12.04.04 – By V. Featherstone – thirdman_boxing@yahoo.com – Having an older brother can be a valuable asset. If you have a fight with the neighborhood bully and he beats you, you can always get your big brother. In the case of Wladimir and Vitali Klitschko, it is all too familiar.
When Vitali Klitschko takes on South Africa’s Corrie Sanders, he will be repaying an old debt while also getting revenge for his brother as well. You see, Vitali Klitschko lost a disappointing fight with current IBF Heavyweight Chris Byrd back in April of 2000 in a fight that he was winning on all cards. A shoulder injury forced him to retire and thus place an image on him (Vitali) as a “quitter”. Wlad took on Byrd and won a lop-sided 12 round decision. How the tables turn so quickly! Wlad, in line for a title shot with then WBC champion Lennox Lewis, took on Corrie Sanders in march of 2003 in a fight that was labeled as a tuneup. Possibly over-confident and looking past his opponent, Vladimir (40-3) went down twice in the last minute of the first round, reeling around the ring as he tried to avoid Sanders’ (39-2, 29 knockouts) blows, and then was dropped twice in the second. Sanders became the lightly regarded WBO Heavyweight title; a title that he relinquished later in the year. thus wiping out Wlad’s title opportunity against Lewis.
Enter Vitali Klitschko, (33-2 (32)). Very few gave Vitali any chance of victory against Lennox Lewis. However, Vitali proved that his fight with Chris Byrd was just an unfortunate situation as he gave Lewis a final battle that he would never forget. He matched Lewis punch for punch and was able to bring out the age in Lewis. Had it not been for a nasty cut on his eye, Vitali may well have went on to victory. Not many fighters gain praise over the victor when one loses. But in the case of Vitali Klitschko, his stock rose to high proportions. His second round destruction over then-number one contender Kirk Johnson put the exclamation point on his reputation as a devastating puncher and a legitimate Heavyweight contender. The whispers of “QUITschko” seem to have died out. When he takes on Corrie Sanders on April 24, not only will he be fighting once again for the WBC Heavyweight title, he will also be repaying a debt as well as seeking revenge as his brother did against Chris Byrd.
Before his victory over highly regarded Wladimir Klitschko, Corrie Sanders had fought only three rounds since being knocked out by Hasim Rahman nearly three years ago. Not many gave him any chance of defeating Wladimir Klitschko and saw him as a tuneup. Sanders shook up the heavyweight division and the boxing world with a second round knockout over Wladimir Klitschko while gaining the WBO heavyweight title. After a slow and cautious first minute of the fight, Sanders came after Klitschko and dropped him twice in the last minute of the first round. The assault continued in round two as Sanders caught Wladimir with a left hand 27 seconds into round two. The fight ended moments later. Although Sanders had defeated Wladimir with ease, the boxing community still didn’t recognize Sanders as a legitimate heavyweight contender. But the politics of boxing began to take charge as Lamont Brewster’s name began popping up as a legitimate contender for the lightly regarded WBO title. The fight never came about as the then 37 year old sat idle while Wladimr Klitschko seeked a rematch.
Now 38, Sanders is looking to win the WBC Heavyweight title as well as defeating Wladimir Kitschko again before ending his career. He stated while training 25 miles north of Johannesburg that if, “If I lose (to Vitali), I’m retiring … if I win I’ll have one more fight.”
That one more fight, as stated, would be a rematch with Wladimir Klitschko, but he better stay focussed on Vitali. Remember, Wlad looked forward to the fight with Lennox Lewis and saw his dream go down the drain.
Fight forcast:
Both fighters are on a high. Sanders defeated Vitali’s younger brother with such ease, how can he (Sanders) not be confident? Wladimir was the more technical and orthodox boxer of the two Klitschkos as well as being the more recognized fighter and Sanders put him away with such ease. Sanders’ lack of size compared to Wladimir (6’4″/224lbs – 6’6″/240lbs) proved to be everything less than a disadvantage. When he walks in the ring to fight Vitali (6’7″) he will see a fighter nearly of the same size. At least in his mind.
Vitali Klitschko has no fear. After fighting Lennox Lewis and staying in front on the former Undisputed (later just the WBC) Champion, his confidence and heart can’t be questioned. With his power being as strong as anyone in the division (ask Kirk Johnson) he will not be afraid to come forward and let his hands go. His size is always a factor in any fight and the smaller opponents seem to have a hard time tying him up or landing a big punch to stop him in his tracks.
I don’t see a replay of (Vitali) Klitschko/Johnson or Sanders/(Wlad) Klitschko; two second round blowouts. However, I don’t see the fight going half the distance. Sanders may have pulled off a shocker against Wladimir but Vitali is a far different opponent. Sanders is looking for his career to end soon and, like Wladimir Klitschko, is looking ahead and forward to retirement. Vitali is looking at Sanders and not any further. Sanders wants to end his career, well, he will punch the clock for the final time at the Staples Center (Los Angeles, California). If he comes forward, which I think he will, Vitali will greet him with a right hand. But watch the uppercut and Vitali’s hooks to the body. I believe they will be the major factors in the early part of the fight.
Prediction: Klitschko KO4
Side notes: The Staples Center is a return to the scene of the crime for Vitali Klitschko. It is the venue in which his fight with Lennox Lewis took place as well his adopted home (Los Angeles, CA). Look for him to feel “at home.”