Champion Klitschko knocks out Leapai in fifth round

Ukrainian heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko celebrates after winning his heavyweight world title boxing fight against Australian boxer Alex Leapai in the Konig-Pilsener-Arena in Oberhausen, Germany, on Saturday. (EPA)

AFP/Oberhausen Undisputed world heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko retained his titles on Saturday with a fifth-round knock-out of Australian challenger Alex Leapai. Ukraine’s Klitschko defended his WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO belts in Oberhausen and was in complete control of his 25th world title fight as he knocked-out Leapai after two minutes, five seconds of the fifth round. “It wasn’t easy, because my head was with my countrymen in Ukraine. What is going on in my home country is the concern of the whole world,” said Klitschko, who landed 147 punches compared to Leapai’s mere ten. “I hope that the politicians in my home country will find a peaceful solution, I am proud of my people.” Klitschko picked up the 53rd knock-out of his career in his 62nd victory in the 65th fight of his career and had Leapai down three times before the referee stepped in. “You gave everything, respect,” the champion said to Leapai. The 34-year-old Leapai had few answers and failed to live up to his pre-fight promises to knock Klitschko out. “I’m alright, I want to thank Wladimir for the opportunity, he showed why he’s the champion,” said the humbled Samoan-born challenger who suffered the fifth defeat of his career. Both fighters tipped the scales at 112kgs, but Klitschko had just over double the victories, compared to Leapai’s 24 knock-outs in 30 wins, and had a 15cm height advantage. A heavy right from Klitschko put Leapai on the canvas midway through the first round and the Ukrainian champion was landing his shots at will in the second. Living up to his nickname “The Lionheart”, Leapai soaked up the champions punches and kept looking—in vain—for a big hay-maker. But he took several direct hits in the face in the third with Klitschko using his height advantage to stay out of the Australian’s reach. A sharp left hook caught Leapai in the fourth, but a heavy right-hand from Klitschko midway through the fifth caught Leapai flush on the side of the head and effectively ended the fight. Leapai was back on his feet by the count of seven, but Klitschko moved in and quickly had the Australian back on the canvas again as the referee waved the end of the fight. Klitschko suffered the last of his three defeats on April 10, 2004 to Lamon Brewster in Las Vegas and with the 38-year-old peerless in the division, he has said he wants to box on for another ten years. US legend Joe Louis’ 12-year record for the longest reigning world heavyweight champion will fall if Klitschko is unbeaten for the next four years having won his first title in 2006. Klitschko dedicates knock-out to Ukraine’s struggles Klitschko has dedicated his fifth-round knock-out of challenger Alex Leapai to his countrymen embroiled in the ongoing political crisis in Ukraine. Klitschko, 38, defended his WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO belts in Oberhausen late Saturday and was in complete control of his 25th world title fight, putting Australia’s Leapai on the canvas three times. “It wasn’t easy, because my head was with my countrymen in Ukraine. What is going on in my home country is the concern of the whole world,” said Klitschko, who landed 147 punches compared to Leapai’s mere ten. “I hope that the politicians in my home country will find a peaceful solution, I am proud of my people. “This fight was important for my countrymen, so that it can distract them from the problems which we are still facing. “I hope we can get through this crisis just like I got through this fight. “Our dreams of living in a democratic country, where any European will feel welcome, will come true and most of all there will be peace.” Klitschko picked up the 53rd knock-out of his career in his 62nd victory in the 65th fight of his career and the referee finally stepped in after two minutes, five seconds of the fifth round. But the champion paid tribute to his out-classed challenger. “You never stopped, you were courageous and you were bold,” Klitschko told Leapai. “You had the desire to become a champion and not many of my opponents had that type of attitude. I think your fans back home can be very proud of you. Alex was looking for the right moment and the right shot and I swear if one of those shots had landed anywhere near my head I would not be sitting here tonight. “This is 112kgs of pure muscle and power and I am sure Alex will be able to beat a lot of boxers in the division.” ‘Wladimir did his homework’ -Both fighters tipped the scales at 112kgs, but Klitschko had just over double the victories, compared to Leapai’s 24 knock-outs in 30 wins, and with a 15cm height advantage, he made both his superior size and experience count. “I feel disappointed to be honest,” said Samoan-born Leapai. “Wladimir did his homework and made it really hard for me to land that right hand, he just kept moving. “It’s a learning experience and I just want to get back in the gym and keep going. This is not the end of the line. “There were a few things I could have done differently, but tonight is all about Wladimir. “I couldn’t get through his jab. He kept moving and that’s why he’s been undefeated for the last 10 years. “I was trying to egg him on, to come inside (my reach), but he was fighting smart, then one of his rights came in and landed on the side of my head. That was that. “Manuel Charr and Shannon Briggs, these are the guys I’ll be chasing now, I’m a puncher and I can take any of those guys.” It is now a decade since Klitschko last tasted defeat, when he lost to Lamon Brewster in Las Vegas in April 2004, and the champion says he has no desire to give up his titles.