Boxing: No hitch for Wladimir Klitscho in title fight

WORLD heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko retained his titles with an easy victory over Jean-Marc Mormeck last night.

A 50th knockout of his career enabled the 35-year-old to beat the French challenger in the fourth round in Dusseldorf. Former world cruiserweight champion Mormeck was no match for the IBF, IBO, WBO and WBA title-holder.

The fight, originally scheduled for last December but postponed because Klitschko had a kidney stone removed in the same month, went as expected.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The first round was a one-sided affair with Mormeck’s approach seemingly to suppress the Germany-based Ukrainian. The Frenchman was soon on the back foot in the second round and after his legs had wobbled under the power of a Klitschko right-hander he found himself on the floor after another. To his credit Mormeck got up and saw out the end of the round and held his own in a scrappy third.

However, the contest was ended a little more than a minute into the fourth with a fearsome right-left combination sending Mormeck, 39, to the floor. Puerto Rican referee Luis Pabon counted out the challenger, leaving Klitschko to celebrate a 57th career win.