A Big Hello to Lennox

Vitaly Klychko [known as Klitschko or Klitchko in the West] proved as good as his word, after promising his fans a quick victory in a bout with the Canadian Kirk Johnson at Madison Square Garden. After less than two rounds, on Saturday December 6, the referee stopped the fight and announced Klychko’s TKO victory.

From the very start Vitaly made it clear that he was there to win. Aggressively and confidently he pinned Johnson to the ropes. The Canadian tried to impose infighting and get Vitaly with his left swing, but his punches missed. The 13 centimeter difference in height allowed the senior Klychko brother to attack Johnson in every direction, literally knocking him into the ring with powerful upward-down punches. In the last minute of the second round Johnson got a straight one in the head and a hook on the jaw, throwing him to his knees in a knockdown. As he rose the Canadian received a four-punch series knocking him out cold.

Vitaly Klychko greeted his fans from all corners of the ring and said on camera, “Lewis, I know you’ve watched this bout. Here’s a big hello. You’re a great champion, but I can beat you.” After the victory Vitaly Klychko can prepare for a WBC championship rematch with Lennox Lewis. The British boxer, however, seems in no hurry to meet the Ukrainian, saying his career is all but completed. If so, Vitaly Klychko will fight for a vacant championship title with a more daring rival.