22.04.04 – Phenyo Molefe – On 24th April 2004 Los Angeles will host what could be the most exciting heavy heavyweight match up in months for the now vacant WBC title: Vitali Klitschko vs. Corrie Saunders. All of us, fans and critics alike eagerly await ‘judgement day’; Will Vitali prove his worth or will Saunders exonerate any dreams of heavyweight glory once held by Vitali.
It’s imperative for Vitali to win this fight to restore some pride to the family name and build his reputation. Many have already written off Wladmir as a top-heavy weight prospect, the question is if Vitali will soon follow the same course of action-something I very well doubt. Although in the past one may have been predisposed to believe Wladmir was the better prospect that has promptly changed. Latterly Vitali has proved to be of higher calibre. Vitali walks into this fight with an impressive 33 Wins, 2 Losses, 32 Knockouts-although still in the grooming stages (of becoming a decent heavyweight champion) he has proved to be a great prospect.
Any fighter who does not have much to loose is a very dangerous fighter. Saunders has been very frank about his numbered days as a fighter. He stated that if loses it will be his last fight but should he go on to win he will fight Wladmir in rematch and then retire. Despite Saunders walking into the fight as an underdog –I have no doubt that he is mentally ‘ready’ to win and will come out all guns blazing. Corrie put up a great performance against Wladmir and one cannot discredit him for that. He was the hungrier of the two fighters and he stunned a somewhat complacent Wladmir.
One should not be not be quick to write either fighter off as this is the heavy weight division anything can happen. Based on the two fighter’s fighting style and conduct in the ring one can assume that this fight will end within the distance my prediction is around the 5th round (if not sooner) in favour of Klitschko. Despite being the better-rated fighter Klitschko will go out all out with the aid of a strategy and the luxury of having Emmanuel Stewart in his corner.