Former WBO Heavyweight Titleholder Celebrates Birth Of Second Child With Dominant Victory

RESEDA, Calif. (Nov. 23, 2002) - Vitali "Dr. Iron Fist" Klitschko convincingly cleared the final hurdle to a 2003 showdown with World Boxing Council/International Federation (WBC/IBF) Heavyweight Champion Lennox Lewis by retaining his WBA International heavyweight title with a 10th-round knockout over Larry Donald Saturday night at Dortmund, Germany.

Making his first start in 9½ months, the former World Boxing Organization (WBO) heavyweight champion dominated Donald and won every round before approximately 11,000 fans at Westfallen Hall. Klitschko (32-1, 31 KOs) dropped Donald (39-3-3, 23 KOs) three times with straight right hands in the 10th round before the referee stepped in and rescued the American. It was the first time that Donald had been stopped in his 9½-year career. His other losses came on points against Riddick Bowe and Kirk Johnson.

At the post-fight press conference, Klitschko's promoter, Klaus-Peter Kohl, announced that he had met with representatives with Lewis six weeks earlier and that a contract had been signed for Vitali to challenge Lewis early next year, possibly in March.

"All that needs to be worked out are the final details," Kohl said. "We will begin talks again immediately with HBO and Lewis' people. Obviously, we want this fight to happen very badly.''

"I am really interested in fighting Lennox Lewis and feel that I am ready," said Klitschko, who is ranked No. 1 in the WBC, No. 2 in the WBO, No. 3 in the World Boxing Association (WBA) and No. 6 in the IBF. "Donald was a strong opponent, very quick and tough to catch so I knew I had to be patient and take my time. I knew, though, that the moment I caught him, that I had him. Once I hurt him, I started to work the body more. I saw from watching tapes of his fight with Bowe that he could be hurt with body shots. Overall, this was one of my best performances and I am very pleased.''

Three hours before the most important fight of his career, Klitschko was informed that his wife, Natalie, had given birth to the couple's second child.

"We named her Elizabeth and she was born in Los Angeles," the proud papa said. "My wife was not due until tomorrow at the earliest. When she called me before my fight, she said, 'OK, we just had a baby. It is now my wish that you go out and win this fight for our family.'

"I did not think I needed any more incentive than I already had, but just hearing the news from Natalie, and hearing her voice gave me so much extra motivation. My plan now is to take the first direct flight out of Germany tomorrow (Sunday) to be with them.'' The couple also has a two-year-old son, Daniel, who also was born in Los Angeles.

Utilizing his significant advantages in height (five inches) and reach, the 6-foot-8, 31-year-old Klitschko established his jab early while dictating the pace throughout. Klitschko, who became the first heavyweight champion with a Ph.D. when he captured the WBO belt with a second-round knockout over Herbie Hide on June 27, 1999, has won five straight (four by knockout) since losing to Chris Byrd. Klitschko was beating Byrd handily by the scores of 89-82 and 88-83 twice and needed only to survive three more rounds to win a decision and retain his WBO title a third time, but he could not come out for the 10th round after tearing the rotator cuff in his left shoulder earlier in the match on April 1, 2000.

Don King, who promotes Donald, was in attendance Saturday and came away impressed.

"I am totally convinced that both Vitali and Wladimir have bright futures in the United States," he said. "The are both intelligent, well-spoken and are the kinds of role models boxing needs.''

Wladimir, who worked his corner Saturday, leaves tomorrow (Sunday) on a later flight to the U.S. The younger Klitschko (39-1, 36 KOs) will fly directly to Las Vegas. He will make the fifth defense of his WBO heavyweight title when he faces mandatory, top-ranked WBO contender Jameel McCline (28-2-3, 16 KOs) on Dec. 7 at Mandalay Bay on HBO.

"I am looking forward to fighting again in America," said Klitschko, who impressively retained his title when he became the first to stop Ray Mercer (TKO 6) last June 29 in Atlantic City. "Vitali was very good tonight. He did his job. Now, it is my turn.''

It will be Wladimir's sixth start in the U.S. and second in Las Vegas. In his first, "Steelhammer" retained his WBO title with a sixth-round TKO over Charles Shufford on Aug. 4, 2001.

For more information on the Klitschko Brothers, please go the official Klitschko website WWW.KLITSCHKO.COM