Reuters – Ukrainian IBF and WBO titleholder Vladimir Klitschko (R) fights against British WBA champion David Haye … HAMBURG, Germany (Reuters) – Vladimir Klitschko beat Britain's David Haye on a unanimous points decision on Saturday to add the WBA heavyweight title to his three other belts and complete his family's domination of the division.
The Ukrainian, whose lighter and smaller opponent took him the full 12 rounds despite fighting with a broken toe, was declared the winner 117-109, 118-108 and 116-110 by the two American and one South African judge.
While denied the 50th career knockout he had hoped for, Klitschko could still celebrate with his brother and WBC champion Vitali.
Between them the pair now have the WBA, WBC, WBO, IBF and IBO belts, their lifelong dream of uniting the entire division in the family.
"I would have loved to celebrate my 50th knockout," said the Ukrainian, who was taunted publicly by the trash-talking English showman in the build-up to the fight and who was determined to make him pay.
"I am still not okay with his behavior before the fight," he said. "It's definitely disgraceful to the boxing fans, to the sport of boxing, the way the man behaved himself. I think the fight talked for itself."
Klitschko aimed and landed far more punches than Haye, who was unable to connect with his famed 'Hayemaker' while being picked off by the Ukrainian's jab.
He explained afterwards that had been more to do with the secret injury he was carrying.
"I broke my toe about three weeks ago," Haye told Sky television, baring his foot in the ring to prove his point. "I didn't let anyone know that.
"I've been giving it local anaesthetics in the gym... that's why I stopped sparring. My Hayemaker wasn't there, I couldn't push off my right foot to land that shot. It was really frustrating."
Haye said he had considered pulling out of the fight but had refused to let down the considerable British support among the 50,000 strong crowd who made the trip to Germany for their biggest heavyweight fight in nearly a decade.
"There was no way after all the good fans had paid so much money to come over here, I could not pull out," he said.
(Writing by Alan Baldwin in London, editing by Ken Ferris; For Reuters sports blog Left Field go to: http://blogs.reuters.com/sport)
Recent News
0 comments: on "SPORTS - Cruz outpoints Faber in UFC 132 (AP)"
Post a Comment