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Vitali Klitschko cleared to fight again
Photo: Witters Sport
Vitali Klitschko is examined Monday in Hamburg, Germany, by Prof. Dr. Volker
Steinkraus, who afterward said the cuts around the boxer's left eye were
completely healed and that he could fight again immediately. Klitschko is
hopeful of securing an immediate rematch with world heavyweight champion
Lennox Lewis.
With Cuts Around Eye Healed, World-Ranked Contender Is Hopeful
World Heavyweight Champ Lennox Lewis Will Give Him Immediate Rematch
22.07 - Vitali "Dr. Iron Fist'' Klitschko, who turned 32 Saturday, got a belated birthday gift Monday when an independent doctor gave him the clearance to fight immediately.
Reputed dermatologist Prof. Dr. Volker Steinkraus, who examined Klitschko in Hamburg, Germany, said that the cuts around and under the boxer's left eye "have healed very well and quickly" and that "from a medical point of view, the findings of today's thorough skin examination do not speak against boxing activities in training or competition beginning now.
"There is no scarring in the left per orbital region and in the left-cheek-bone area. He can begin training now and can fight again as soon as he wants.''
While delighted with the findings, the former World Boxing Organization (WBO) heavyweight champion was not surprised at the doctor's diagnosis.
"I am very happy but not surprised at all,'' Klitschko said. "I had already gotten the green light to fight from two other independent specialists - one in Los Angeles and one in Hamburg. I think Lennox Lewis is a true English gentleman and will accept this statement from the doctor.
"But if Lewis still has doubts, I am willing to visit another independent specialist in England or the United States.
"No matter who examines me, I am sure the result will be absolutely the same, so now everything depends on Lennox. I am ready for the rematch that boxing fans all over the world want to see, and I hope Lennox is, too. Lennox said in his conference call recently that he wanted to fight a rematch, so I hope he is ready to proceed in making it happen as soon as possible.''
On June 21 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, Lewis retained his World Boxing Council/International Boxing Organization (WBC/IBO) titles with a disputed sixth-round TKO over Klitschko in a bout stopped due to cuts. At the time of the controversial stoppage, Klitschko was leading, 58-56, on the three judges' scorecards.
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