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Wladimir Klitschko to defend against Corrie Sanders
30.01 - Hamburg - „Steelhammer“ Wladimir Klitschko will defend his WBO heavyweight world title on March 8 against Corrie Sanders, 38-2 (28 KOs), a powerful South African who knocked out 18 of his opponents in the opening round.
Promoter Klaus-Peter Kohl regards Sanders as highly dangerous: “Sanders has beaten a large number of strong opponents, many of them by knockout in the first round. And he has an impressive record.”
Kohl thinks Sanders is a better fighter than Kirk Johnson or Fres Oquendo, two other top ranked heavyweights who he took into consideration as possible challengers for Wladimir Klitschko, 40-1 (37 KOs).
The South African champion held the WBU world title from 1997 to 2000 and has the reputation as best white heavyweight of the past years beside the Klitschkos. In addition Sanders is a southpaw, a challenge not only for Wladimir Klitschko’s skills but also the tactical cleverness of his coach Fritz Sdunek.
Sanders’ only loss in the past nine years came against Hasim Rahman who two fights later knocked out reigning world champion Lennox Lewis.
The site of Wladimir Klitschko’s 6th world title defense is the huge Preussag Arena in Hannover. In his last defense the 26-year-old Klitschko retained his crown against American Jameel McCline on December 7 in Las Vegas. Wladimir Klitschko captured the WBO belt in October of 2000 with a 12-round shut out decision over Chris Byrd who meanwhile holds the IBF title.
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