Iconic English pugilist Lennox Lewis recently warned WBC heavyweight titlist "Dr. Iron Fist" Vitali Klitschko to not underestimate fellow Brit, and 9-1 underdog, Dereck Chisora when they meet February 18 at Olympiahalle in Munich, Germany.
"Vitali is very good but Chisora has a chance," Lewis, 46, told the Daily Mirror. "If Klitschko gets punched there is chance he might get hurt or knocked out."
Chisora (15-2, 10 KOs), a former British heavyweight titleholder who was born in Zimbabwe, has lost two of his past three fights.
Conversely, the elder Klitschko (43-2, 38 KOs), who has never been involved in a prizefight that he wasn’t winning at the end on the scorecards, has emerged victorious in 11 consecutive bouts.
“Dr. Iron Fist,” an accomplished kickboxer who amassed a sterling mark of 34-1 with 22 knockouts while competing in the sport, is an extremely tough Ukrainian and his ring prowess cannot be questioned.
In April 2000, "Dr. Iron Fist" easily outclassed Chris Byrd (40-6-1, 22 KOs) for nine rounds before he was forced to quit on his stool due to a torn rotator cuff that he suffered during the clash.
In June 2003, Vitali was beating Lewis (41-2-1, 32 KOs), one of the greatest heavyweight champions ever, after six rounds of captivating action.
Disappointingly, but justifiably, the referee halted the contest prior to the start of round seven and awarded Lewis the victory due to a drastically severe gash that had opened over Vitali's left eye.
Hence, Vitali Klitschko has never been genuinely trumped as a pro.
Klitschko told Sky Sports in September that he intends to hang-up his gloves in the very near future.
"I am not ready to give a clear answer, [but there is] not long left. But not sure how many fights - two, three, five," said Klitschko, 40.
Roger "Pit" Perron is a venerable boxing trainer from Brockton (Mass.) who now works with Mike and Rich Cappiello at their gym, Cappiello Brothers Boxing and Training.
“Chisora’s in over his head against Klitschko,” said Perron, 75, who worked with International Boxing Hall of Famer Marvelous Marvin Hagler. “He can’t mess with that monster.”
Considering that Klitschko has never once been floored during his professional career, it is somewhat comical for Lewis to claim his rival from yesteryear “might get hurt or knocked out" by the mediocre Chisora.
Vitali Klitschko is a prizefighter for the ages and he will manhandle Dereck Chisora and knockout the listless bloke within seven rounds in approximately two weeks.
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