No sweat for champ Klitschko

Undisputed world heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko retained his titles on Saturday with a fifth-round KO of Australian challenger Alex Leapai.

Klitschko defended his WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO belts in Oberhausen and was in complete control of his 25th world title fight as he knocked out Leapai two minutes and five seconds into the fifth round.

"It wasn't easy, because my head was with my countrymen in Ukraine," said the champion.

"What is going on in my home country is the concern of the whole world," said Klitschko, who landed 147 punches compared to just 10 for Leapai.

"I hope that the politicians in my home country will find a peaceful solution, I am proud of my people."

Klitschko picked up the 53rd knockout and 62nd victory in the 65th fight of his career and had Leapai on the canvas three times before the referee stepped in.

"You gave everything, and I respect that," the champion said to his Samoa-born Australian challenger.

The 34-year-old Leapai had few answers and failed to live up to his pre-fight promises to knock out Klitschko.

"I'm all right; I want to thank Wladimir for the opportunity, he showed why he's the champion," said the muscular truck driver, who suffered the fifth defeat of his career.

Both fighters tipped the scales at 247 pounds, but Klitschko had just over double the victories, compared to Leapai's 24 KOs in 30 wins. The champion also enjoyed a six-inch height advantage.

A heavy right from Klitschko put Leapai on the canvas midway through the first round and the Ukrainian champion was landing his shots at will in the second.

Living up to his nickname of 'Lionheart', Leapai soaked up the champion's punches and kept looking to land a big hay-maker.

He took several hard punches to the head and face in the third round, with Klitschko using his height advantage to stay out of the Australian's reach.

A heavy right hand from Klitschko midway through the fifth caught Leapai flush on the side of the head and effectively ended the fight.

Leapai was back on his feet by the count of seven, but Klitschko moved in and quickly floored the Australian again as the referee waved the end of the fight.

Klitschko suffered the last of his three defeats on April 10, 2004 to Lamon Brewster in Las Vegas and with the 38-year-old peerless in the division, he has said he wants to fight for another 10 years.

Joe Louis' 12-year record for the longest reigning world heavyweight champion will fall if Klitschko is unbeaten for the next four years, having won his first title in 2006.

(China Daily 04/28/2014 page23)