|
|
|
|
|
Wladimir Klitschko was going to be the next dominant heavyweight, when he decided to take a tune-up fight with Sanders in March of 2003. A showdown with heavyweight king, Lewis, was waiting for the younger Klitschko, after he took out the huge underdog. Four knockdowns later, Sanders was the victor and Klitschko was exposed as another over-hyped bust.
Vitali Klitschko got his chance for the title last June, when he battled Lewis over six grueling rounds. Lewis was victorious due to deep, gruesome cuts over Klitschko's left eye. Lewis won the fight, but Klitschko won the hearts of the fans.
Klitschko would return to the ring in December and blast out Kirk Johnson in just two rounds. Less than two months later, Lewis retired his crown, leaving Klitschko as the top contender for the heavyweight championship.
With the rest of the heavyweight division lacking in excitement or top prospects, it's imperative that at least one of the fighters emerges as a household name after Saturday night's fight.
Prediction: Sanders will come out bombing. It took Sanders less than a round to drop the younger Klitschko, and he'll try to repeat the performance on Saturday night. Vitali Klitschko showed that he possesses a pretty good chin during the Lewis fight and should be able to take most of Sanders' power shots. It will be exciting while it lasts. Klitschko will survive some scary moments early and batter a tiring Sanders in the middle rounds.
Klitschko by mid-round stoppage. With the victory, Klitschko will be crowned the next superstar of the sport.
Jason's prediction record in 2004: 5-1.
The heavyweight championship can be seen on HBO's World Championship Boxing Saturday night at 9:30 pm ET.
Jason Herron can be reached at: jasondfd@hotmail.com.
