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The whole world witnessed the devastating one-sided 8th round win of Vitali Klitschko against Danny Williams for the WBC Heavyweight Championship Of The World. If there were doubters of Vitali Klitschko's credentials as a viable world class boxer they must be rapidly diminishing now.
Expected to be given a stern test by Britain’s Williams, who conquered “Iron” Mike Tyson in July, a supremely focused Klitschko dominated the challenger from the outset and almost finished Williams in the first. With Williams bruised, bleeding and battered, Vitali continued to administer the most painful big-fight beating in recent memory before referee Jay Nady finally called a halt to proceedings in round 8 after Williams had been sent to the canvas for a fourth time.
Doghouseboxing.com caught up with the victorious Klitschko after the fight, this is what he had to say ...
DoghouseBoxing: Vitali, First of all congratulations on your performance against Danny Williams. However did it concern you at all that it took 8 rounds to beat both Williams and Corrie Sanders?
Vitali Klitschko: No, I thought my performance against Danny Williams was very good. I tried my best to finish the fight in the first few rounds, but Williams was a very strong and brave fighter.
DHB: Were you surprised how dominant your were against Danny Williams from the outset of the very first bell of the fight?
Vitali: Yes, but I also thought Danny as I have already said was very brave and tough. I thought his plan would be to work on the inside of my jab, where his weight would be an advantage, I was determined not to let him do this, my fight plan worked out very well.
DHB: At what stage did you realise you had a problem with your hands, and do you think your injuries affected your performance?
Vitali: I damaged my hand in the 2nd round, it was very painful, my hand injury became gradually worse from the 2nd round until the referee stopped the fight.
I was late for the press conference because after the fight, the doctor advised me to go to the hospital for x-rays. I am very relieved because the doctor told me my left hand is badly swollen, but not broken. I have been told to rest it completely. I will be ready to fight again in 2 or 3 months.
DHB: When will you fight next and who will it be against?
Vitali: No opponents have yet been decided and an exact date and venue have also to be decided.
DHB: It is strongly rumoured you will have to fulfil a mandatory obligation against Hasim Rahman. He has been very vocal in his opinions in how he thinks he will beat you and how he will knock you out. Do you have anything to say to this?
Vitali: As I have said before nothing has been decided about future opponents for my next fight. Hasim Rahman is like every fighter who says they know how to beat me, so far not too many people have succeeded. All I say to Hasim Rahman and others is "we will see".
DHB: Who would you consider other than yourself of course, as the biggest rival in the heavyweight division. Or to put it another way which boxer do you think has the most potential?
Vitali: My brother Wladimir. He has yet to fulfil his potential. He will prove to be one of the very best fighters in the heavyweight division and in the world. It has always been mine and my brother’s dream to hold World Heavyweight Championship belts simultaneously.
DHB: You say your fight plan worked out very well. However, do you feel as if you have learnt something from your fights with Sanders and Williams?
Vitali: Yes. In every fight I will always learn new things. In every fight you have to gain experience. Experience is important in the heavyweight division because after Lennox Lewis and Evander Holyfield we are now moving into a new generation, I am part of the new generation, I want to be the best and to be that you have to have experience.
DHB: There has been a lot of publicity about your concerns to do with matters in your country Ukraine. Can you comment on this?
Vitali: I have been very worried. It is important my country moves forward as a democratic country. I am very happy there are new elections are taking place again.
DHB: When will you visit your country again and would you like to defend your title in your home country?
Vitali: Me and my brother Wladimir will be visiting Germany in the next couple of days and then we will both go to the Ukraine. Yes I would like to defend my title in the Ukraine, anything is possible.
DHB: Vitali, is there anything else you would like to say to doghouseboxing.com?
Vitali: Have a happy Christmas.
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© Copyright / All Rights reserved: Doghouse Boxing 1998-2004
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By Spud Woollatt & Rhino O'Neill (December 14, 2004) 
