Boxing Preview: Vitali Klitschko vs. Kevin Johnson

Tonight, the WBC heavyweight belt will be on the block at Post Finance Arena In Berne, Switzerland as champion Vitali Klitschko continues a very active title reign.

The towering 38 year old will be facing his fourth opponent since returning from a four year absence in October of last year and it will be a major upset if American Kevin Johnson fares any better than Klitschko’s previous three victims.

Johnson, 22-0-1 (9), brings an undefeated record to Bern but little else in the way of recognizable names on his resume as the 30 year old Atlanta man has run through a list of respectable but less than world class opposition since turning pro almost seven years ago.

Klitschko, 38-2 (37), is without a doubt, the top heavyweight today and at 6’8 tall, packing a tremendous punch to go along with an iron chin and very awkward style, will be very difficult for Johnson to defeat.

But, this is boxing and bigger upsets have occurred. Johnson will likely be quicker than Klitschko and has good skills to offer behind a good jab but lacks a concussive punch and thus will have to be far, far busier than he’s ever shown in the past to outwork the champion.

On the undercard are two heavyweight bouts of note as Alexander Ustinov, 18-0 (15), and Monte Barrett, 34-8 (20), meet for the EBA crown while Johnathon Banks, 22-1 (15), clashes with Marcel Zeller, 22-5 (21), over eight frames.