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In rematch of their title bout three years ago, Wladimir Klitschko makes the third defence of his IBF heavyweight title against American Lamon Brewster in Koln, Germany tonight.
In the days of Lennox Lewis, Wladimir Klitschko was being billed as the next dominant heavyweight champion to replace Lewis when he retired.
After an early hiccup in 1998 against Ross Purity, Klitschko went on to win the WBO title with a wide points victory over American Chris Byrd in late 2000.
Everything seem to be going fine for the giant Ukrainian as he compiled five more defences of his crown. Then in March 2003, in a seemingly routine defence against veteran Corrie Sanders, Klitschko’s world fell apart around his ears. Two crushing rounds later he was an ex-champion.
To his credit after a crushing defeat, Klitschko soldiered on, scoring two wins before being matched with Lamon Brewster for the vacant title one year later. Again, Klitschko would fall apart. After a bright start, Klitschko faded, losing in five.
But, for his faults, Wlad for me is the best of the current heavyweight crop with plenty of character.
This was shown in September 2005 when, in a give and take battle against big punching Nigerian Samuel Peter, he survived three knockdowns on his way to a close decision win.
Klitschko, like Lennox Lewis nine years earlier, had survived his “Ray Mercer” fight and was ready for another title shot.
Against old foe Chris Byrd, Klitschko in April 2006 was a victor in seven rounds for the IBF crown and has since made two successful defences.
Against Brewster, Klitschko meets a durable opponent, who like Wlad, was being touted as a being a major player in the heavyweight ranks.
Three years older than Klitschko at 34, Brewster himself is a former WBO champion after bursting the Klitschko bubble in 2004. His biggest win since then was a one round blowout of unpredictable Pole Andrew Golota in May 2005. However, he has only fought once in the last 12 months, losing the WBO crown to Serguei Lyakhovich on points in April last year.
For me this is more Klitschko’s fight to lose rather than Brewster’s to win. Despite his faults, which have been exposed in the past, Klitschko I feel will have too much for Brewster and has been far the more active recently.
I can see Klitschko using his physical advantages to keep the stockier Brewster on the outside while conserving his energy.
I dont think stamina will be an issue in this one and I feel that Wlad will continue his reign as champion with a late stoppage victory.
