Klitschko to defend title against Kevin Johnson
Published:Friday | December 11, 2009 | 12:55 PM
Vitali Klitschko will defend his WBC heavyweight title for the third time in 2009 tomorrow, against unbeaten Kevin Johnson of the United States.
The three-time champion from Ukraine took a four-year injury break before returning to reclaim his belt in October 2008, and believes he is in good shape at the end of a busy year.
Klitschko, with a record of 38 victories and 2 defeats with 37 knockouts, outclassed the previously unbeaten Cris Arreola in Los Angeles before the Mexican-American\'s corner wouldn\'t let him come out for the 11th round.
Durable and technically sound, the Georgia-based, New Jersey-born Johnson with 22 victories including 9 knockouts, no defeat and 1 draw earned his title shot by stopping Devin Vargas in May.
Johnson is ranked the Number 10 heavyweight contender by respected magazine Ring, with Klitschko the top-rated challenger to his younger brother Wladimir who holds the IBF and WBO belts.
The brothers have promised never to fight each other.