World heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko defended his WBA, WBO, IBF and IBO belts on Saturday as he out-classed challenger Francesco Pianeta with a sixth-round knock-out to register the 60th win of his career.
Although German-Italian Pianeta, who survived testicular cancer three years ago, came into the fight undefeated in his 29 previous fights, he was outclassed by the 37-year-old champion in Mannheim, south-west Germany.
“I want to thank my opponent, there are a lot of challengers who talk a lot, but he got in the ring and fought bravely,” said Klitschko.
Ukrainian Heavyweight Champion Wladimir Klitschko reacts after winning against challenger Italian-born Francesco Pianeta by knockout in round 6
His comments were a thinly-veiled dig at David Haye who has constantly tried to lure Klitschko back in the ring, despite the British fighter’s points defeat to the Ukrainian in Hamburg in July 2011.
After Pianeta fought on, despite first hitting the canvas in the fourth round, the champion paid further tribute to the challenger’s courage.
“After the battle he has had against cancer he deserves respect,” said Klitschko.
“He tried everything to hit me, if he had landed one his big punches, I wouldn’t have got up.”
Pianeta made an ambitious start with one huge right-hand coming over the top of Klitschko’s guard but failing to connect, while the champion responded with two heavy jabs which found their target.
Klitschko relied on his jab in the opening three rounds as the challenger landed several heavy shots, but a big right from the Ukrainian put Pianenta on the floor in the fourth round.
From then on, the challenger was struggling to stay in the fight and although he showed plenty of heart by fighting on, he was down again in the fifth, but managed to survive the referee’s count.
Although German-Italian Pianeta, who survived testicular cancer three years ago, came into the fight undefeated in his 29 previous fights, he was outclassed by the 37-year-old champion in Mannheim, south-west Germany.
“I want to thank my opponent, there are a lot of challengers who talk a lot, but he got in the ring and fought bravely,” said Klitschko.
Ukrainian Heavyweight Champion Wladimir Klitschko reacts after winning against challenger Italian-born Francesco Pianeta by knockout in round 6
His comments were a thinly-veiled dig at David Haye who has constantly tried to lure Klitschko back in the ring, despite the British fighter’s points defeat to the Ukrainian in Hamburg in July 2011.
After Pianeta fought on, despite first hitting the canvas in the fourth round, the champion paid further tribute to the challenger’s courage.
“After the battle he has had against cancer he deserves respect,” said Klitschko.
“He tried everything to hit me, if he had landed one his big punches, I wouldn’t have got up.”
Pianeta made an ambitious start with one huge right-hand coming over the top of Klitschko’s guard but failing to connect, while the champion responded with two heavy jabs which found their target.
Klitschko relied on his jab in the opening three rounds as the challenger landed several heavy shots, but a big right from the Ukrainian put Pianenta on the floor in the fourth round.
From then on, the challenger was struggling to stay in the fight and although he showed plenty of heart by fighting on, he was down again in the fifth, but managed to survive the referee’s count.
