Klitschko retains WBO crown with Leapai knockout

Monday, 28 April 2014 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

REUTERS: World heavyweight champion Vladimir Klitschko easily retained his WBO crown when he knocked out Alex Leapai of Australia in the fifth round on Saturday in an overwhelmingly one-sided bout. The 38-year-old Klitschko, who holds the WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO crowns, has now been unbeaten for 10 years with his most recent defeat back in April 2004 against Lamon Brewster.

Klitschko, with his brother Vitaly - the former WBC champion and a politician in his home country - in his corner, knocked down his opponent after a few seconds in the first round, a big left-right combination sending the 34-year-old Leapai sprawling. The Ukrainian, whose record now stands at 62 wins with 52 knockouts and three defeats, then pummelled the hapless Australian in round five, knocking him down once again before a clean knockout with less than a minute left in the round. “Alex Leapai, I know it was not easy for you but you were up against the best fighter in the world and it was hard,” Klitschko said in a ringside interview. “Despite my 38 years I felt superb. I was in top form tonight in the ring.”