Vitali (38-2, 37 KOs) stopped Cris Arreola in the
10th round in Los Angeles last Sept. for Chris’s first loss.
The fight was hard fought and Chris pressured Vitali throughout
the fight. Chris said recently prior to his fight with Brian Minto
that he got his ass kicked plain and simple. “I never been beat
like that in my life, ever”. Chris KOed Minto in a slug fest
which saw Minto go down twice in the 4th round before
the fight was stopped.

Vitali Klitschko is a three-time champion, and is undefeated
since returning after a retirement caused by injuries and a decision
to run for political office. He returned to claim the WBC title a year ago
by stopping Samuel Peter in the ninth round. He followed that fight with
a title defense win over Juan Carlos Gomez.

Vitali Klitschko will defend his WBC heavyweight champion title in
Bern on Dec.12 against Kevin Johnson of the United States.
Kevin “KJ”, is ranked No. 6 by the WBA and WBC. He said in a prefight
news conference he made a “a promise” by telling his 10-year-old daughter,
Fatimah, he will beat 38-year-old Vitali.

Johnson is 22-0-1 with nine knockouts. In May, the 30-year-old beat
Devin Vargas in a matchup of undefeated fighters.
“I’ve worked long and hard for this chance and I’m going to take it,” Johnson
said. “I’m sorry for Klitschko that I have to spoil his Christmas,” Johnson said.

Vitali said “I will not underestimate Johnson and as always will prepare myself
meticulously for my opponent,” .
Asked if the 30-year-old Johnson could defeat him, Vitali replied: “Yes, he can.
It will not be easy for me. I am more than sure that it will be a real battle.”

But Vit is “Iron Fist”
And KJ “Kingpin”
is next on the list…

update 12.12.09

Kevin had a lot to say in the prefight interview but did little to back any of it
up in the ring.
He tried his version of the rope a dope but it didn’t work against Vitali.
Vitali won a unanimous decision against Johnson who was merely trying to survive.
Which he did becoming only the 2nd fighter to go the distance against Vitali.