Ukrainian Vitali Klitschko tries to cement his stature as the heir apparent to Lennox Lewis when he faces Corrie Sanders on Saturday for the vacant World Boxing Council heavyweight championship.
Klitschko (33-2, 32KOs) will also being trying to avenge his younger brother’s [Wladimir] devastating knockout defeat to Sanders (39-2, 29KOs) who enters Saturday’s fight as the decisive underdog.
But both fighters downplayed the revenge factor at Wednesday’s weigh-in at an outdoor mall in downtown Los Angeles.
”I have the goal to be the world champion and emotions don’t help me,” Vitali said. ”The most important thing for me is to be the world champion. Against whom is not important.”
Said Sanders, ”I know Vitali is a good fighter. I don’t know if he has a grudge. If he does then it is his problem.”
At the weigh-in, the two fighters posed for pictures and glared for the television cameras. Sanders then gave Klitschko a final good-natured wink just before they separated.
The outdoor event was watched by about 75 people, who also saw the boxers choose gloves for the 12-round title fight.
The left-handed South African Sanders derailed the Klitschko brothers’ goal of becoming heavyweight champions at the same time when he knocked out Wladimir just over a year ago in Hannover, Germany.
Sanders enjoys comparisons to Sylvester Stallone’s underdog boxing hero Rocky. ”That’s how I feel right now,” Sanders said.
Since Lewis’ retirement two months ago the heavyweight division has slipped into mediocrity.
Lewis was considered by far the best of the heavyweight title holders until he retired two months ago leaving the WBC title vacant.
Vitali (32) almost beat Lewis 10 months ago in Los Angeles in a bloody brawl that was stopped on cuts.
Vitali, who needed 60 stitches and plastic surgery to repair his face, was ahead on the judge’s scorecards before it was stopped.
A win by Klitschko could restore some credibility to the heavyweight ranks which is so desperate for a saviour that there are positive rumblings about Mike Tyson getting back into the picture.
Klitschko is a 3 1/2 to one favourite over Sanders and at 6ft 8in has a 10 centimetre height advantage.
Klitschko refused to be drawn into comparisons between himself and his brother. Wladimir was considered to be more co-ordinated but Vitali is bigger, stronger and can take a better punch.
”I have a totally different style than my brother,” Vitali said.
Vitali has spent the past seven weeks training for the fight in Los Angeles, where he now lives with his wife and their two young children. Wladimir is single.
The son of a colonel in the Soviet air force, Vitali has watched hours of tapes of the 38-year-old southpaw Sanders.
”I will try to fight just like I did last year against Lennox Lewis,” Vitali said. ”I don’t want to underestimate him. This was the mistake of my brother.”
Sanders said he never watches tapes of his opponents.
”My trainer watches the tapes. I believe you get in the ring and do your thing.
”To me, they look like the same fighter. I still think Wladimir has more skill, but Vitali is stronger. That is the difference I see.”
The main event will headline an uninspiring five-bout undercard that includes unbeaten super-flyweight contender Jose Navarro of the US.
Navarro (19-0, 7KOs) will face Mexican Martin Armenta, who has 10 wins and five losses. – Sapa-AFP