The Cyber Boxing Zone Newswire



Vitali Klitschko stops French Champion

(Hamburg, 20 February 1999) In front of 7,000 spectators in the sold out Alsterdorfer Sporthalle in Hamburg European heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko stopped the French champion Ismael Youla in the second round.

Before the eyes of WBO heavyweight champion Herbie Hide, who attended the fight at ringside, Klitschko hurt Youla with a left-right combination and another left hand to the head midway through round two. Rocked by those punches Youla stumbled backwards and was knocked down and through the ropes by another combination of the undefeated 6 feet 8 Ukrainian. The referee didn't bother to count and called a halt to the bout at 1:30 into the second round.

It was the second successful defense of Klitschko, who won the vacant title with a second round knockout over Mario Schiesser in October and defended it against the Italian champion Francesco Spinelli in December with a KO in the first round.

Vitali Klitschko improved to 24-0 (24 KO´s), whereas Youla dropped to 11-3 (7 KO´s).

The main event in the Alsterdorfer Sporthalle was canceled, when WBC Cruiserweight champion Juan Carlos Gomez had to pull out with high temperature and a diagnosed influencial infection. His title defense against Marcelo Dominguez is now scheduled for 13 March in Lübeck.

"I was not hit by a single punch", Klitschko commented after the fight. "Youla was a good opponent with a hard punch. But I gave him no chance to hit me."

Vitali Klitschko is ranked number 1 by the WBO and thus the mandatory challenger of champion Herbie Hide.

"Klitschko is not mobile enough and I'm faster than him", Hide commented afterwards. "I will stop Klitschko in the fifth round."

Some observers took it as a sign of respect that the high-handed Hide was predicting a round as late as the fifth. Usualy the cocky Brit is quick in predicting first or second round KO´s.

The fight between Vitali Klitschko and Herbie Hide is tentatively scheduled for July.

"I have the confirmation now that Vitali is ready for a fight against Herbie Hide", promoter Klaus-Peter Kohl stated. "As soon as we find a suitable arena we will promote this fight in Germany."

q

Fabian Weber
International Press Spokesman
Universum Box-Promotion GmbH
Am Stadtrand 27
22047 Hamburg
Germany
Tel: +49 40 696559-0
Fax:+49 40 696559-50

Upcoming Fights

Current Champions

Boxing Journal

On-line Encyclopedia

News

Main Page

[Return to Top]