By Brock Kaiser: In what little we saw of the pre-fight ceremonies, we learned that Klitschko was in a serious mood and came ready to fight as evident by both his expression and the fact that he played very little to the crowd. (Also something his detractors would suggest often carried over with him into the ring.) We also learned that although Germans can fill a stadium (the sellout crowd was the biggest boxing audience in the country since Max Schmeling fought Adolf Heuserin in 1939) they apparently have trouble with amplification as parts of Klitschko’s national anthem cut out during its playing.
Round One
As with most first rounds, both fighters were more concerned with feeling each other out than establishing themselves (and for those who had witnessed Hagler vs. Hearns, you may now shed a collective tear). However, Klitschko was able to land a couple of solid jabs and a glancing right. Chagaev countered with what was at best a glancing left to the body. In a round with few scoring blows, Klitschko did just enough to win.
Klitschko 10 Chagaev 9
Round Two
In what would become a common theme in the fight, Klitschko landed a solid left-right combination, with the latter sending Chagaev to the canvas for the first time in his career in a flash knockdown. Chagaev recovered and attempted to jab his way inside. But the tactic was unsuccessful and he was relegated to employ a “turtle shell defense” to protect against Klitschko’s obvious height and reach advantage. Round to Klitschko, with Chagaev loosing an extra point for the knock down.
Klitschko 20 Chagaev 17
Round Three
Klitschko’s 1-2 combo started to become a dominant weapon in an arsenal that was usually limited to a jab. Worse yet for Chagaev and his fans, Klitschko begun to time Chagaev’s head movements and as a result his punches were getting through Chagaev’s defense. All Chagaev could do to counter this was to use his forehead as an instrument for blocking the punches.
Klitschko 30 Chagaev 26
Round Four
Klitschko continued to connect with his jab and did enough to win the round. Chagaev started to get more desperate at this point and as a result his punches were becoming much more wild.
Klitschko 40 Chagaev 35
Round Five
Klitschko landed what might have been the most solid punch of the night and crisply snapped Chagaev’s head backwards. “White Tyson” seemed to be an apropos moniker for Chagaev, at least the one that fought Lennox Lewis.
Klitschko 50 Chagaev 44
Round Six
The pace picked up considerably and was actually the closest round since the first for Chagaev as he was able to slip more of Klitschko’s punches and land a blow or two himself, though no apparent damage or even concern was brought unto Klitschko. However, Klitschko’s deadly accurate (though often sleep inspiring) jab connected just enough to win.
Klitschko 60 Chagaev 53
Round Seven
Klitschko landed a big right via another combination. Perhaps realizing that the fight was slipping away from him, Chagaev rushed Klitschko and pushed him into the ropes. Then in frustration he landed his best punch of the fight. Unfortunately, it looked to be after the bell.
Klitschko 70 Chagaev 62
Round Eight
Another close round in which Chagaev was able to land his left, but an earlier solid combination by Klitschko (one that likely started a cut) was more impressive to both the fans and, likely, the judges. Another round for the champion.
Klitschko 80 Chagaev 71
Round Nine
As the bell rung to begin the round one of the commentators prolifically wondered aloud whether or not Klitschko could “close out the show”. There was an obvious cut on Chagaev’s left eye and Klitschko zeroed in on it. Towards the end of the round Chagaev got into trouble, was forced up against the ropes and tagged at will by Klitschko who was looking to end what seemed to be a forgone conclusion at that point. Chagaev survived the round but not the fight as referee Eddie Cotton called a halt to the action before the start of the 10th.
Klitschko 90 Chagaev 80
Klitschko wins by TKO
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