Klitschko beats Briggs to retain title
Source: Agencies |
October 18, 2010, Monday
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UKRAINE'S Vitali Klitschko retained his WBC world heavyweight title by beating American Shannon Briggs on points in Hamburg, Germany, on Saturday.
The decision went unanimously in favor of the 39-year-old Klitschko after he dominated the 12-round fight against Briggs to defend his title for the fifth time.
The challenger looked in danger of going down on several occasions and was saved by the bell at the end of the seventh round when Klitschko had him on the ropes.
The judges scored it 120-107, 120-107 and 120-105 for Klitschko.
"I am very surprised by how much he took," Klitschko said. "He's got a huge heart."
It was only the fifth time Klitschko had failed to knock out an opponent - he has now won 41 of 43 fights in his career, 38 of them by knockout. Briggs dropped to 51-6, with one draw.
"He's the best man I've ever boxed against," said Briggs, 38, who at 119 kilograms was five kg heavier than the Ukrainian.
"I've fought George Foreman, I've fought Lennox Lewis and Vitali's the best. He hits harder than Foreman, he's got incredibly fast hands."
Klitschko said Briggs, at 38 one year younger, deserved "a lot of respect."
Klitschko's brother Wladimir holds the WBO, IBO and IBF world heavyweight titles while Briton David Haye is the WBA champion.
The decision went unanimously in favor of the 39-year-old Klitschko after he dominated the 12-round fight against Briggs to defend his title for the fifth time.
The challenger looked in danger of going down on several occasions and was saved by the bell at the end of the seventh round when Klitschko had him on the ropes.
The judges scored it 120-107, 120-107 and 120-105 for Klitschko.
"I am very surprised by how much he took," Klitschko said. "He's got a huge heart."
It was only the fifth time Klitschko had failed to knock out an opponent - he has now won 41 of 43 fights in his career, 38 of them by knockout. Briggs dropped to 51-6, with one draw.
"He's the best man I've ever boxed against," said Briggs, 38, who at 119 kilograms was five kg heavier than the Ukrainian.
"I've fought George Foreman, I've fought Lennox Lewis and Vitali's the best. He hits harder than Foreman, he's got incredibly fast hands."
Klitschko said Briggs, at 38 one year younger, deserved "a lot of respect."
Klitschko's brother Wladimir holds the WBO, IBO and IBF world heavyweight titles while Briton David Haye is the WBA champion.
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