Boxing Preview: Vitali Klitschko vs. Albert Sosnowski

Tonight at the massive Veltins Arena in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, WBC heavyweight king Vitali Klitschko makes the fourth defense of his second title reign.

Challenging Klitschko is England based Pole Albert Sosnowski, the reigning European champion who has only lost twice over a 48 bout pro career.

At 6 feet 8 inches tall, Klitschko, 39-2 (37), literally towers over the heavyweight division and since returning to the sport in 2008 has handily defeated Sam Peter, Juan Carlos Gomez, Chris Arreola and Kevin Johnson.

Those challengers barely won a round over Klitschko and it is difficult to see Sosnowski improving upon that success rate.

Over the last two years, London resident Sosnowski, 45-2-1 (27), defeated Paolo Vidoz for the vacant European belt in December and holds a win over former British champ Danny Williams but has also been held to a draw by Francisco Pianeta for the European Union strap and lost every frame to American journeyman Zuri Lawrence over eight rounds.

That resume hardly bodes well considering Sosnowski will meet tonight the hardest punching boxer in the sport and likely the most awkward fighter as well.

Klitschko is 38 years of age and is giving away seven years of youth to the challenger but Sosnowski is truly fighting an uphill battle in this contest and will have to pull off an absolutely perfect performance to win the WBC title this evening.

On the undercard, NABF heavyweight titlist Johnathon Banks, 24-1 (17), defends against Jason Gavern, 19-7-3 (8), over 12 scheduled rounds.

Banks has won four straight since losing an IBF cruiserweight title clash with Tomasz Adamek last year while Gavern is coming off a split decision upset of Miguel Quezada in April.