JUST WHAT DOCTOR ORDERED: VITALI KLITSCHKO RETURNS TO RING AND SOUNDLY THRASHES ROSS PURITTY

09.12 - In a near career-best performance, Dr. Vitali Klitschko retained his WBA International heavyweight title, got sweet revenge for his brother and became the mandatory challenger for the winner of the Lennox Lewis-Mike Tyson fight by dominating Ross Puritty en route to winning by 11th-round TKO Saturday night at Oberhausen, Germany.

Making his first start in 10 ½ months, the former World Boxing Organization heavyweight champion maintained a strong, steady pace throughout and won every round before 12,500 fans at Oberhausen Arena. Klitschko (30-1, 29 KOs) cut a battered and bruised Puritty (27-15-3, 24 KOs) over the right eye in the 11th round and the one-sided bout was stopped at 1:16.

"I am very pleased and satisfied with the way the fight went," Klitschko said. "I trained very hard. My preparation was such that I knew I could go 12 rounds. Puritty has an iron chin and takes a good punch. Because this was my first fight since January, I think he expected me to weaken as the first progressed, but instead I got stronger. I know I was hurting him with my punches throughout.

"This was an important fight for me and the victory really motivates me for 2002. Now, I plan to work even harder. I will be at my best when I get to fight the winner of Lewis and Tyson.''

By thoroughly whipping Puritty and improving to 3-0 since coming back from shoulder surgery, Klitschko squared matters with his brother Wladimir, who's only loss came against Puritty. Wladimir captured the WBO heavyweight title by whipping Chris Byrd. Vitali's lone setback came in a WBO title defense against Byrd in a bout on April 1, 2000, in which Vitali suffered a torn rotator cuff.

"I have never seen my brother fight so well for so long," Wladimir said. "He was quite impressive. I am very happy for him and his performance.''