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[Sniggles]

BBC Sport - Wladimir Klitschko beats Mariusz Wach to retain heavyweight belts

Wladimir Klitschko beats Mariusz Wach to retain heavyweight belts

Wladimir Klitschko retained his IBF, IBO, WBO and WBA heavyweight titles by recording a unanimous points decision over Poland's Mariusz Wach in Hamburg.
Klitschko landed at will for nearly five rounds but Wach's huge right at the end of the fifth sent him reeling.

The Ukrainian managed to survive, though, and showed no lasting effects before stepping up his punishment.

The judges' scores of 120-107, 120-107 and 119-109 reflected Klitschko's domination in his 13th title defence.

This was the first time Klitschko had fought without the legendary Emanuel Steward, who died last month aged 68, in his corner.

Aspiring heavyweight contender Johnathon Banks has been appointed as his interim new trainer.

Klitschko landed several one-two combinations in the first, with the pattern continuing in the second.

However, the previously unbeaten Wach attempted to spoil his opponent's work by tying Klitschko up.

In the fifth, the Pole brought the crowd to its feet with an overhand right that sent Klitschko into the ropes, although the Ukrainian showed his experience by covering up and avoiding any further damage as Wach sloppily went in for the kill.

But Klitschko, who has not been beaten in eight years since being stopped by Lamon Brewster in 2004, did not seem to be affected at the start of the sixth and landed a straight right that temporarily stunned Wach.

The punishment continued in the seventh and Klitschko looked to stop the fight with perhaps only the bell preventing him from doing so, with Wach sent into the ropes after yet another right hand.

Wach's lack of defence seemed to prove his undoing and he came in for severe punishment in the eighth before Klitschko settled into a rhythm in the ninth.

By the 10th Wach had marks over his eyes and nose and his lack of head movement was giving Klitschko all the encouragement he needed.

Wach did land another rare right in the 11th that opened up a cut on Klitschko's left eye but the champion closed strongly to seal victory.

[Pasha K]

Any word on who is going to be his next challenger?
Maybe Povetkin is a good option. And it is not that I am great fan of boxing so I do not know who are the big names now, but both Klitchkos beat very easily all of their opponents. The fights are not even competitive.

[MirJitsu]

Originally Posted by Pasha K

Any word on who is going to be his next challenger?
Maybe Povetkin is a good option. And it is not that I am great fan of boxing so I do not know who are the big names now, but both Klitchkos beat very easily all of their opponents. The fights are not even competitive.

Povetkin has been ducking Wlad for awhile though he seems to be warming up to the idea of fighting him. I don't think it'll be remotely competitive. Cruisweight champ Huck is calling out Wlad too...but again, as good as he is, not much of a challenge to Klitschko.

The real interesting thing to keep an eye on is if Vitali retires to pursue his political career. Then you'll see Wlad try to win all the belts (wayyyy too many of them in existence, but that's another topic) and become undisputed champion...if Povetkin agrees to a fight.

[Sniggles]

Povetkin or Haye rematch, methinks.

[Pasha K]

BTW Wach probably has the best chin ever.
The amount of punishment he received was insane, soooo many damn hard punches landed at him and he was not even rocked!! And we all know that Wlad does not has pillow hands, he has KOd most of his opponents.
And also Wach's face looked extremely good at the end of the fight considering that Wlad landed everything at will for 12 rounds.
The skill difference between Wlad and Wach is obviously huge, but wow, he definitely can take a punch.