WBC heavyweight champ Vitali Klitschko, unable to come to terms for a fight against Nikolai Valuev, will instead make his fourth title defense against Poland's Albert Sosnowski on May 29 in Germany. If you've never heard of Sosnowski, you're not alone. The good news: the 31-year-old is a legitimate heavyweight at 6-2 1/2, 230 pounds and has an impressive record of 45-2-1 with 27 KOs. The bad news: that record was compiled against weak competition. Very weak.
Sosnowski's best wins were a six-round majority decision over a 39-year-old Orlin Norris in 2005, an eighth-round TKO of Danny Williams in 2008, and a 12-round unanimous decision over Paolo Vidoz in 2009. The losses came against Arthur Cook (KO 9 in 2001) and Zuri Lawrence (L 8 in 2008), and the draw was against Francesco Pianeta (2009).
Bottom line: Sosnowski was available and significantly cheaper, at $1 million, than Valuev's $4 million asking price, so he gets the title shot. Just don't expect a competitive fight . . .
Comments
One does not like to be cruel, but Joe Louis, a truly great champion, had his “Bum of the Month” series, and both Klitschko brothers seem to be emulating Louis. However, Louis was a truly great fighter and fouhgt other tryly great fighters and not just “bums.” Such seems not to be the case with the Klitschko brothers. They have not fought very good fighters in a long time and when they did, they lost. And they continue to fight less than good–never mind great–fighters. They are slow, plodding, unexciting and colorless reflections of each other. They are also responsible for the very bad condition of the division. Another dull fight against a non-opponent is not even worth watching.
I could not of said it any better Donald. Very true! All they do is fight bums!!
I umdestand you guys. the Klitschko brothers fight a lot and fight with the best available opponents.
Who do you suggest they avoid? Who should they fight?