FightFranchise | Klitschko vs Johnson

Tomorrow we see a fight for the WBC Heavyweight crown in the bizarre venue of Berne, Switzerland. The champion Vitali Klitschko 38-2 (37) takes on unbeaten American challenger Kevin “Kingpin” Johnson 22-0-1 (9).

Klitschko is coming off a relatively simple slow demolition of Chris Arreola and is a big favourite to win. However there has reportedly been quite a bit of money bet on Johnson this week so obviously there are a few people out there who think a shock is in store.

Klitschko as per normal will have the physical advantages standing at 6ft 7 ½ inches and weighing approximately 250lbs in comparison to Johnson who stands at 6ft 3 inches and will weigh in around 240lbs. Johnson, though has the same reach as Klitschko and some people believe this will help him win the battle of the jab.

The jab is Johnsons main weapon. It is fast, accurate and rhythmic. Johnson believes this weapon will allow him to keep Vitali away and off balance. In fact Johnson has come out this week saying he expects to stop Klitschko and has also said that only Muhammad Ali and Larry Holmes would have been able to best him.

In reality though, Johnson is another in a long line of American heavyweights who has arrived at a world title shot without a test. He has undoubted potential but a 6th round stoppage of formerly unbeaten Devin Vargas (in Johnson’s last fight) is not really any help as to whether he could beat Vitali.

Vitali will be defending his title for the third time in 2009 which is very active by his standards. Being 38 years old there is a chance he could suddenly grow old overnight but the Klitschko brothers lead very clean lives and Vitali looked as sharp as ever last time out.

So who will win the big fight? Well Johnson does have a chance if he can get that jab off quickly and often. That said, I have never seen either Klitschko actually outboxed so i find this unlikely and unless Johnson’s fast punches can cut Vitali’s face to pieces a stoppage win for Johnson is highly unlikely, especially as Vitali could take Lennox Lewis’s best punches.

It is also unknown as to whether Johnson can fight at a quick enough pace to stay with Vitali. Many times we have seen smaller opponents gradually worn down by the size disadvantages by Vitali and this I feel will happen again.

I would like to see Johnson do well and i feel he may have success early on. However i feel Vitali isn’t ready to lose his crown yet and will assert himself in the middle rounds before winning by late stoppage or unanimous decision.

As for the venue being in Switzerland, I will quote my friend this week on facebook, "Heavyweight title fights should be huge events, not an after-thought in a country most famous for producing Toblerones." I could not put it any better myself.