By MikeS: On Saturday, April 26th from Germany, WBA,WBO,IBF,IBO,Ring, Champion “The Steel hammer” Dr. Wladimir Klitschko 61(51)-3 will defend his titles against WBO mandatory challenger Alex ‘Lionheart’ Leapai 30(24)-4-3 in what seems to be as lopsided a match-up as Tyson vs Douglass back in 1990. The difference maker in this fight is that the champ doesn’t take anyone lightly, including Leapai, and deservedly so (all of Klitschko’s losses came by way of KO). Look for Klitschko to dominate with his speed, size, and jab over the slow, but heavy handed Leapai. A career payday for Leapai, and another stepping stone for Klitschko.
The most compelling of these upcoming fights however are still in the works as WBC#1 Bermaine Stiverne 23(20)-1-1 will rematch WBC#2 Chris ‘the Nightmare’ Arreola 36(31)-3 for the now vacant and coveted WBC strap. This bout is being targeted for sometime in April. In what was only a slight upset the first time around Stiverne won in an impressive UD after dropping Arreola in the 3rd and easily outpointing him from then on. Arreola got in better shape and destroyed Seth Mitchell by 1st round TKO in September while Stiverne has been inactive in the ring for a full year.
Unbeaten fighters WBC#4 Bryant Jennings 18(10)-0 and WBC#5 “Irish” Mike Perez 20(12)-0-1 have been ordered to face for an official eliminator by the WBC as well. Jennings passed his first big test against then undefeated Polish fighter Artur Szpilka 16(12)-1 on HBO by TKO in the tenth round back in January while Perez looked far from impressive in what many considered to be a “gift draw” against fringe contender Carlos Takam 29(23)1-1 a in January as well. Can Perez mentally recover from the Magomad Abdusalamov tragedy, or will Jennings continue his climb to a championship bout?
Along with these match-ups, young guns Anthony Joshua, and Hughie Fury both look to keep the ball rolling on Saturday, March 1 as well. Springtime is almost here, and the heavyweight division is heating up!
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