Looking as formidable as ever, the WBC Heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko performed another complete domination over another little known but abundantly skilled challenger in Kevin Johnson.
Dr. Iron Fist won every round of the fight but was unable to knockout the survival minded American who showed a terrific jab and remarkable defensive abilities. But like Chris Arreola in September, Johnson’s right hand was a non-factor in the bout. Klitschko improves to 39-2 (37 KO’s) while Johnson drops to 22-1-1 (9).
The three judges each scored it as a one-sided contest (120-108 twice and 119-109. But the huge crowd in Bern, Switzerland seemed to thoroughly enjoy the action and the arena was electric for the entire 12th round. The audience wanted a knockout and Vitali, with the win in the bag, tried his hardest to finish Johnson in style. The American engaged in some trash talk during the round, gesturing for the champion to hit him on the chin. Vitali waved his right fist high and wide in a bit of showboating but could not land it solid enough. Vitali also launched some bolo uppercuts which evoked roars from his supporters.
At the final bell, the two warriors glared at each other fiercely, again Johnson mouthed some unpleasantries, provoking Vitali to step forward into Johnson, as they were chest to chest and nose to nose. Amid rousing applause for a fine performance, the referee separated the combatants and brother Wladimir came from behind and gently escorted Johnson who reacted angrily at being touched by the IBF/WBO Ring Heavyweight champion. Though Johnson quickly realized he was not being bullied or disrespected and made nothing of it.
Moments later Johnson decided to cross the ring to congratulate his conquerer who was having his gloves removed. Vitali reacted coldly and barely acknowledged the gesture from Johnson but a few minutes later he went to visit the challenger in his corner and the two sportsman shared some personal words with each other.
Vitali Klitschko is 38 but is showing no signs of decline or age. His stamina is still phenomenal and his form is still sharp and crisp and utterly puzzling for any modern era heavyweight contender to figure out, with the exception of Lennox Lewis, who himself trailed on the scorecards to the Ukrainian behemoth at the time of the stoppage on cuts of their 2003 clash. There is simply no man on the planet who has any chance to knock King Vitali from his throne. Though Klitschko has expressed that he is near the end of his illustrious career, it is likely he will fight at least once or twice more in 2010.
Johnson, who arrived in Switzerland in the best condition of his career, showed one of the best left jabs you will ever see in heavyweight boxing but his right hand, oddly, was not nearly as developed a weapon. If the talented American can ever find a trainer who is able to equalize the balance of his arsenal, and Johnson does not accept this loss in a negative way, he could still have a lucrative future in this sport.
