Vitali Klitschko-Kevin Johnson likely for Dec. 12

BoxingScene.com reports that sources close to the situation have told them that WBC heavyweight titlist Vitali Klitschko looks likely to face American prospect/contender Kevin Johnson on December 12, with Switzerland the leading candidate for the site of the bout.

Klitschko (38-2, 37 KO) easily defeated Chris Arreola on September 26, and immediately turned his attention to a December return. It also seems likely that 2010 will be the final year in boxing for the 38-year old titleholder.

Johnson (22-0-1, 9 KO) recently pulled out of an October 10 fight with Odlanier Solis on a Top Rank pay-per-view, and has fought just once this year, a May win over Devin Vargas. He has faced no one even near Klitschko's level.

In all honesty, I can't say I think Johnson has any real shot against Klitschko whatsoever. He has a big reach (82"), but not the style, the power, the height, the speed, the defensive skill. I'm not saying he's not a talented fighter; he is. But it feels like this is a cash-in, given that this fight would give him a lot more money than anything else that he's going to be able to land right now.

And it's not the worst idea, either. Say he loses to Klitschko, and even say he's blown out like most. It's not a big deal, because the Klitschkos have obviously established themselves as the cream of the modern heavyweight crop, and really nobody's going to expect Johnson to win, anyway. So what's he lose? There remains the slight chance he pulls the massive upset, and if he doesn't, he was such an underdog that he doesn't really lose any face unless he's knocked out in the first round, and that's not likely, either.