King Vitali Struggles But Defeats Chisora To Retain Title

By Scoop Malinowski

Vitali Klitschko utilized his superior boxing skills but also showed signs of vulernability for the first time in many years, as he prevailed by a clear unanimous decision over challenger Dereck Chisora.

Though his reflexes, movement and awkward punches remain effective enough to get the job done over 12 rounds, Klitschko’s power seemed diminished compared to his previous knockout victories. Chisora, who bled from the mouth for most of the fight, was never seriously hurt or staggered and suffered minimal facial damage, appeared to be the more explosive gladiator on this night.

It was not quite a vintage, typical Vitali Klitschko performance – using his tactical movement around the ring while unleashing the arsenal of awkward, slicing and powerful blows. One previous opponent said that absorbing Klitschko’s long range punches feel like getting hit by a sack of bricks.

But Chisora showed an impressive formidability of his own, he never wobbled or faltered. At various times in the fight, Chisora stepped up the pressure and had Klitschko looking strangely disorganized, even wincing. The British man connected on several, full power shots to the head and body of Klitschko which seemed to take a toll later in the contest. And you got the sense that if Chisora could have applied more intense pressure, a shock ending could have happened.

Klitschko continued to patiently pick and probe and dissect his way to the finish but he caught some big hits in the last minute and at the final bell he appeared almost exhausted and relieved, maybe even groggy, as he embraced his brother Wladimir for a long hug in the center of the ring. In my view, this was the closest that Klitschko has ever come to losing a fight in the heat of physical combat, not from an injury breakdown like what happened against Chris Byrd and Lennox Lewis. At times, Chisora seemed just a few punches away from severely hurting the champion.

In the end, due to his enormous pride, awesome skillset and iron will, Klitschko once again showed he was the superior fighter and earned the hard fought victory. But after seeing this performance, you have to wonder if he can continue much longer into his 40′s to repel these young, strong, muscular, ferocious challengers like Chisora.

It would not be a major surprise if Vitali were to retire in the coming months or later this year, after seeing the difficulties he endured from the impressive performance given by Chisora.

Note: Before the fight in the ring, Chisora was face to face with Wladimir and squirted water from his mouth into the face of the longstanding world champion. It was a despicable and unsportsmanlike act by Chisora who surely will be fined for this kind of disgraceful behavior. Wladimir restrained himself from assaulting Del Boy but confronted him in the ring after the decision and had some choice words. He had every right to call him anything he wanted.

Though Chisora’s sportsmanship was abysmal, his credibility and stock value as a top 5 heavyweight contender, surely increased substantially after this gallant effort.

Former Klitschko antagonist David Haye stated moments after the fight he thinks he saw several exploitable weaknesses by Vitali Klitschko, including slow feet, and says he’s very eager to make a deal to be the WBC Champion’s next opponent.

Boris Becker, the former tennis champion, was a ringside observer. Before the fight he said he admires both Klitschkos but slightly prefers to watch Vitali because “he goes for the knockout earlier than Wladimir.” Becker also disapproved of Chisora’s weigh-in slap of the champion. “It was not gentleman-like. I understand there’s tension but you have to respect each other. To slap him in front of the media and fans was disrespectful.”