Klitschko remains unbeaten
April 27, 2014
In front of around 12,000 spectators in the western German town of Oberhausen, world heavyweight champion Klitschko faced little resistance from Samoan-born Australian Leapai and retained his WBA, WBO, IBF and IBO crowns.
Klitschko, 15 centimeters (6 inches) taller than his rival, controlled the fight and pummeled the hapless Australian in round five, knocking him down once again before a clean knockout with less than a minute left in the round.
The 38-year-old Ukrainian has now been unbeaten for 10 years. In April 2004, he lost against Lamon Brewster.
Leapai, who is 34 years old, got a shot at the world title after his stunning win over Russian Denis Boytsov in November last year.
Vladimir Klitschko's brother, Vitali Klitschko, who has retired from boxing to become one of the leading opposition figures in Ukraine, was in Oberhausen to support his brother. "It was textbook fighting by Vladimir. He did not make a mistake," Vitali Klitschko said.
Meanwhile, Leapai, who is a delivery truck driver, said it was time to "go back to the gym."
ng/jm (Reuters, AP, AFP)