Wladimir Klitschko (61-3 53 KO) successfully defended his title for the eighteenth time with a unanimous decision win over undefeated challenger Bryant Jennings (19-1 10 KO).
The judges score cards were as follows, 116-111 X2, and a ridiculous 118-109.
Dr. Steelhammer was pushed harder in this fight than he has been in some time but a consistent jab allowed him to control the majority of most of the rounds.
As it was highly publicised that the Jennings Team would do, they made a point to make sure that Klitschko was watched and/or penalized for excessive holding.
Referee Michael Griffin was all over the champion from the opening bell with repeated warnings for holding. Some were warranted but some were not as the shorter Jennings would go in low causing the taller Klitschko to collapse over the top of him and hold him as a result. Griffin eventually deducted a point from the champ in the tenth.
Jennings had moments in the bout which he created by using his lateral moment and a disciplined attack to the body. “By-By” was able to keep the champ honest by landing a mixture of overhand and straight rights and lefts throughout the fight. Although Jennings lost, he actually won the respect of not only the champion but made a few new fans as well.
“As a champion, I have to say that I’m the bad man,” Klitschko said. “The baddest man on the planet.”
Tyson Fury may be next for Klitschko as he is the WBO mandatory.
Klitschko is closing in on history as he is now a win away from tying Larry Holmes’ record of 19 title defenses; however, he would still be several away from Joe Louis’ 25.
Standing-8 