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Sanders predicts early KO
22/04/2004 21:29 - (SA)
Michael Green
Port Elizabeth - South Africa's heavyweight boxing hope, Corrie Sanders, believes his bout with Vitali Klitschko of the Ukraine on Sunday morning (SA time) for the vacant World Boxing Council title will not go the full 12 rounds.
"The fight will either be stopped by the referee or there will be a knock-out," said Sanders at a media conference in Los Angeles.
Sanders was confident that he would emerge as the winner, while Klitschko acknowledged that he had been under pressure for some months now. It appears as if his brother Wladimir's recent KO defeat has had an effect on Vitali.
Sanders sent Wladimir to the canvas for the full count inside two rounds last year, after which Lamon Brewster made short work of the same fighter inside five rounds a few weeks ago.
With Wladimir in his corner for the weekend's fight, there are those who believe Vitali will be under even more psychological pressure.
In the meantime, former WBC Lennox Lewis has tipped Sanders to win, saying the cuts sustained by Klitschko in his encounter with Lewis last year could have an effect on the Ukrainian.
That fight was stopped in the sixth round because Klitschko was bleeding profusely from several cuts above his eyes.
"Boxing is about survival of the fittest. You must be able to take it on the chin, handle the cuts you sustain and absorb the outside pressures."
Lewis also said he was enjoying his retirement. "I've been there and done it. At this stage I can honestly say that I won't box again."
The Sanders-Klitschko fight is to be televised live on a big screen at Sun City at about 05:00 on Sunday.
- Die Burger Oos
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