Dimitrenko wants title shot against the Klitschkos

By Boxing News - 09/26/2011 - Comments

Image: Dimitrenko wants title shot against the KlitschkosBy Eric Thomas: European Boxing Union (EBU) heavyweight champion Alexander Dimitrenko (32-1, 21 KO’s) wants a title shot against one of the Klitschko brothers after the 29-year-old Dimitrenko labored to an unimpressive 12 round unanimous decision against 36-year-old Michael Sprott (36-17, 17 KO’s) at the Dima Sportscenter in Hamburg, Germany.

Dimitrenko, ranked #2 WBO, #3 WBC, #7 WBA, #9 IBF, won the fight by the lopsided scores of 119-108, 117-111, 116-111, but he had a referee that twice penalized Sprott and seemed to be getting in his way when he was trying to land his big shot. Dimitrenko’s face took a real pounding and was really marked up around both eyes by the end of the fight.

Dimitrenko ended up getting hurt by a couple of big shots from Sprott in the fight, and showed little improvement over his performance against Eddie Chambers from two years ago in a 12 round decision loss.

Dimitrenko now wants to take on heavyweight champions Wladimir and Vitali Klitschko, and I can’t think of a worse challenger. Dimitrenko fights somewhat like Wladimir, only without the power that Wladimir has in his jab, left hook and right hand. It’s fair to say if you strip away all of Wladimir’s power, his athleticism and ring smarts, you get a fighter like Dimitrenko. I think it would be a terrible fight because Dimitrenko wouldn’t have the power needed to keep Wladimir or Vitali off of him. It would look good when they first get in the ring, as Dimitrenko is 6’7″ 250 lbs, but as soon as the bell rings, Dimitrenko would take a beating against both Klitschko brothers. He’s just not equipped to compete with them.

Even Sprott, who serves as a sparring partner for the Klitschkos at times, thinks it’s a bad idea for Dimitrenko to fight the Klitschkos. He thinks Dimitrenko would be way out of his class against either Klitschko and I fully agree with that. Dimitrenko needs to aim lower than the Klitschkos and try to pick off someone like Robert Helenius next. I don’t think Dimitrenko would win, but that’s where he needs to be aiming right now.



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