By John F. McKenna (McJack): Photo credit: KMG/Dmitriy Abramov – World Boxing Council (WBC) heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko (42-2, 39 KO’s) who defends his title on Saturday night against former cruiserweight and light heavyweight champion Tomasz Adamek (44-1, 28 KO’s) is still at the top of his game.

“Dr. Ironfist” turned 40 years old on July 19, but instead of slowing down seems to be a more dominant champion than ever.

Long time sparring partner Ola Afolabi insists that Klitschko has given no indication that he has slowed down a bit. In fact Afolabi thinks that Vitali could conceivably fight for another five years. Klitschko scoffs at that notion but gives no clear indication of how long he wants to continue fighting, although it is pretty clear that he will stick around for at least a couple more fights. It is thought by many that Vitali’s wish to get the recently vanquished David Haye into the ring has motivated him to keep fighting.

Since his brother Vladimir’s one sided win over Haye, Vitali has stated on numerous occasions that he would like the opportunity to “send Haye to the floor” as he puts it.
Both Vitali and his brother Vladimir had strict military upbringings in the Ukraine, which was one of the old Soviet block countries. The Klitschko’s father was a colonel in the Soviet Air Force and was involved in the clean up of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster in 1986. Exposure to radiation at Chernobyl eventually led to the elder Klitscko’s death in July from cancer related to radiation exposure.

With Viali it is all about family, honor and integrity that was instilled in him by his father. While Vladmir’s victory was clear cut and one sided, Vitali still has a huge score to settle with the “Hayemaker”. With David Haye it was all about hyping his fight with Vladmir. Not so with Vitali. He genuinely wants to teach Haye a lesson for all the insults he hurled at him and his brother Vladimir. Haye has given no indication of wanting to tempt fate by stepping into the ring with Vitali. One can only wonder why.

Let’s take a brief look at what faces Tomasz Adamek when he steps into the ring on Saurday night in Wroclaw, Poland. First of all, as everyone knows Vitali is 6’7 ½” and weighs in at around 250 pounds. He is always in superb condition and takes no opponent lightly. “Dr. Ironfist” has the highest KO percentage of any heavyweight champion in history. He has never been behind in a fight and since his return to the ring in 2008 after a series of injuries has not lost a round in seven fights.

Vitali maximizes his height by standing straight up and leaning slightly backward making it difficult for an opponent to get to him with a meaningful shot. To make things even more difficult for Adamek, Klitschko has a chin of granite and has never been floored.

In his most recent fight in March Vitali stopped former Olympic great Odlanier Solis in the 1st round. Klitschko landed a blow to the temple area of Solis who was coming in on Klitscko. The blow which did not appear to be particularly hard stunned Odlanier and as he stepped back he toppled to the canvas injuring his knee. Solis who appeared woozy when he got up had lost all mobility and the fight had to be stopped.

The Klitschko camp attempted to line up a “stay busy” fight in June but it was not to be. The one advantage Tomasz has is that he has been active while Vitali has only fought one round since dominating Shannon Briggs last October.

If nothing else the Klitschko – Adamek fight should demonstrate how good Tomasz really is and if the inactivity has hurt Vitali.