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Vitali Klitschko won a hard-fought battle today in Munich, Germany, successfully defending his WBC heavyweight title in a tense, big atmosphere fight against Dereck Chisora, who gave the 40-year-old Klitschko his toughest test in years. Klitschko won on scores of 118-110, 118-110, and 119-111. Bad Left Hook had it a tighter 116-112 for Klitschko, but he definitely deserved and earned this win.
Klitschko (44-2, 40 KO) started the fight well and was able to pick apart Chisora (15-3, 9 KO) over the first five rounds, but he couldn't get the determined, hard-charging Brit to back away, and in the middle rounds, the heat turned up. Chisora, 28, saw his pressure and body work pay off, as he pressed the veteran and started having more success offensively.
But just as Chisora built a bit of momentum, and brought the tally as close as 77-75 on my scorecard, Vitali turned it around again, and took over the rest of the fight, winning rounds nine through 11 before taking the 12th a bit easily, safely protecting his lead and not walking into any big shots from Chisora, who did fight the 12th round looking for the knockout, knowing he needed it.
There was unfortunately too much extracurricular nonsense before and after the fight, partially spoiling what was an entertaining main event. Well before the fight, there was controversy backstage, as Wladimir was sent by Team Klitschko to inspect Chisora's hand-wrapping process.
Prior to the fight in the ring, Chisora spit water in the face of Vitali's brother, Wladimir, who took it pretty well in stride. And then after the fight, Wladimir got into arguments with Chisora's team, and then with Chisora himself, after Chisora and Vitali had words. Eventually, Chisora's promoter Frank Warren boldly stepped in and took control of the situation as best he could, which was welcome.
We'll have more on what's next for both of these fighters. Vitali may only have one more fight left, as he's said he's strongly considering retirement this year, and Chisora's stock once again may have risen, even in defeat, and this time a legitimate defeat. He's not lovable, or even likeable, but Dereck Chisora is a welcome entrant into the heavyweight fold between the bells on fight night.
Undercard Results
Johnathon Banks won a wide decision over Nicolai Firtha in a pretty routine 12-round heavyweight fight.
Serhiy Fedchenko swept an eight-round decision against overmatched Laszlo Fazekas.
British featherweight Stephen Smith stopped Arpad Vass at 2:44 of the first round.