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Return Tilt With Bryd is Golden Chance for Klitschko
It was just four short months ago when the upcoming WBC Heavyweight Championship bout between defending titleholder Vitali Klitscko and challenger Hasim Rahman was generating much anticipation. Although the champion had only one successful title defense, an 8th round battering of 2nd tier contender Danny Williams, there was a growing perception that Klitschko was a late bloomer and was preparing to embark upon a respectable title run, punctuated by a knockout victory over Rahman.
However, Vitali never made it to November 12 at Las Vegas. Injuries have plagued his career and torn ligaments in his right knee abruptly ended his reign, and his career.
It was a career of promise unfulfilled. His courageous battle against Lennox Lewis stamped Klitschko as a champion in waiting. Although his style was cumbersome he could absorb punishment and he could punch and that alone was enough to propel him to the head of a heavyweight class that, charitably, has been found wanting since Lewis’ retirement.
There was the prospect of two Klitschko titleholders, as his brother Wladimir, viewed clearly as the better fighter of the two prior to his disastrous performances against Corrie Sanders and Lamon Brewster, remained a flawed yet potent force within the heavyweight division. It was the younger Klitschko who first carved a niche within the top ten in the heavyweight class, winning the WBO version of the championship with a 12 round decision over Chris Byrd in December of 2000. He successfully defended the crown five times, albeit against light caliber opposition.
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It was just four short months ago when the upcoming WBC Heavyweight Championship bout between defending titleholder Vitali Klitscko and challenger Hasim Rahman was generating much anticipation. Although the champion had only one successful title defense, an 8th round battering of 2nd tier contender Danny Williams, there was a growing perception that Klitschko was a late bloomer and was preparing to embark upon a respectable title run, punctuated by a knockout victory over Rahman.
However, Vitali never made it to November 12 at Las Vegas. Injuries have plagued his career and torn ligaments in his right knee abruptly ended his reign, and his career.
It was a career of promise unfulfilled. His courageous battle against Lennox Lewis stamped Klitschko as a champion in waiting. Although his style was cumbersome he could absorb punishment and he could punch and that alone was enough to propel him to the head of a heavyweight class that, charitably, has been found wanting since Lewis’ retirement.
There was the prospect of two Klitschko titleholders, as his brother Wladimir, viewed clearly as the better fighter of the two prior to his disastrous performances against Corrie Sanders and Lamon Brewster, remained a flawed yet potent force within the heavyweight division. It was the younger Klitschko who first carved a niche within the top ten in the heavyweight class, winning the WBO version of the championship with a 12 round decision over Chris Byrd in December of 2000. He successfully defended the crown five times, albeit against light caliber opposition.
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