Vitali Klitschko defends his heavyweight title this Saturday in Berne, Switzerland against Kevin Johnson. The fight will air live on Sky Sports in the United Kingdom but can also be seen on tape-delay on HBO alongside the Juan Diaz vs. Paulie Malignaggi card.
Vitali Klitschko vs. Kevin Johnson(WBC Heavyweight Title)
Money Line: Klitschko -2000; Johnson +1000
Vitali Klitschko, 38-2 (37 KOs), will be making his third title defense since returning from a four-year absence from the ring. Known as a scientist in the ring, Vitali Klitschko uses the jab better than anyone else in the heavyweight division right now. He is always in top physical shape when he enters the ring and has shown a growing amount of confidence in the ring. His last fight was a thorough destruction of Chris Arreola in September. In fact, Klitschko’s last ten wins have come by stoppage. The money line listed above is not a misprint. Klitschko really is a 20 to 1 favorite.
Kevin Johnson, 22-0-1 (9 KOs), is in way over his head in this one. He has never been in a fight that was scheduled for 12 rounds before. His biggest win was against, well I’m still searching for his biggest win. Johnson’s last fight was the main event on Friday Night Fights. None of this is an attempt to say that Johnson is a bad fighter. He is merely outclassed in this one. Johnson will, however, enter this fight with an undefeated record and a two-inch reach advantage over the champion.
Staff Predictions
Corey: No disrespect to Kevin Johnson, who might be a quality heavyweight, but he hasn’t done anything to earn a shot at who I believe is the best heavyweight in the world, Vitali Klitschko. And that is the number one reason to pick against him going into this fight. Compared to Klitschko, Johnson has virtually no experience whatsoever. But there are other reasons beyond that. For one, he won’t benefit from the same size advantage he has enjoyed against most of the opponents he’s fought. With just nine knockouts in 22 wins, Johnson also lacks the power to earn Klitschko’s respect, and no one has been able to out box Vitali yet. Klitschko again proves too big, too skilled and sharpshoots his way to a knockout in the eighth round.
Trent: This one is not a question of if, but a question of when. Vitali Klitschko will win this fight. The only drama will center around when the Ukraine will finish the American. Corey has already set the bar at eight so it’s up to me to pick an over/under. Vitali is patient, almost to a fault, in the ring. He loves to work behind his jab and he takes his time breaking his opponent down. I’m taking the over in the non-existent bet between Corey and myself and saying the fight is stopped in the 10th. The referee will have seen enough and will stop the fight. Unfortunately it will probably be about seven rounds after I have seen enough.
