Vitali Klitschko injured, but event in Dortmund still on

12.07 – Bad luck for Dr. Vitali Klitschko. Just one week in front of his fight against American Larry Donald he suffered a slipped disc in training.

Klitschko was scheduled to defend his WBA international heavyweight title on July 20 at Westfalenhalle in Dortmund against Donald. But after suffering this injury he had to call off the fight.

“During sparring Vitali complained about pain in his back”, coach Fritz Sdunek remembered. “His movement appeared uncoordinated so I immediately stopped the training.”

The diagnosis of DBD (Bund Deutscher Berufsboxer) doctor Peter Benkendorff hurt the 30-year-old Ukrainian deeply.

“I’m extremely disappointed that I suffered such a heavy injury so close in front of the fight. I was in top shape and I was looking forward to my 33rd professional fight very much. It just needed one false movement to happen”, the WBA international champion explained.

“I will follow up the advices of my doctor and try everything to recover as soon as I can. I want to step back into the ring as soon as possible.”

German broadcasting channel ZDF and Universum Box-Promotion currently consider a fight between Larry Donald and another fighter from the Universum stable. Different alternatives are being discussed.

The event at Westfalenhalle in Dortmund will run as scheduled.

In two other title fights European heavyweight champion Luan Krasniqi, 20-0 (11), will make the first defense of his crown against Poland’s Przemyslaw Saleta, 40-4 (20), whereas Alexander Pektovic, 23-0-2 (11), and Rüdiger May, 34-2 (7), two European cruiserweight top contenders, will battle for the WBC international belt.