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Vitali Klitschko defends his WBC Heavyweight Title in Berne, Switzerland as Kevin Johnson becomes the latest American to attempt to break the Klitschko’s iron grip on the division and bring part of the heavyweight championship back to the United States. While the fight will be aired on tape delay by HBO later tonight, you can follow the action live with Will Cooling’s live blog.
You really have to admire Sky and David Haye, having succeeded in getting British fans interested in Haye facing Nikolai Valuev they’re now laying the groundwork for unification matches between the Klitschkos and David Haye. Not wanting to rely on the freakshow tactics they used for ‘David vs Goliath’ they’re busy making up for lost time, educating fans about the two men who through a combination of brawn and brain have dominated the heavyweight division since the retirement of Lennox Lewis. And so for once British fans get to see the best heavyweight boxer in the world on live television with (and I’m not joking about this) an interview with David Haye being the only other thing mentioned in the adverts.
The first undercard match is Jonathon Banks and Marcel Zeller, which sees Banks wins in about a minute (no clock from Sky) after trapping Zeller in the corner and just unloading on his overmatched opponent. Zeller looked nothing special but the former cruiserweight Banks showed intent in his debut at heavyweight.
Cruiserweight Four Rounds Match: Nuri Serferi vs Joseph Marwa
Round One
Close round, not a lot of technique showed from either fighter with the self-styled ‘Albanian Tyson’ Serferi wanting to get up close before let his hands go and so repeatedly getting caught by a backpedaling Marwa. However Serferi properly does enough to take the round at around the 2minute mark when he finally puts a few punches together and lands a nice uppercut that disorientates Marwa. 10-9 to Serferi
Round Two
More of the same, with Serferi wanting to get in close but not having the head movement or hand speed to always get through or avoid taking a hit. However when he does he’s obviously too much for Marwa, who seems unable to take any serious punishment. Serferi hits another gear towards the end of the round, hitting some big overhand punches towards the end of the round which stagger Marwa and almost get a knockdown as the buzzer goes. Referee rules that Marwa was just off-balance, which seems nonsense to me. 20-18 to Serferi.
Round Three
Sky’s commentators make the same joke I was about to use, that if Serferi is the Albanian Tyson he’s obviously copied Iron Mike’s latter days as he’s hard hitting and aggressive but lacks the head movement that Tyson had in his heyday. The round is the same story as the other two rounds with Serferi in control due to his punching power and superior strength but not having the technique to unlock Marwa’s defense and so create the opportunity to end the round. 30-27 to Serferi.
Round Four
Best round of the match, with Serferi actually remembering that there’s this strange thing could a ‘jab’ that you can throw at a distance and if it connects it helps set up the very punching combinations he’s been trying to land all round. Startled by his opponent making this staggering discovery, Marwa is a bit busier this round and trades with Serferi throughout the round. Good round, very open with both guys landing but Serferi did enough to take the round. I have the match 40-36 to Nuri Serferi.
Scores are not announced in English and Sky helpfully fails to give us an English translation, but Nuri Serferi is declared the winner. Fun little scrap.
Alexander Ustinov vs Monte Barrett
Round One
In a taster of what we can expect in our main event, its an American taking on a massive Russian. They feel each other out and Ustinov gets what at first looks a nothing right-hand but Barrett goes down like he’s been shot. Barrett is dead on his feet and is struggling to shake the cobwebs. Ustinov bundles the American to the floor, no count but the referee has a hard look at whether Barrett has recovered from the opening blow. Barrett is desperately trying to cling on and just tumbles over after trying to hang onto the Russian. Barrett is now throwing some big punches but he just doesn’t look right. 10-8 to Ustinov.
Round Two
Better round from Barrett, has he holds the center of the ring and uses his speed and footwork to make Ustinov work. He looks in far better condition than in the first round but he is attempting to hold onto the Russian too much for my liking. He has however landed some nice punches and stopped Ustinov finding the range to land anything. Barrett’s round and its 19-18 to Ustinov on my scorecard.
Round Three
Barrett is alternating between seeking to hold onto the larger Russian and landing a big punch, but is missing constantly. Ustinov is more patient than in the second round, trying to create better angles for himself rather than just trying to land big punches. He actually seems to have good footwork and headwork for a big man. Tough round to score to be honest, but I’d give it to Ustinov due to Barrett’s spoiling tactics and his punches missing. 29-27 to Ustinov.
Round Four
Another untidy round with the American always looking to tie up the Russian whenever the distance is closed. Barrett impresses early on with some nice work to attempt to set up one big punch. However the big punch never comes and so we get some holding. Ustinov is not imposing himself on Barrett but he’s keeping it ticking over with some nice one-twos and the occasional jab. Close round but I’d give it to Ustinov, 39-36.
Round Five
Better round, with Ustinov really showing nice technique to get through Barrett’s defenses including a nice punch that lands square on Barrett’s chin. Barrett is doing his best to maintain the distance and avoid getting trapped by the big man but Ustinov is in control. 49-45.
Round Six
Both boxers are slowing down with Barrett struggling to make an impact while Ustinov is content to keep him at a distance and work him over with the jab. Unless Ustinov significantly tires this match has only one winner, as I just don’t seem him overcommitting and so allowing Barrett to land the big punch he needs to make this match competitive. 59-54 to Ustinov.
Round Seven
Better round as Barrett lands a nice jab that seems to shake the Russian momentarily and manages to get the Russian backpedaling. However the momentum shifts when Ustinov hits some uppercuts midway through which seems to take a lot out of Barrett. Ustinov lands a couple of hard punches towards the end and it seems that Barrett is having problems with his shoulder. 69-63 to Ustinov.
Round Eight
Barrett is trying to work his jab and keep the bigger man at a distance but while some punches are getting through this isn’t enough to turn the match round. Ustinov is however breathing out of the mouth and visibly tiring, so if Barrett has enough energy left he could just land the big punch he needs to win. Ustinov lands a big righthand towards the end of the round but given I’d give the round to Barrett, who was busier and showed better footwork. 78-73 to Ustinov
Round Nine
Both fighters are tiring although Barrett should be benefiting most as Ustinov’s legs are becoming leaden and his head slow it seems he just doesn’t have enough to capitalize on the openings being created. Barrett lands some nice jabs at the opening of the round but seemingly hurts his right hand on Ustinov’s head and so becomes more defensive as the round progresses. Probably did enough to claim the round but he needs to find a second wind if he’s going to win. 87-83.
Round Ten
Given his demeanor in the corner, Barrett obviously doesn’t want to be there. The corner goes for some tough love but his mood hasn’t improved. Ustinov half connects with a jab and Barrett goes down in a heap. While he claims it was a result of a blow to the back of the head, that looked a legitimate knock down to me. Ustinov is obviously encouraged by Barrett’s faintheartedness, landing some hard shots to Barrett’s previously injured shoulder and picking up the tempo. 10-8 round in my scorecard. 97-91 to Ustinov.
Round Eleven
The sad thing about Barrett’s performance is that he obviously knows how to defeat the Russian, control the fight from the center of the ring and work the bigger man from a distance with the jab in an attempt to set up a big punch but he just doesn’t have the strength or the stamina to implement the strategy. Not as busy a round as the previous one, but Ustinov is keeping the points ticking over while Barrett is making it more and more clear that he doesn’t want to be there, even just sitting there and taking a breather after being bundled onto the ropes. 107-100 to Ustinov.
Round Twelve
Barrett is again complaining about not being able to throw his right hand and obviously wants his corner to just end the match. While you can understand them not wanting to end the fight simply because their fighter doesn’t want it but if a fighter isn’t mentally in the match he shouldn’t be in it. Nothing round to end the match, as Ustinov is in complete control while Barrett is content to use his experience to avoid any real engagement. 117-109 on my scorecard.
Once again no English translations for the scorecards, but Ustinov gets the nod from all three judges. Ustinov could develop into a decent heavyweight as his footwork and headwork was pretty good early on and he seems to have a decent boxing brain. He’ll have to improve his stamina though, as a younger, hungrier fighter would have taken advantage of the opportunities his tiredness was creating in the final third of the match. Barrett on the other hand should consider calling it a career as his attempts to get his corner or the referee to call the match off were just getting embarrassing towards the end of the match.
On the undercard Gabor Veto defeats Obote Ameme by unanimous decision in a fairly entertaining four-round lightweight bout.
12 Rounds WBC Heavyweight Title Match: Vitali Klitschko vs. Kevin Johnson
Again, you have to admire the extent to which Sky is pushing Klitschko as a monster! Showing previous impressive performances including his bouts with Britons Lennox Lewis and Danny Williams. Clips of Haye and his trainer breaking down the fight, both putting over Klitschko as a monster. You have to think that if everything aligns for a title unification match between Vitali and Haye (and that assumes that Haye can get past Ruiz and Wladimir) it could do an absolutely monster number in Britain and Europe.
Buffer is doing the ring introductions. Fairly positive reaction for Kevin Johnson, with the Swiss crowd being more respectively for the ‘away’ fighter than (say) a British crowd. Pretty over the top entrance for Vitali Klitschko complete with big bell suspended above the arena, fire and a video with heavyweight legends such as Lennox and Foreman putting him over. Big reaction for the champion, who it goes without saying, is the big favorite in this match.
Round One
Both fighters are trying to work their jabs but despite Johnson’s greater reach, Klitschko is in control having taken control of the middle of the ring and just pushing the American back. Despite his big words in the build up, Johnson is being very defensive and gets pinned against the ropes. Little action that round but Klitschko quickly established his dominance and landed the telling blows. 10-9 to Klitschko.
Round Two
Klitschko obviously thinks little of the challenger, marching in at will to land nice one-two combinations. Klitschko is happy to work the jab and move in when the opportunity presents itself. Klitschko isn’t doing much but what he’s doing is completely nullifying Johnson with good ring control and some nice shots getting through. 20-18 to Klitschko.
Round Three
If anyone has a ‘champions aura’ then its Klitschko who isn’t doing much but what he’s doing is just sending the message loud and clear that he’s in charge. He’s keeping it simple, throwing one-twos and jabs and keeping the American on the back foot. Johnson again gets pinned on the ropes which limits the power that Johnson can get into his counters. Klitschko again walks in and gets some shots in and its another round to the champion, 30-27.
Round Four
I’ll give Johnson this, his headmovement is at least stopping Klitschko getting anything onto his chin. Other than that he’s been completely dominated by Klitschko who is controlling where the fight is taking place. Johnson obviously has speed but he just doesn’t have the ability to force Klitschko to move out of his slow, deliberate pace. Johnson gets some shots in towards the end of the round and seems that Klitschko has a cut above his right eye.
Its open scoring tonight, with the scorecards revealed at Round 4 and Rounds 8. All three judges have it 40-36 to Klitschko which is what I have as well.
Round Five
Better from Johnson who seems to be getting some foothold into the match with some nice jabs. However again Klitschko has control of the ring and midway through manages to cut off the ring and work over Johnson at his own pace. Johnson needs to up the tempo if he’s going to get into this fight. 50-45 to Klitschko.
Round Six
Klitschko marches in and again has Johnson backpedaling. Johnson is again getting pinned against the ropes and is just taking numerous glancing blows however he is stopping Klitschko from getting any clean shots in. Klitschko is completely bossing the round and while Johnson may be trying to wear down the champion, its the challenger who is breathing heavily. 60-54 to Klitschko and Johnson is going to have to raise his game if he’s to make this a competitive fight.
Round Seven
Although he’s working his usual patient, deliberate style, Klitschko is actually being quite aggressive moving forward from the second the bell goes. Klitschko has the centre of the ring and again Johnson is backpedaling with the champion putting together some nice combinations when he pins Johnson in the corner. Johnson manages to move out but he’s on the back foot for the entirety of the round. 70-63 to Klitschko.
Round Eight
The cut above Klitschko’s eye seems to be causing a few problems, with ice applied during the break. Klitschko is again dominant and is starting to vary his punches more obviously trying to finish the American. Johnson has little to offer in counter, allowing himself to be pushed back whenever pressed by Klitschko. A superb round for Klitschko who is fighting square bang in his comfort zone. 80-72 to the champion on my scorecard.
The open scoring was announced with two judges scoring it 80-72 while one judge gives two rounds to Johnson, which seems absolutely crazy to me. I mean I’d struggle to give him two minutes in this match let alone two rounds.
Round Nine
I’d say that the deliberate, constant pressure that Klitschko has put Johnson under over the past nine rounds has broken the American with the Ukrainian landing more freely than in the opening rounds. The round is really the same story as the previous eight rounds, with the Klitschko in complete control and just bossing Johnson around the ring at ease. 90-81 to Klitschko.
Round Ten
Klitschko looks oddly downbeat as if he’s so dominant that he’s getting bored of the fight himself. Johnson seems to have scaled down his ambitions and is content to just see out the match, with the American backpedaling and covering up at the sign of any danger. While it doesn’t make for the most entertaining match it would be an achievement of sorts to be only the second man to take the champion to the judges scorecard. 100-90 to Klitschko.
Round Eleven
As dominant and impressive as Klitschko is its times like this that make you doubt how effective he would have been in a stronger division. He obviously wants a knockout to please his fans but he can’t work out a way to unlock Johnson’s defense and set up the knockout. Still he is almost hypnotically effective at what he can does putting Johnson on the backfoot throughout the round and just landing point-scoring shots at will. A bit of trash talking between the two at the end of the round. 110-99
Round Twelve
An emphatic round for Klitschko as he hunts for the KO, Some showboating from Klitschko, in an attempt to provoke Johnson to abandon his defensive tactics. It works to an extent as we get a more open round than the ones previously with Klitschko getting some good shots in. With about a minute left, Klitschko finally lands a punch square on Johnson’s head and the American is visibly shaken by the shot. Klitschko tries to follow up and finish the match but the American manages to cling on. 120-108 to Klitschko.
Sky seems to have misheard the open rounds announcement, as Michael Buffer announces the judges scorecards as being 120-108, 120-108 and 119-109. I still have no idea how you could give a single minute let alone a round to Johnson. A very disappointing performance from the overmatched American who realized early on that he couldn’t win and so settled for going the distance. It was an impressive performance from a champion who was never forced out of his comfort zone and controlled the match with chilling control and for a 38 year old his stamina held up well across the twelve rounds. His failure to unlock the defense of Johnson will be at the forefront of his critics’ and future opponents’ minds.
Klitschko being interviewed now. Nothing of note really, says he’s disappointed that the fight went the distance but cited how defensive Johnson was. When asked about Haye, went through the motions of the usual statements about being interested but Haye has a mandatory defense first but when pressed what would happen if either brother met the WBA Champion he said simply ‘we would beat him’ and seemed poised to start cutting a promo about Haye’s pre-Valuev fight antics but stopped himself and went back into diplomacy mode. Obviously the Klitschko brothers are interested in facing Haye but aren’t going to be backed into a corner by him or his camp. And SKY end their telecast hyping the possibility of Haye vs Klitschko.
And that’s it for their coverage and our liveblog. Hope you enjoyed our coverage of this WBC Heavyweight Title fight.
Tags: Kevin Johnson, Klitschko Johnson live coverage, Vitali Klitschko, Vitali Klitschko vs Kevin Johnson
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