Klitschko KOs Sosnowski

By Karl Freitag

WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko (40-2, 38 KOs) scored a tenth round KO over Albert Sosnowski (45-3-1, 27 KOs) on Saturday night before a huge crowd at the Veltins Arena, in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. A heavy favorite, Klitschko had to work harder than expected against a determined challenger.

Klitschko kept Sosnowski on the outside in round one. Another measured round for Klitschko in round two. Sosnowski landed a few shots in round three. Another workmanlike round for Klitschko in the fourth. Klitschko began to open up in the fifth punishing Sosnowski. More good work from Klitschko in the sixth, but Sosnowski remained game. Another round for Klitschko in the seventh, but Sosnowski backed him up on occasion. Sosnowski landed a good right in the eighth.

Klitschko had his best round of the fight so far in the ninth, landing numerous hard shots. Klitschko came out for the kill in the tenth, finally sending Sosnowski to the deck. Referee Jay Nady immediately waved it off saving the glassy-eyed challenger from further abuse. Time was 2:20. It was Klitschko’s fourth successful title defense.

In an ugly bout, WBC #7 heavyweight Johnathon Banks (24-1-1, 17 KOs) and upset specialist Jason Gavern (19-7-4, 8 KOs) battled to a twelve round draw. It was a foul-filled clinchfest. Gavern was deducted a point in round six, Banks was deducted a point in the seventh. Banks seemed to knockdown Gavern in the eighth, but it was ruled a slip. Scores were 113-113, 113-113, 115-111. Banks kept his NABF title. Referee Juergen Langos called it the dirtiest fight he’s ever officiated.

Unbeaten cruiserweight Nenad Borovcanin (26-0, 18 KOs) was forced to go the full six in a unanimous decision win over Raymond Ochieng (21-11-3, 17 KOs).

May 29th, 2010

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