VITALI KLITSCHKO REGISTERS IMPRESSIVE 11-TH ROUND TKO OVER VAUGHN BEAN

09.02 - In a performance his trainer Fritz Sunk calls "by far his best since coming back," former World Boxing Organization (WBO) heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko retained his World Boxing Association (WBA) International title with a dominant 11th-round TKO over Vaughn "Shake And Bake" Bean Friday night in Braunschweig, Germany.

"He was the most awkward fighter I have ever fought," the 6-foot-8, 30-year-old Klitschko said after improving to 31-1 with 30 knockouts. "I am very happy with the result. I know Bean can take a good punch and is always dangerous so I did not want to push it and just try for a knockout. I had trained to go 12 rounds.''

Klitschko, who was born in the Ukraine, but lives in his adopted homeland of Germany, won every round in impressive style. The referee stopped the one-sided proceedings at 1:40 of the 11th. The best moments for Bean (42-3, 32 KO's), whose only losses were on points to then-IBF champion Michael Moorer and then-WBA-IBF champion Evader Holy field, came in the eighth round when he landed two solid hooks flush on Klitschko's chin. But Klitschko roared back to win the round and continued to press the action thereafter. At bout's conclusion, both of Bean's eyes were badly swollen.

By becoming the first boxer to defeat Bean inside the distance - last Dec. 8, he became the first to stop Ross Puritty, also by 11th-round TKO - Klitschko remains the WBC's mandatory challenger to fight the winner of a Lennox Lewis-Mike Tyson fight. Vitali is ranked No. 2 in the World Boxing Council (WBC) and the WBO, and No. 3 in the World Boxing Association (WBA).

"I am really hoping they can make that fight soon," said the once-beaten Klitschko, who is 4-0 since losing to Chris Byrd in a WBO title defense on April 1, 2000, in which he suffered a torn rotator cuff. "The sooner that fight is made and they fight, the sooner I get to fight the winner.''

Younger brother Wladimir, the WBO heavyweight champion, reports that his next title defense likely will be against former IBF heavyweight champion Frans Botha on March 16 in Stuttgart, Germany. "I am told the fight is not 100 percent but that it is very close to being finalized," said Wladimir, who worked Vitali's corner Friday night.

Due to promotional problems involving Bean, the fight with Vitali Klitschko was not shown on same-day tape delay on ESPN2 as scheduled. Photo: AP

Klitschko Set To Make A Meal Out Of Bean

By Chris Curry

05.02 - Hard hitting Vitali Klitschko is set to make a meal out of two time World Heavyweight Title challenger, Vaughn Bean 44-2 (32). The older half of the Klitschko duo defends his WBA International Heavyweight Championship in Braunschweig, Germany this Friday night. The Ukrainian powerhouse, Vitali has all to fight for and it is great to see a step up in class as the former WBO Heavyweight World Champion keeps busy to secure at World Title shot for the WBC Championship. As the WBC's number two contender and with Mike Tyson's fight on a knife edge with Lennox Lewis, Vitali could be fighting for the World Championship against Lewis after he defends against and disposes of Wladimir Kiltschko's punchbag, Chris Byrd. Byrd as the IBF's number one contender could fill Mike Tyson's place as Lennox's backup plan, paving the way for a much anticipated Lewis/Klitschko "Battle of the Giants" showdown.

Vitali's last outing was against his younger brother's sole conquer. Ross Puritty stopped Wladimir when the currant WBO Heavyweight World Champion ran out of steam in a battle he was winning. Vitali won the war and thrilled the Boxing fans in December when he stopped Puritty in round eleven.

Vaughn Bean also comes to fight, giving Former two time Heavyweight Champion, Michael Moorer and Former four time Heavyweight Champion, Evander Holyfield all they could handle in close fought decisions. To Beans credit these are his only losses and Vitali should have a good nights work ahead of him. With Michael Moorer and Evander Holyfield being so called "small" Heavyweights, Vaughn Bean will be in with a so called "large" Heavyweight, standing at six feet eight inch's tall. Vaughn is also looking for World Title Challenge number three. With his WBC number eight ranking, if he could defeat Vitali who is on the number two spot, that would put him in the position for the Championship. So really this contest has more than the WBA International Heavyweight Championship at stake, it is really a World Heavyweight Championship eliminator.

Vitali's power and size should keep Vaughn Bean at bay. Vaughn will be eager to fight and the Giant Kiltschko I believe will be the first man to stop him in what will be a entertaining and mostly one sided contest. Vitali Kilschko is one of the most dangerous punchers in Heavyweight Boxing today and the Kilschko brothers joint goal is to reign as World Heavyweight Champions at the same time and this goal is looking a lot closer as the Klitschkos set out to jointly rule the Heavyweight Boxing World.

By Chris Curry, Belfast, Northern Ireland.

Klitschko-Bean on ESPN 2

05.02 - Former World Boxing Organization (WBO) heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko knows he cannot afford a mistake when he defends his World Boxing Association (WBA) International title against Vaughn “Shake And Bake” Bean Friday in Braunschweig, Germany.

“All of my fights are important now and I must win them all,” the 6-foot-8, 30-year-old Klitschko said. “This is a fight where I have everything to gain by winning, and everything to lose by losing. That is why I have trained so hard and am looking forward to Friday so much.’’

Klitschko, who was born in the Ukraine, but lives in his adopted homeland of Germany, is coming off an impressive 11th-round TKO over Ross Puritty on Dec. 8 in Oberhausen, Germany. He is ranked No. 2 in the World Boxing Council (WBC) and the WBO, and No. 3 in the World Boxing Association (WBA). As importantly, Klitschko is the WBC’s mandatory challenger to fight the winner of a Lennox Lewis-Mike Tyson fight.

“I know there are some problems, but I hope the situation with Lewis and Tyson can be sorted out quickly,” Klitschko said. “I want to fight the winner as soon as possible.’’

The older brother of WBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko, Vitali will bring a record of 30-1 with 29 KOs into the 12-round bout at the new, 8,000-seat VW Arena, which is sold-out. Bean, of Chicago, is 42-2 with 32 KOs and has never been knocked out. The WBC’s eighth-ranked contender’s only losses came on decisions in world heavyweight title fights to then-IBF champion Michael Moorer and then-WBA-IBF champion Evander Holyfield.

“Vaughn Been is a terrific opponent, losing just two out of 44 fights, and both in title fights,” Klitschko said. “There is no way I can underestimate him or any opponent any more.’’

As if Klitschko needed additional motivation, the fight will be shown on same-day tape delay on ESPN2.

“Getting as much exposure as possible in America is a goal of my brother and myself,” he said. “Millions of people will be watching Friday night. I hope to give them a devastating performance.’’

As per usual, Wladimir will work his brother’s corner. “The next day I will be back in the gym training,” he said. Wladimir, who injured a shoulder injury two days before Thanksgiving, is expected to defend his WBO title in March.