wladimir Klitschko’s fight with Francesco Pianeta is live on ESPN this Saturday. Click here for details on how to subscribe

Wladimir Klitschko has vowed not to underestimate Francesco Pianeta on Saturday night – but promises to teach the Italian a lesson in the ring.

The Ukrainian puts his WBA, WBO, IBF and IBO heavyweight titles on the line in Mannheim, Germany, on May 4, but has refused to take his challenger lightly despite being the heavy favourite to emerge victorious from the contest.

“I don’t want to and I won’t underestimate Francesco Pianeta,” Klitschko, who has produced 50 knockouts throughout his career, insisted. “I have prepared how I’ve should, because I know what to expect.”

Pianeta – based in Germany – has yet to lose in 29 bouts, and Klitschko is wary of the threat the 28-year-old will pose, but is determined to extinguish his opponent’s hopes of triumphing on the night.

“He’s a young chap who of course doesn’t know his limits. They have to be shown to him in the ring,” Klitschko added.

Klitschko enters the ring for the first time since November where he defeated Mariusz Wach by a unanimous decision, and “Dr Steelhammer” revealed he finds himself in a situation he has grown accustomed to since establishing himself as the champion he is.

“He’s very ambitious I understand. I was in the same skin and this is familiar to me, and therefore what is in his head and in his team’s is that this is the chance of his life, and of course he’ll give everything to win this fight,” he said.

“This is familiar to me, and as I’ve already said, I have been through this and seen it in others who have fought against me. They see the weaknesses in themselves, and I wish them luck with that.”

KLITSCHKOV.PIANETAPROMO

WBO Francisco “Paco” Valcarcel announced today the referee and judges who will work this Saturday’s world title fight between Wladimir Klitschko and Francesco Pianeta to be held at the SAP-Arena in Mannheim, Germany in a K2 Promotions presentation. The referee will be Ernest Sharif from United States. Judges will be Patricia Morse Jarman and John Lawson, both from United States, and Roberto Ramirez Sr., from Puerto Rico. The WBO supervisor will be Paco Valcarcel himself.

http://www.fightnews.com/Boxing/klitschko-pianeta-officials-191765

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Mariusz Wach has tested positive for anabolic steroids following his Nov. 10 loss to WBA, WBO and IBF heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko, according to the German newspaper Bild.

Wach’s A-sample has allegedly tested positive, but at this point, his B-sample has yet to be tested.

The Polish fighter is in danger of being suspended and could face heavy fines from the German Boxing Federation and the sanctioning bodies if he is guilty of having used performance-enhancing drugs in the heavyweight title fight.

2012 has certainly been a rough year for boxing, as Wach is now the fifth fighter to test positive for some sort of PED either before or following a major fight.

Other fighters who have tested positive for banned substances this year include current IBF junior welterweight titleholder Lamont Peterson along with former champions Andre Berto, Antonio Tarver and Erik Morales.

It should be noted that neither Peterson, Berto nor Morales were suspended for their infractions or had their licenses revoked.

All three of the previously listed men tested positive for tests administered by either the United States Anti-Doping Agency or the Voluntary Anti-Doping Agency, which have no affiliation with any State Commission.

It is looking more and more like these are not isolated instances and that boxing has a serious issue with PEDs.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1430874-wladimir-klitschko-opponent-mariusz-wach-reportedly-tests-positive-for-steroids

AFP / John Macdougall

Wladimir Klitschko venció al polaco Mariusz Wach, un adversario más pesado y más alto y defendió sus títulos de la Asociación Mundial, Federación Internacional y Organización Mundial de Boxeo, en una pelea celebrada el sábado en el O2 Arena en Hamburgo, Alemania.

Fue la primera pelea de Klitschko desde que su entrenador Emanuel Steward falleció el pasado 25 de octubre.

Klitschko se llevó la victoria por decisión unánime en 12 rounds. Las tarjetas de los jueces marcaron 120-107, 120-107 y 119-109 para Klitschko, que s´lo estuvo en problemas al final del quinto round, cuando Wach lo sprprendió con una gancho de derecha antes de lanzar una lluvia de golpes, fallando la mayoría.

La derrota fue la primera de Wach, que llegó a la pelea como el boxeador más alto en enfrentar al campeón ucraniano. Klitschko mide 1,98 metro (6 pies 6) y Wach 2,01 metros (6, 7 1/2) con mayor alcance de brazos.

Para Klitschko fue la pelea número 22 por un título mundial y llevó su foja a 59-3 (51 nocauts). Wach cayó a 27-1 (15) desde que se hizo profesional en el 2005.

//

Wladimir Klitschko defeated Polish Mariusz Wach, an adversary heavier and taller and defended his titles in the World Association, International Federation and World Boxing Organization, in a fight held on Saturday at the O2 Arena in Hamburg, Germany.

It was Klitschko’s first fight since his trainer Emanuel Steward passed away on October 25.

Klitschko earned the win by unanimous decision in 12 rounds. The cards of the judges scored 120-107, 120-107 and 119-109 for Klitschko, who s’lo was in trouble at the end of the fifth round, when it sprprendió Wach with a right hook before throwing a flurry of punches, failing most.

The loss was the first of Wach, who entered the fight as the fighter confront higher Ukrainian champions. Klitschko measured 1.98 meters (6 feet 6) and Wach 2.01 meters (6, 7 1/2) with wider arms.

Klitschko was fighting for number 22 for a world title and took his record to 59-3 (51 KOs). Wach fell to 27-1 (15) since turning professional in 2005.

http://espndeportes.espn.go.com/news/story?id=1655448&s=box&type=story

Date: November 10, 2012

WBO Heavyweight Championship Title Bout

Location: O2 World Arena, Altona, Hamburg, Germany

Promoter: K2 Promotions

Supervisor: John Duggan

Referee: Eddie Cotton

Judge: Adalaide Byrd (120-107) Michael Ancona (120-107) Pasquale Procopio (119-109)

Result:  Klitschko won by unanimous decision

 

OMB ANUNCIA ÁRBITROS Y JUECES PARA COMBATES DE TÍTULO MUNDIAL, ESTE SÁBADO, 10 DE NOVIEMBRE, EN ALEMANIA Y ESTADOS UNIDOS

 La Organización Mundial de Boxeo (OMB) da a conocer los oficiales que estarán trabajando este sábado, 10 de noviembre, en los combates de título mundial, que se llevarán a cabo en Alemania y en Estados Unidos.

En el O2 World Arena de Altona, Hamburgo, Alemania, el ucraniano Wladimir Klitschko (58-3, 51 KOs) expondrá por novena ocasión su título de peso completo de la OMB ante el polaco Mariusz Wach (27-0, 15 KOs), en una presentación de K2 Promotions. En este pleito, el árbitró será Edward Cotton, de Estados Unidos.

Mientras, los jueces que trabajarán en esta reyerta serán los estadounidenses Adalaide Byrd y Mike Ancona, y el canadiense Pasquale Procopio. El supervisor de la OMB para este encuentro será John Duggan.

Entretanto, en el Staples Center de Los Ángeles, California, el monarca semicompleto (175 libras) de la OMB, el británico Nathan Cleverly (24-0, 11 KOs) realizará la cuarta defensa de su correa cuando se enfrente al estadounidense Shawn Hawk (23-2, 17 KOs) en una presentación de Golden Boy Promotions. Para este choque, el tercer hombre sobre el cuadrilátero será Tony Crebs, de Estados Unidos.

Los jueces que oficiarán la pelea Cleverly-Hawk son los estadounidenses Raúl Caíz Sr., Patricia Morse Jarman y Pat Russell. El supervisor de la OMB para este combate será Richard De Cuir.

//

The World Boxing Organization (WBO) anounces the officers who will be working this Saturday, November 10, in world title bouts, which will take place in Germany and the United States.

The O2 World Arena in Altona, Hamburg, Germany, Ukrainian Wladimir Klitschko (58-3, 51 KOs) for the ninth time expose his heavyweight title against WBO Polish Mariusz Wach (27-0, 15 KOs), in a presentation of K2 Promotions. In this case, the referee will Edward Cotton, U.S..

Meanwhile, the judges who work in this brawl are Americans Adalaide Byrd and Mike Ancona, and Pasquale Procopio Canadian. WBO supervisor for this meeting will be John Duggan.

Meanwhile, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, the monarch Heavyweight (175 pounds) of the WBO, the British Nathan Cleverly (24-0, 11 KOs) will make the fourth defense of his belt when he takes on American Shawn Hawk (23-2, 17 KOs) in a presentation of Golden Boy Promotions. For this match, the third man in the ring will be Tony Crebs, U.S..

Judges who officiate the fight Cleverly-Hawk are Americans Raul Caiz Sr., Patricia Morse Jarman and Pat Russell. WBO supervisor for this fight will be Richard De Cuir.

Aleudi Rosario

Wladimir Klitschko (58-3, 51 KOs) and Mariusz Wach (27-0, 15 KOs) participated today in the fight week press conference at the Google Germany HQ in Hamburg to talk about their fight on November 10. IBF, WBA, WBO, IBO and “The Ring Magazine” Heavyweight Champion Klitschko and his undefeated Polish contender Wach will face off next Saturday at the o2 World Arena Hamburg, Germany.

Wladimir Klitschko: “It took quite a time and I have put a huge effort in getting these belts. I am 100 per cent prepared to defend my titles again and I know what I will be facing in the ring on Saturday. I will defend the titles that I won together with Emanuel Steward.”

Mariusz Wach: “I know it will be a very difficult fight but I am prepared for anything. If it’s gonna be 12 rounds, I am prepared, if it’s gonna be a technical fight I am prepared. I will do anything to get Klitschko’s titles. This fight will be very special and will be memorized by the boxing fans.”

For the first time, the press conference was also broadcasted on the official Klitschko Brothers’ Google+ page (www.google.com/+Klitschko). Fans and journalists worldwide were thus able to follow Klitschko and Wach five days before their fight.

During the press conference it was also announced that Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko, the two World Heavyweight Champions, will continue to have their fights on German TV station RTL. Bernd Bönte, Managing Director of Klitschko Management Group GmbH, and RTL Sports Chief Manfred Loppe signed a new contract for five further fights, regardless of which brother enters the ring.

KMG and RTL have been working together very successfully for six years already. In 21 fights the brothers always left the ring victorious, drawing TV crowds of up to 16 million viewers only in Germany.

Bernd Bönte: “Together we are creating great shows and neither the brothers nor myself can think of a better TV partner than RTL.”

The fight will be shown live on RTL in Germany. EPIX will show the fight in the US at 4:30 p.m. ET / 1:30 p.m. PT.

JOHANNESBURG — Heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko paid tribute to late boxer Corrie Sanders on Thursday, saying the South African made him the fighter he is today.

Klitschko said his shocking second-round knockout against Sanders to lose his WBO title in 2003 was pivotal in his later dominance of the heavyweight division.

Wladimir Klitschko

Lars Baron/Bongarts/Getty ImagesWladimir Klitschko paid tribute to the memory of Corrie Sanders, saying his loss to the South African fighter “made me tougher and it made me better.”

Sanders died last weekend after being shot by robbers during a family celebration at a restaurant in a small town in northern South Africa.

“The loss against him changed a side of my character tremendously, it made me tougher and it made me better,” the younger Klitschko brother told Eyewitness News radio in Germany. “Without my experience with Corrie I wouldn’t be the same way.”

Sanders’ emphatic defeat of Klitschko nearly a decade ago is one of only three professional defeats for the Ukrainian, who holds the WBA, IBF and minor WBO and IBO belts, and hasn’t lost a fight in eight years.

“Before and after the Corrie Sanders fight, nobody beat me the way he did,” Klitschko said.

Sanders’ death in a hospital hours after being shot by armed men who burst into his nephew’s 21st birthday celebration on Saturday led to condolence messages from many South African sports stars, television personalities and entertainers.

Klitschko brothers Vitali and Wladimir and former undisputed world heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis also talked of their sadness at the loss of the popular southpaw, who was 46.

Sanders was shot in the arm and stomach as he tried to shield his teenage daughter during the robbery.

“The boxing world will remember Corrie as a heavy hitter and a good man. I have nothing bad to say about Corrie at all,” Wladimir said.

Three suspects were arrested in connection with Sanders’ murder on Thursday. His funeral will be held Monday.

http://espn.go.com/boxing/story/_/id/8430525/beat-way-corrie-sanders-did

Heavyweight contender Mariusz Wach (27-0, 15 KO’s) is being billed by some as the fighter to end the title reign of WBA/IBF/WBO/IBO and Ring Magazine heavyweight titlist Wladimir Klitschko (58-3, 51 KO’s). Wach and “Dr. Steelhammer will clash on November 10 at the O2 World Arena in Hamburg, Germany.

Wach enthusiasts are quick to point out that “The Viking” as his fans call him, will be the first fighter who is not dwarfed by Wladimir’s sheer size.

Mariusz stands 6’7 ½” and tips the beam at roughly 250 pounds. There is no question that Wach is huge, powerful and has KO power. His knockout over journeyman Kevin McBride (35-10-1) in four rounds in July 2011 was noted by boxing observers for its brutality. In that fight Wach landed his trademark right hand and the 296 pound McBride went crashing to the floor. McBride whose only claim to fame was his stoppage of a badly faded Mike Tyson in 2005, had to be carried from the ring on a stretcher.

Wach and his supporters are buoyed by the fact that the ring giant has scored seven straight KO victories and are hopeful that he will add Wladimir to that list. Klitschko’s detractors, of which there are many, gleefully point out that Wlad’s chin is suspect and that he has already suffered three KO losses in his career.

Of course it is a good thing to have confidence as a fighter, particularly when you are embarking on the quest to defeat a heavyweight champion who has dominated the division for the last several years.

It should be pointed out however that “Dr. Steelhammer” has improved dramatically since he was stopped by the likes of Corrie Sanders, Ross Purity and Lamont Brewster.
Wladimir, pushed by his brother, did a self assessment after he suffered his 3rd KO loss. Vitali even suggested that it may be time for Wladimir to hang up the gloves and try something else.

It was at that point that Wladimir took on arguably the best trainer in boxing, Emanuel Steward. Manny worked on the areas he thought Wlad needed to improve on while helping him to refine his god given talent. The lack of proper conditioning was one of the first aspects of Klitschko’s game that Steward went to work on. Manny believed that Wladimir’s chin was not the only culprit in his KO losses. Steward felt that Klitschko’s lack of conditioning was one of the primary reasons that he was KO’d three times.

Steward turned Klitschko around and played a big part in making him the fighter he is today. For Wach to be competitive with Wladimir he needs to improve in every aspect of his game. Unfortunately “The Viking” has only competed against 2nd and 3rd tier opposition. Wach’s boxing skills and ring generalship are nowhere near that of Klitschko’s.

Wladimir will have the opportunity to demonstrate to boxing fans that it is not just his size which makes him the fighter he is. More than likely Klitschko will pick his larger opponent apart in the early rounds and after softening him up go for the KO.

By: John F. McKenna (McJack)

http://www.boxingnews24.com/2012/08/being-tall-wont-be-enough-for-wach/

World heavyweight champion Vladimir Klitschko punches during his boxing fight on July 7, 2012 in Bern. Klitschko will defend his WBO, IBF and WBA belts against Poland's Mariusz Wach in Hamburg on November 10, it was announced on Wednesday. (AFP Photo/Fabrice Coffrini)World heavyweight champion Vladimir Klitschko punches during his boxing fight on July 7, 2012 in Bern. Klitschko will defend his WBO, IBF and WBA belts …

World heavyweight champion Vladimir Klitschko will defend his WBO, IBF and WBA belts against Poland’s Mariusz Wach in Hamburg on November 10, it was announced on Wednesday.

The 36-year-old Klitschko, who is based in Hamburg, faces his 23rd world title fight against the undefeated Wach, four months after the champion’s sixth-round knock-out of US boxer Tony Thompson in Basel.

“It is always something special to box in Hamburg,” said Klitschko.

“This fight will also be special because I have never fought against a boxer who is bigger than me and has a longer reach.”

At 2.02 metres (6ft 7.5in) tall with a reach of 2.08m, Krakow-born Wach, who is based in the United States, is four centimetres taller than Klitschko with a reach two cms longer.

Klitschko last fought in Hamburg on July 2, 2011, when he earned a clear points win over Britain’s David Haye to add the WBA belt to his collection.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/klitschko-defend-titles-against-wach-140231644–box.html

WLADIMIR KLITSCHKO has opened the door to a world title shot for David Price.

Klitschko holds four versions of the world heavyweight title but fancies a defence against the Liverpool bruiser.

Price, 28, who defeated Sam Sexton to win the vacant British and Commonwealth titles on Saturday, wants a world title shot within 18 months.

Klitschko is a great admirer of the 6ft 8in Olympic bronze medallist and reckons he reminds him of himself.

The 36-year-old said: “Maybe David Price and I are going to end up ­fighting. I will not exclude David from my list of possible opponents. We will see how he develops himself.

“I think David Price is doing an ­incredible job. I see myself in him in a certain way.

“He is a couple of inches taller than I am, but his technique is pretty much the same as mine, so there are certain similarities between us and my ­trainer Emanuel Steward always points them out.

“When we have watched his fights, Emmanuel says, ‘Oh, look, he moves like you and even his trunks and his boxing shoes look like yours’.

“Manny always thinks he is copying me and likes the way I fight. I agree with Manny because I used to have my idols. Maybe he looks up to me.

“It depends not just on the will of the promoters but on the will of the fighters because there are a lot of fighters who have ducked the chance of meeting me.”

Klitschko holds the WB), IBF, and WBAworld titles and Price – the best British world heavyweight title prospect since Lennox Lewis – is ­moving rapidly towards a challenge for one of them.

Price has now won all 13 of his ­professional fights and his promoter Frank Maloney, who guided Lewis to the world title, has high hopes for him.

He said: “People may have ­dismissed David’s comment when he said he could become world champion by his 20th fight.

“That doesn’t look a bad prediction now. He could probably earn his chance quickly, but it is about ­becoming world champion and ­having a long reign.”

Klitschko, meanwhile, is preparing to defend his belts against Tony Thompson, 40, in Berne on July 7.

He said: “I understand that I will not be boxing forever and that is why I am enjoying every moment of it.

“I think about retirement. I know it will be over some day. Health and ­motivation are two big factors. If one of those disappears, I am out.”

Klitschko was speaking in London to promote a new film about himself and his elder brother Vitali, the WBC world champion.

He added: “Always, in the history of this sport, the generations change. I am ready and I am there and if a ­challenge comes, I will take it.

“I know the game well and you have to take challenges that come your way.

“That is why I am in the game ­because it is fun to find the right ­strategy, to train and get ready and dominate the way I want.”

He is once again aiming to dominate in his fight with American Thompson, whom he defeated four years ago.

Klitschko has to face him because he has been declared the mandatory IBF challenger and the Ukrainian said: “I didn’t want to lose my belt.

“I am still motivated to defend all of my titles, but it is something of a sore spot because I have no other choice but to fight him.

“He is awfully uncomfortable to fight. His defence is great and my jab doesn’t work with him, which doesn’t ­really make sense to me.”

‘Klitschko’ is out in selected Empire cinemas and will be available to buy on Blu-ray and DVD from May 28, courtesy of Universal Pictures UK.

By Kevin Francis, courtesy of The Daily Starhttp://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=53166

WBO/IBF/WBA world heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko (R) faces opponent Tony Thompson of the United States in front of a Swiss flag during a press conference on in Bern ahead of their boxing fight on July 7 at the Stade de Suisse stadium. Klitschko (57-3, 50KOs) previously knocked out Thompson (36-2, 24KOs) out in the eleventh round in 2008. Thompson later became the IBF’s mandatory challenger, which allowed him to force the rematch. The two fighters decided to make the fight on neutral ground, with Germany and the United States being ruled out.

 

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=52657

WBO/IBF/WBA Heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko will make his 12th title defense in a rematch against mandatory challenger Tony Thompson on July 7 after the sides made a deal Monday, Klitschko adviser Shelly Finkel told ESPN.com.

An IBF purse bid was scheduled for Tuesday, but it was canceled when they came to an agreement. IBF championship committee chairman Lindsey Tucker said the organization received a letter from the fighters’ handlers letting him know a deal had been made.

“There is no purse bid because we made a deal,” Finkel said.

Had it gone to a purse bid, Klitschko would have been entitled to 85 percent of the winning bid with Thompson due 15 percent. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The fight is slated to take place at a soccer stadium in Berne, Switzerland. Klitschko, who is from Ukraine, usually fights in Germany — where he has fought his last seven fights — although his older brother, fellow heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko, made a 2009 title defense against Kevin Johnson at a hockey arena in Berne.

Klitschko (57-3, 50 KOs), who turned 36 on Sunday, will be meeting Thompson (36-2, 24 KOs), 40, of Washington, D.C., in a rematch. He first faced Thompson on July 12, 2008 in Hamburg, Germany and dominated. Klitschko led 99-91, 98-92 and 98-92 on the judges’ scorecards before scoring a crushing 11th-round knockout.

Since then, Thompson has won five consecutive bouts, each by knockout, to again become Klitschko’s mandatory challenger.

Dan Goossen, Thompson’s promoter, had hoped to make a deal to the bring the fight to Washington, but Klitschko was not interested because the money would be greater in Europe.

The likely American broadcaster for Klitschko-Thompson II is premium network Epix, which also televised Klitschko’s fourth-round destruction of Jean-Marc Mormeck on March 3, as well as Vitali Klitschko’s title defense on Feb. 18, a unanimous decision against Dereck Chisora.

If Wladimir Klitschko defeats Thompson, he does plan to return to the United States for a tentative Nov. 10 title defense against American Cristobal Arreola at Madison Square Garden in New York in a fight that HBO is interested in broadcasting.

Klitschko’s last fight in the U.S. was also at the Garden, where he won a lopsided decision against Sultan Ibragimov in a title unification fight on Feb. 23, 2008.

 

By Dan Rafael | ESPN.com

http://espn.go.com/boxing/story/_/id/7741883/wladimir-klitschko-make-12th-title-defense-rematch-vs-tony-thompson

WBO Jr. Heavyweight champion Marco Huck (34-2, 25 KOs) believes that he is ready to challenge the kings of the heavyweight division, Wladimir and Vitali Klitschko. After nearly defeating WBA “regular” champion Alexander Povetkin last month in Germany, Huck made a decision to return to cruiserweight for a mandatory defense against Ola Afolabi.

“I am ready to fight the Klitschko brothers, but right now I’m the holder of the WBO cruiserweight title and I need to make a mandatory defense. Certainly in future I will return to the heavyweight division, and there I’ll capture a world title,” Huck said.

Huck’s trainer, Uli Wegner, feels a move a cruiserweight is the best move, at the moment, for his fighter.

“It seems to me that the fight with Ola Afolabi is the best direction for Marco at the moment,” Wegner said.

 

By Luke Furman

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=50501

WBO/WBA/IBF heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko (57-3, 50KOs) has confirmed that his next opponent is going to be mandatory challenger Tony Thompson (36-2, 24KOs). Klitschko previously knocked Thompson out in eleven rounds in 2008. Since then, Thompson has won five straight, all by knockout.

After a Thompson fight in the summer, he would like to face Chris Arreola or WBA “regular” champion Alexander Povetkin at the end of the year.

“In New York, the new Barclays Arena will be opening up, and they have a great desire to [stage] a fight with one of the Klitschko brothers. We have already been approached with an appropriate proposal. The question regarding my opponent [for Barclays] is completely open. I know that in the summer I will have a mandatory defense against Tony Thompson. At the end of the year my opponent may be Arreola or Povetkin, or someone else,” Klitschko said.

 

By Ruslan Chikov

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=50272

 

El ucraniano Wladimir Klitschko defendió con éxito sus coronas unificadas de peso pesado de la Organización Mundial de Boxeo (séptima), la Federación Internacional de Boxeo (undécima) y la Asociación Mundial de Boxeo (primera), al noquear en el cuarto round al retador francés Jean Marc Mormeck, este sábado por la noche en el combate estelar de una cartelera que fue organizada en el ESPRIT Arena, en Dusseldorf, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Alemania, en una presentación de K2 Promotions.

Desde que sonó la campana se veía una clara superior de Klitschko en alcance, estatura y fortaleza. No había duda que iba a imponerse temprano, y lo hizo con potentes combinaciones que sacudieron por completo la humanidad de Mormeck, quien se fue a la lona en par de ocasiones.

Luego de un primer round bastante sucio por parte de Wladimir, empujándolo hacia el piso al momento de querer amarrar, en el segundo lo envió a la lona con el primer golpe de consideración de la pelea. Fue una derecha que se estrelló en el rostro del retador francés.

En el tercero, Klitschko empuja a Mormeck para enviarlo a la lona, pero no hay caída válida. Son contundentes combinaciones de one-two lanzadas por Klitschko, quien finalizó su labor con otra combinación potente en el cuarto round.

Otra vez el jab de izquierda abrió por completo la guardia de Mormeck, quien seguidamente recibió una potente derecha al rostro que lo dejó fuera de control. Prácticamente, Mormeck quedó noqueado en pie, pero se fue a la lona con otra combinación que apenas le rozó la humanidad.

Al parecer, Mormeck se quejó que esa última combinación era ilegal porque estaba de rodillas, pero el referee puertorriqueño Luis Pabón hizo el conteo de protección, hasta declarar el triunfo de Klitschko por la vía del nocaut técnico a los 1:12 minutos del cuarto round. Mormeck lució todo temeroso en el combate, apenas lanzó sus golpes y fue superado sin objeción por el gigante ucraniano que celebró a lo grande con todos sus aficionados.

Con este triunfo, Klitschko mejoró su record a 57-3, con 50 nocauts, mientras que Mormeck cayó a 36-5, con 22 nocauts. Pero lo mejor de Klitschko es que se consolida como el mejor peso pesado de tres importantes organismos (AMB, OMB y FIB), dominando junto a su hermano Vitali, campeón pesado del WBC, los cuatro organismos más importantes de boxeo en el mundo.

En el principal combate de respaldo de esta cartilla, el inglés Ola Afolabi (19-2-3, 9 nocauts) se agenció la vacante corona crucero interina de la Organización Mundial de Boxeo (OMB), al derrotar por nocaut en el quinto round al ruso Valery Brudov (39-4, 28 nocauts).

Afolabi mandó a la lona a Brudov en el tercer y cuarto round, en una sólida presentación que le permitió agenciarse esta corona interina. Afolabi ganó este título interino en vista que el campeón Marco Huck aún no ha decidido si se quedará con este título o saltará definitivamente a la división de los pesos pesados.

 

http://www.notifight.com/artman2/publish/Resultado_2/W_Klitschko_liquid_a_Mormeck_en_4.php

 

 

WBO/IBF/WBA Heavyweight Champion Wladimir Klitschko dominated Jean Marc Mormeck this past Saturday at the ESPRIT Arena in Dusseldorf, Germany en route to a fourth round knockout. In round two, Klitschko landed a hard right hand, which dropped Mormeck to his knees. Finally, in the fourth round, Klitschko landed a hard right hand, followed by a left which sent Mormeck down to the floor again. Mormeck struggled to stand up, and referee Luis Pabon stopped the fight at 1:12 of round four.

 

 

Wladimir Klitschko weighed in almost 30lbs heavier than Jean-Marc Mormeck ahead of their clash in Dusseldorf on Saturday, but the heavyweight champion admits he would still prefer to be fighting a bigger opponent.

The Ukrainian puts his WBO, IBF and WBA titles on the line against the Frenchman on Saturday night, aiming for a 14th straight victory.

Klitschko tipped the scales ahead of the contest at 244lbs, while his opponent – who will be making only his fourth appearance as a heavyweight – weighed in at 216lbs. Despite his obvious weight advantage, and the fact he is taller and boasts a longer reach, Klitschko says he feels uncomfortable when squaring up to smaller fighters.

“It’s a tough job to fight shorter guys,” he told boxingscene.com. “It’s a lot of energy for bigger guys. People say the weight is the advantage, but it’s not that much of an advantage. It’s a smaller target to hit, so you have to be precise, like surgery. Bigger targets are easier to hit, they’re slower and I can work with bigger guys.”

In the pre-fight build-up, Klitschko has likened Mormeck to Mike Tyson, and the 35-year-old says he will have to get on the front foot early against his squat, powerful foe.

“Jean-Marc will keep coming forward and throwing punches,” he said. “He is a great athlete in tremendous shape. I’m not going to wait too long to get my attack off the ground.”

Emanuel Steward, Klitschko’s trainer, is expecting his charge to experience a difficult night’s work and says his fighter is in a “no-win situation” with the fans.

“We’re fighting a style unlike anything Wladimir has had to face. Mormeck has a bob-and-weave style, one of the most difficult styles to prepare for. One of the biggest problems I’ve always had with my tall fighters is the head movement.

“I understand the fans’ opinion but style wise it’s not going to be that type of fight [a mismatch]. According to all of the experts, if the fight goes more than three or four rounds it was a terrible performance. If Wladimir knocks him out in a minute, it was expected. We’re going in to this fight facing a no-win situation.”

 

http://www.espn.co.uk/boxing/sport/story/139029.html

 

The weights are in for Saturday’s big heavyweight contest, as Wladimir Klitschko (56-3, 49KOs) will defend his WBO/WBA/IBF titles against former cruiserweight king Jean Marc Mormeck (36-4, 22KOs) at the ESPRIT arena in Düsseldorf, Germany. Both fighters got on the scale. Klitschko weighed 111 kilograms [244.7-pounds]. The much smaller Mormeck was 98 kilograms [216-pounds]. Photos by Michael Sterlingeaton.

 

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=50190

 

Wladimir Klitschko and Jean-Marc Mormeck held their open work out at the Mercedes-Benz dealership in Düsseldorf (Germany). Over 900 fans showed up to watch both fighters showing off their boxing skills in preparation for their heavyweight championship fight this Saturday, March 3.

WBO/WBA Superchampion, IBO/IBF World Heavyweight and “The Ring” Champion Klitschko and his contender Jean-Marc Mormeck will face off at the ESPRIT arena in Düsseldorf, Germany.

A video and pictures of the Klitschko and Mormeck open work out is available on the official Klitschko facebook page (www.facebook.com/VitaliWladimirKlitschko).

The fight will be broadcast live and exclusively on RTL in Germany, in the US it will be shown on EPIX.

Remaining tickets for Klitschko vs. Mormeck are available on www.eventim.de.

Picture credit: Michael Sterling Eaton /KMG

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=50125

 

La Organización Mundial de Boxeo (OMB) anuncia los oficiales que estarán trabajando en los combates de título mundial entre el campeón peso completo Wladimir Klitschko ante Jean Marc Mormeck y de Ola Afolabi frente a Valery Brudov, que se efectuarán este sábado, 3 de marzo, en el ESPRIT Arena, Dusseldorf, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Alemania en una presentación de K2 Promotions.

El presidente de la OMB, Francisco “Paco” Valcárcel, que estará en Alemania en este cartel, informó que para la pelea donde el ucraniano Klitschko (56-3, 49 KOs) defenderá por séptima ocasión su título pesado de la OMB ante el clasificado número 10, el francés Mormeck (36-4, 22 KOs), el árbitro será el puertorriqueño Luis Pabón.

Los jueces que trabajarán el pleito Klitschko-Mormeck serán el estadounidense Clark Sammartino, el españo Manuel Maritxalar y el belga Phillipe Verbeke. El supervisor de la OMB para el encuentro será el propio presidente de la entidad, Valcárcel.

Mientras, para el encuentro entre el británico Afolabi (18-2-3, 8 KOs) y el ruso Valery Brudov (39-3, 28 KOs), por el título interino del peso crucero de la OMB, el árbitro será Genaro “Gino” Rodríguez.

Los jueces para esta reyerta son Clark Sammartino, Manuel Maritxalar y Luis Pabón. El supervisor de la OMB para esta pelea entre Afolabi y Brudov será el surafricano Andrew Smale.

Afolabi es actualmente el primer clasificado de la OMB en los cruceros, mientras que Brudov se encuentra en la octava posición.

World Boxing Organization (WBO), by president Francisco “Paco” Valcarcel, announced today the referees and judges who will work in the world title bouts between WBO Heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko vs Jean Marc Mormeck, and the interim WBO Cruiserweight belt between Ola Afolabi and Valery Brudov this Saturday, March 3, at the ESPRIT Arena, Dusseldorf, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany in a K2 Promotions presentation.

Valcarcel, who will be in attendance in this show, reported that for the seventh title defense of Klitschko (56-3, 49 KOs) against Mormeck (36-4, 22 KOs), the referee will be Luis Pabon, from Puerto Rico.

The judges for Klitschko-Mormeck are Clark Sammartino, from United States, Manuel Maritxalar, From Spain, and Philippe Verbeke, from Belgium. WBO supervisor for this fight will be its own president, Valcarcel.

Meanwhile, for the fight bewteen Afolabi (18-2-3, 8 KOs) and Brudov (39-3, 28 KOs) for the interim WBO Cruiserweight championship, the referee will be Genaro “Gino” Rodriguez. The judges are Clark Sammartino, Luis Pabon and Manuel Maritxalar. WBO supervisor for this fight is Andrew Smale, from South Africa.

 

http://www.eastsideboxing.com/news.php?p=30931&more=1