Boxing: Wladimir Klitschko out-points Jennings to retain title

Ukrainian Wladimir Klitschko retained his heavyweight world titles on Saturday with a lopsided 12-round unanimous decision over previously unbeaten American Bryant Jennings

New York: Ukrainian Wladimir Klitschko retained his heavyweight world titles on Saturday with a lopsided 12-round unanimous decision over previously unbeaten American Bryant Jennings.


Wladimir Klitschko (right) lands a right hook on Bryant Jennings during their World Heavyweight Championship bout in New York's Madison Square Garden on Saturday. Pic/AFP 

In the bout at fabled Madison Square Garden, Klitschko did little to impress US fans who have failed to jump on his bandwagon despite his seemingly impenetrable reign.

Klitschko improved to 65-3 with 54 knockouts, earning his 22nd straight victory and making his 18th straight heavyweight world title defense.

Klitschko takes charge
Klitschko, who put his International Boxing Federation, World Boxing Association and World Boxing Organization belts on the line, used his left jab to take charge early.

He used the advantage of his 1.98m hight — to Jennings' 1.91m — to good advantage although the challenger gave the champion some trouble with his quick movement and darting advances in the middle rounds.

Klitschko responded in the final round with some heavy blows, and even with the champion docked a point by referee Michael Griffin for repeated holding, the scorecards weren't close.

Cheers were ringing and Ukrainian flags waving by the time the scores were announced. Two judges saw it 116-111 for Klitschko, while the third made it 118-109 for the champion. Jennings thus fell to 19-1 with 10 knockouts.

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