Klitschko clinches emphatic win

UNDISPUTED world heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko has said he wants to improve despite retaining his titles with a unanimous points win over Russia’s Alexander Povetkin.

The Ukrainian champion enjoyed an emphatic victory on Saturday in Moscow in his 24th world title fight, putting Povetkin on the canvas four times, three of which came in the seventh round alone.

All three judges awarded the fight 119-104 in Klitschko’s favour as he retained his WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO belts against the previously unbeaten Povetkin.

This was Klitschko’s 61st victory in his 64th professional bout, in front of a 14 000-strong crowd, having earned his first world title back in 2006.

“I believe it was a deserved win, but I think I can improve still,” said Klitschko after the battle between the two former Olympic superheavyweight champions.

“It was a fight against an opponent who had never lost before and really wanted to win.

“It was the fight of his life and wasn’t easy.

“Despite taking many hits, he stayed on his feet and kept fighting on.

“Even at the end, he tried to land the lucky punch.

“I had to torture myself to win this one, but it was worth it.” Having put Povetkin down three times in the seventh, Klitschko, 37, admitted he was annoyed not to claim the 52nd knock-out of his career there and then.

“Yeah, a bit. It’s always a dream of mine to dominate a fight so much that the opponent has no chance to hurt me and I knock him out.”

After the fight at Moscow’s Olimpiyski Arena, Povetkin admitted Klitschko deserved to be the undisputed champion.

“He was the better fighter – he’s the best in the world, that’s clear,” said the 34-year-old immediately after the bout. – Sapa-AFP