Boxing: Klitschko to defend heavyweight title

Klitschko praises Pienta, says he has ' big fighting spirit.'

BERLIN: Ukraine’s Vladimir Klitschko will defend his four world heavyweight title belts against former sparring partner German-Italian challenger Francesco Pianeta in Mannheim on May 4, said his management yesterday. Klitschko, who holds the IBF, IBO, WBO and WBA crown had used the Pianeta as a sparring partner last year.

The 36-year-old Ukrainian’s record stands as 59 wins and three defeats after his three successful title defences in 2012, including a November victory over Poland’s Mariusz Wach.

Pianeta, who at 1.93 metres is five centimetres shorter than his opponent, is still undefeated with 28 wins and one draw. “I have a lot of respect for Pianeta because he is young and has a big fighting spirit,” said Klitschko

Published in The Express Tribune, March 5^th, 2013.