By Karl Freitag
Photos: www.michaelsterlingeaton.com
WBA/IBF/WBO/IBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko (59-3, 51 KOs) scored a one-sided twelve round unanimous decision over previously unbeaten Mariusz Wach (27-1, 15 KOs) on Saturday night at the O2 World Arena in Hamburg, Germany. “Dr. Steelhammer” was much more aggressive than usual and dominated from the opening bell. Klitschko almost couldn’t miss with his jab or right hand. Wach showed a great chin in absorbing the blows, but little offense until he rocked Klitschko with a right hand at the end of round five. That was Wach’s last hurrah as he didn’t follow-up in round six. Wlad dominated the sixth and staggered Wach late. Wlad just teed off on Wach in the seventh and somehow Wach stayed on his feet. Wlad brutally punished Wach in a one-sided eighth round and referee Eddie Cotton looked on the verge of stopping it. The champion eased up on the gas in rounds nine and ten, but came on strong again in the eleventh. The gutsy Wach, however, was determined not to be knocked out and made it to the final bell. Scores were 120-107, 120-107, 119-109.
The fight was the first time the 6’6 Klitschko has ever fought a taller opponent and the first time in nine years Wlad didn’t have the late Hall of Fame trainer Emanuel Steward in his corner.
WBC #3/WBA #10/IBF #13/WBO #15 cruiserweight Rakhim Chakhkiev (16-0, 12 KOs) hammered out a hard than expected ten round unanimous decision over Andres Taylor (21-3-2, 8 KOs).
Former world title challenger and currently IBF #6 rated welterweight Rafal Jackiewicz (42-10-2, 21 KOs) and Rick Godding (18-0-1, 3 KOs) battled to a ten round majority draw.
