(Photo credit: KMG / Klitschko Press-Service) By John F. McKenna (McJack): Once again some boxing pundits and writers are having a field day, gleefully stating that WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko (44-2, 40 KO’s) showed significant signs that he was aging in his unanimous decision win over Derek Chisora (15-4-9 KO’s) last February.
They point to the fact that “Dr. Ironfist” actually lost a round or two in his match with “Del-Boy”. For Klitschko to lose a round is a rare occurrence. Since his comeback TKO win over former WBC heavyweight champion Sam Peter (34-5, 27 KO’s) four years ago, the Chisora fight is the first time Vitali has lost any rounds at all.
The Klitschko detractors are eager to point out that the much smaller former WBA heavyweight champion David Haye (26-2, 23 KO’s) was able to score an impressive TKO win over Chisora, while at times Vitali appeared to struggle. Furthermore Klitscko was not able to hurt Derek let alone stop him or knock him down as the “Hayemaker” was able to do. Also, as many writers have correctly claimed, Vitali appeared to be gassed in the final rounds against “Del-Boy”.
Some of the claims by those predicting Klitschko’s demise border on the ridiculous. Some even assert that Vitali has no power. Kind of silly when you consider that Klitschko’s KO percentage currently ranks #2 among all heavyweight champions going all the way back to the great John L. Sullivan in the 1880’s. Currently Vitali ranks right behind Rocky Marciano (49-0, 43 KO’s). Before the Chisora fight Vitali was rated #1.
What is most telling by those who point to a decline in Klitschko’s performance is that his detractors conveniently leave out of the equation that Klitschko injured his left shoulder in the 3rd round and for the remainder of the fight was in excruciating pain. To his credit Vitali did not divulge that information as an excuse as to why he was not at his best in the Chisora fight. However it was clear to everyone who watched the fight that from the 3rd round on Klitschko did not use his left hand. This writer watched the fight several times and you can almost point to the moment when the injury occurred.
The injury to Vitali’s left shoulder hampered his ability to measure his opponent and keep the distance as he normally does. In essence his left hand, which Emanuel Steward refers to as Vitali’s signature weapon, was useless.
The fact that Klitschko appeared to be gassed could also be due to the fact that he was taking on a fighter who weighed in excess of 240 pounds and was attempting to control him with one hand.
In his fight with Tomasz Adamek (46-2, 28 KO’s) last September, Klitschko gave no indication that he was slowing down. Neither did he appear to be slipping against Chisora in the first two and a half rounds before he sustained his shoulder injury.
Vitali is aware that he will be under close scrutiny when he takes on the lightly regarded, but rugged Manuel Charr at the Olympiysky Sport Hall in Moscow on September 8. Undoubtedly he will make a huge effort to prove to his detractors that they are wrong. It is also likely that Klitschko will want to make a stellar performance before his fans in Moscow.
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