Boxing. Klitschko is champion!

Ukrainian Vitaliy Klitschko won the title of world champion according to the most prestigious version of professional boxing, the WBC. In Los Angeles, in the ring of the "Staples Center," Klitschko defeated Corrie Sanders by technical knockout in the 8th round, the same Sanders who in March of last year knocked out his brother Volodymyr. The fight with Corrie Sanders, as expected, did not become an easy stroll for the elder Klitschko. The events in this bout developed at a furious speed. And although in most rounds the Ukrainian looked better, nevertheless, Sanders also managed to give the Ukrainian a substantial beating.

Overall, even now it can be said that Vitaliy Klitschko achieved victory in this duel thanks to better physical condition and an important factor called the ability to take a punch. This is precisely what his brother lacked in the lost fights against Sanders and Brewster. Sanders' tactics in the duel with Klitschko were quite predictable, primarily for the Ukrainian, who, as it turned out, had studied them thoroughly. In the first three rounds the knockout artist from Africa tried to reach the elder Klitschko with his lefts, and in some episodes of the fight he succeeded, and the punches were no weaker than Vitaliy's. Already in the first round Klitschko ran into a powerful left hook from Sanders and nearly went down, but managed to concentrate and steer the fight into a calmer course for himself. The second round was entirely the Ukrainian's, who landed more accurately on his opponent, who traditionally for this bout would coast at the start of the next round and closer to the end would go into exchanges of punches.

The third round, despite Vitaliy's constant directed punches, was more strongly fought by Sanders. Moreover, one cannot say that the South African was controlling the fight, but his powerful quick left punches several times badly shook the Ukrainian's face. In the fourth round both boxers gave themselves a small rest, which was beneficial for Sanders, who looked noticeably tired. However, toward the end of the round Sanders again landed on Vitaliy with several of his lunges. After the bell, the cameras showed the elder Klitschko's face and it was noticeable how the doctor was stopping a cut on Vitaliy's brow, precisely the same one through which he had stopped the fight with Lewis...

However, a repeat of last year's June story did not happen. The fifth round became the turning point in this bout. Vitaliy's dagger-like punches, which would knock even a buffalo off its feet, were doing their work on Sanders' face and movements in the ring, but the policeman by profession did not fall. About thirty seconds before the end of the round Klitschko unleashed a powerful series of straight and side rights to Sanders' head, and only the bell for the break saved the "iron" Corrie from a knockout in that round. The sixth round showed Sanders' fatigue even more, as he barely moved around the ring, but from time to time fired his signature left, although most of the punches merely cut through the air around the Ukrainian. Besides the absolute fatigue of the 38-year-old Sanders, Vitaliy's opponent's face looked like Klitschko's in the fight with Lewis. The bloodied face and hematomas said that the South African had already received his share of punches for the fight, even more. The start of the seventh round only confirmed the fact that Sanders' little song about how he would take care of the Klitschko brothers was coming to an end and was more like a fable. His attempts to sharpen the struggle led to nothing, while Klitschko's striking punches were doing their work, gradually rocking Sanders in the ring, who was already barely standing.

Credit must be given to Sanders as well, who although not distinguished by technique or any tactical tricks, takes punches excellently. It is even hard to say which other boxer could have withstood 8 rounds in the ring receiving in almost each of them no fewer than 10 accurate punches to the head... But Sanders is not made of iron either. The 8th round became the end of Sanders' glorious career, which lasted 13 months. Sanders was finally finished off by the Ukrainian, who time after time hit the target, causing the opponent to lean more and more toward the ropes, and after a right side punch to the head only the referee, who rushed to the boxer from South Africa protecting him from yet another "finishing" punch, probably saved the Ukrainian's opponent from a knockout on the ring floor. That is where the fight ended, Sanders went off to wash the blood from his face, and Vitaliy, who had become world champion among professionals, from fatigue could not even rejoice... The result of the fight for both boxers is absolutely different. After this defeat Sanders, if he keeps his promise, will leave professional boxing and go play golf, while for Vitaliy Klitschko everything is only beginning. Now he — Klitschko — is the holder of the throne on which the great Lennox Lewis recently sat.

In addition, Klitschko, as they say, saved the reputation of his surname, which had been substantially damaged after Volodymyr's defeat to Brewster. Although to say that after Vitaliy's win his brother will receive some special dividends is not possible, no matter what Vitaliy says about their defeats and victories being shared between the two brothers. Among experts Vitaliy will remain a strong-willed boxer who has never once been on the ring floor and at any moment can turn the course of a fight. For Volodymyr, all that remains is to disprove in upcoming bouts the versions about his "glass" chin and not-too-good endurance... The statistics of the bout show that Klitschko threw 413 punches of which 55% hit the target. Sanders managed to land 51 punches out of 229 (22%).

For Vitaliy this victory became his 34th in the ring, with 33 obtained by knockout and two defeats. Another interesting fact is that after his victory over Volodymyr in March of last year, Corrie Sanders did not fight a single duel in the ring and the fight against Vitaliy became his first in the past year... How is that not revenge for the brother-3?

After the bout, answering a question from the HBO television channel, Vitaliy noted: "I was going toward the world champion title and trying to win it, which I did today. At the same time, I set aside any emotions." Answering the question of whether this victory means the rehabilitation of the Klitschko surname, Vitaliy said: "Of course. My brother and I share victories and defeats between the two of us. I still believe that Volodymyr is the strongest boxer in the world. And the time will come when we will win the world champion titles simultaneously."

Vitaliy Klitschko did not miss the opportunity to once again challenge the "pensioner" Lennox Lewis, who was also present at the bout. "Lewis promised me a rematch and if he is a gentleman, he will keep his word. Our fight will be interesting for many millions of fans around the world."