Heavyweight Champion Vitali Klitschko improved his record to 44-2 (with 40 KO?s) and defended his title for the 8th time since regaining it from Samuel Peter back in 2008 off a 4 year layoff winning a 12 round unanimous decision over the classy Dereck Chisora (15-3 with 9 KO?s). At the weigh in as the two fighters came face to face for the customary staredown/photo opportunity, Chisora elected to get physical while off the clock and slapped Vitali?s face very hard. Nine out of ten fighters would have physically retaliated , but Vitali chose to simply do so verbally letting Dereck know that he was now ?really fuc*ed.”
Leading all the way up to the fight, Chisora maintained his ultra classy demeanor by spitting water into the face of Vitali?s brother Wladimir during the pre fight introductions. Again, nine out of ten fighters would have retaliated, but did the younger Klitschko? Nope. He simply looked at Chisora in disgust and while doing so was the bigger man both literally and figuratively. Mr. Chisora wasn?t finished with his antics. At the post fight press conference, he engaged in fisticuffs with fellow British heavyweight boxer David Haye, even threatening to shoot him afterwards.
Dereck Chisora represents everything that is wrong with so many modern boxers and athletes in general. Boxing could use far less Chisoras and far more Klitschkos. The Klitschko brothers receive so much criticism for being ?boring? and for being ?very good, but fighting in a crappy era?. It?s time for them to receive some positive press. These men are just that: men. They exude class, are true professionals that remain in shape year round and conduct themselves the way champions should.
It may be a shoddy heavyweight era, but the Klitschko brothers take on all comers, don?t duck anyone and fight intelligently utilizing all their attributes to their utmost potential. They are bright, polite, and can really fuc*in fight! What more could you ask of a champion? Seriously, what else can these guys do short of getting into a time machine and taking on a prime Tyson, Holmes, Ali, or Foreman? This author has a strong suspicion that history will view the Klitschko brothers in a similar fashion that the great Larry Holmes was viewed: only ?great? decades after he was past his prime. It will take time for many historians to properly rate these great, Ukrainian siblings. Until then, try to enjoy their reign. They have much to stand tall about — and I am not referring to their lofty height.
