Unbeaten American Kevin Johnson will take a crack at WBC heavyweight titlist Vitali Klitschko. The two meet in Bern, Switzerland on December 12. (Photo via www.boxnews.com.ua)

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It's official: WBC heavyweight titlist Vitali Klitschko will make a pretty quick return to the ring following his September 26 demolition of Chris Arreola. Klitschko faces another unbeaten American contender, as he'll take on Kevin "Kingpin" Johnson on December 12 in Bern, Switzerland.

"I feel top fit, had super preparations in Los Angeles and really enjoyed the fight against Arreola," said Klitschko, whose win cemented his place alongside younger brother Wladimir at the top of the heavyweight ranks.

"I can barely wait to climb into the ring again," the Ukrainian fighter added. "Kevin Johnson is very dangerous. He has already had 23 professional fights, is undefeated and has significantly better technique than my last opponent."

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"I will not underestimate Johnson and as always will prepare myself meticulously for my opponent," Klitschko said.

Klitschko (38-2, 37 KO) barely broke a sweat in routing and eventually stopping Arreola on September 26, and the talk of a December return started almost immediately. Johnson (22-0-1, 9 KO) will be taking a great leap up in competition, as Arreola did. You can't blame him though; it's by far the most money he's going to get to fight, and if he loses, everyone just kind of goes, "Oh well, he lost to one of the Klitschkos. Everyone does." We've elevated the Klitschkos so far above their peers -- and rightfully so -- that a loss to one of them isn't really that big of a deal, and it's no great blow to any fighter's career. Arreola risked his unbeaten record for a shot at the big upset and plenty of cash, and Johnson will do the same.

Johnson is an intriguing enough opponent, though. Like Vitali says, he's far more technically proficient than Arreola, and Johnson will probably try to jab with the jabber. Klitschko is about 6'8", and was way taller than the supposedly 6'4" Arreola. Johnson is listed at 6'3", but has a big 82" reach, two inches longer than Klitschko's and five inches longer than Arreola's. Arreola could never get inside and was unable to do anything from a distance. Johnson may not have any more luck really getting inside than Arreola did, but he has the length to work from distance and maybe open things up that way. Sort of roundabout to the conventional thoughts on beating one of the Klitschko brothers (get inside and work, work, work) but nobody trying to bull their way in has been successful in years now.

Of course, nobody trying to do anything has been successful in years.

No American TV has been named, but this feels like one that someone will pick up, if not HBO or Showtime. ESPN has televised recent Klitschko brothers fights (Wladimir v. Ruslan Chagaev, Vitali v. Juan Carlos Gomez) on ESPN Classic, a channel that never has anything on that can't be bumped for boxing, and Vitali's fight with Arreola did HBO's best ratings of 2009. And if ESPN didn't pick it up, they could always hook up with Integrated Sports and put on a $25 pay-per-view.