Klitschko fails to inspire despite win

BERLIN – Looking battered after his 11th-round round knockout victory, Wladimir Klitschko wore the look of a relieved man after defending his IBF and WBO heavyweight titles against American Tony Thompson.

The Hamburg-based Ukrainian floored his tiring opponent in the penultimate round on Saturday but finished the fight nursing a black-and-blue left eye and a swollen right eyelid. “I haven’t had a black eye in a long time,” the 32-year-old Klitschko told RTL television after retaining his International Boxing Federation and World Boxing Organisation titles.”It’s part of boxing.It’s better to have a black eye than be depressed.I look like a fighter now.”Klitschko, who improved his record to 51-3, was better than in his February win over Sultan Ibragimov of Russia when he added the WBO crown, although the first two rounds in Hamburg recalled that cautiously dull bout.Klitschko’s challengers will have been feeling fairly confident after watching the Ukrainian slap down Thompson’s jabs in another uninspiring opening.But after an aggressive Thompson opened up a cut over the champion’s right eye in the second round and with blood streaming down his cheek, Klitschko suddenly came to life and gave the 12 000 fans in his adopted hometown a decent fight.”I didn’t get into my rhythm at the start,” said Klitschko, who still dreams of becoming the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis retired in 2003.”But my jab got better with each round.”Thompson knew he was behind but remained a threat to Klitschko, who has never completely shaken off his reputation for lacking heart and having a glass chin after getting knocked out in two rounds by South African Corrie Sanders in 2003.”I knew I pretty much had just one shot and that was to catch him clean,” said the 36-year-old challenger, who buried his head in the ropes and wept after his defeat.”That’s what I was trying to do towards the end of the fight.But he got me first.I’m not used to losing.It hurt.”Nampa-AFP”I haven’t had a black eye in a long time,” the 32-year-old Klitschko told RTL television after retaining his International Boxing Federation and World Boxing Organisation titles.”It’s part of boxing.It’s better to have a black eye than be depressed.I look like a fighter now.”Klitschko, who improved his record to 51-3, was better than in his February win over Sultan Ibragimov of Russia when he added the WBO crown, although the first two rounds in Hamburg recalled that cautiously dull bout.Klitschko’s challengers will have been feeling fairly confident after watching the Ukrainian slap down Thompson’s jabs in another uninspiring opening.But after an aggressive Thompson opened up a cut over the champion’s right eye in the second round and with blood streaming down his cheek, Klitschko suddenly came to life and gave the 12 000 fans in his adopted hometown a decent fight.”I didn’t get into my rhythm at the start,” said Klitschko, who still dreams of becoming the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis retired in 2003.”But my jab got better with each round.”Thompson knew he was behind but remained a threat to Klitschko, who has never completely shaken off his reputation for lacking heart and having a glass chin after getting knocked out in two rounds by South African Corrie Sanders in 2003.”I knew I pretty much had just one shot and that was to catch him clean,” said the 36-year-old challenger, who buried his head in the ropes and wept after his defeat.”That’s what I was trying to do towards the end of the fight.But he got me first.I’m not used to losing.It hurt.”Nampa-AFP

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