April 19, 2004
Sanders: Only one [Klitschko] left now!
To borrow the words of the legendary Cassius Marcellus Clay, this heavyweight puncher “shook up the world” more than a year ago when he exposed Wladimir Klitschko. On March 8, 2003, a stunned crowd in Germany and viewers worldwide watched him drop Wladimir four times and stop the favored fighter in two rounds. Many other pugilists have met a similar fate when meeting this feared puncher. Eighteen (18) opponents haven’t lasted one round; another nine haven’t made it past the third round.
His name is Corrie Sanders and this lover of golf hopes to extend his good fortune in the squared ropes by kayoing another Klitschko. He faces older brother Vitali on April 24th at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. At stake is his chance for the World Boxing Council (WBC) heavyweight crown.
Sanders relishes this unique opportunity to etch his name into boxing lore by becoming the premier heavyweight champion of the world. “I have done the hard work and am looking forward to April 24th,” he told boxing writers today. “It is going to be special for me.”
Sanders has been out of the ring for more than a ring since his dramatic triumph. He says that boxing politics was the reason. He turned down a WBO title defense against Lamon Brewster, saying “the money simply wasn’t right.” It appears Sanders made a wise choice, as the waiting game led him to a bigger prize — the WBC crown.
Sanders suspects that Vitali will present a tougher assignment than his younger brother. “It looks like he is going to be a tougher challenge,” Sanders said of Vitali. “But I also thought that Wladimir would be tough.”
After his triumph over Wladimir, an enraged Vitali challenged Sanders, saying he would take him. Sanders believes that some of those comments can be attributed to “the heat of the moment.” However, Sanders also realizes that Vitali knows has the honor of the Klitschko family name riding on his shoulders. “For that reason, I think he is under a lot of pressure,” Corrie said.
Sanders dismisses the notion that Vitali will benefit greatly from the addition of former champ Lennox Lewis’ trainer, Emanuel Steward. “I spoke with Lennox about Steward going to the Klitschkos,” Corrie said. “Lennox was surprised with Manny’s move to the Klitschkos. But, I agree with Lennox – ‘who cares what Manny does.’ It obviously didn’t help Wladimir much [in the Lamon Brewster fight].”
The Sanders-Klitschko winner will be crowned as Lennox’s successor as the king of heavyweights. Sanders recognizes that Lewis’ footsteps will be very hard to fill. “It’s hard to say how the division will do,” Sanders said. “There are no super-great guys out there that can step in Lennox’s footsteps, but someone will come again eventually.”
While Sanders apparently has no illusions of being an all-time great, he eagerly awaits the chance to face Vitali and, therefore, grab some huge paydays. “The name of the game in this tough business is money,” he says. “I’d love to win this fight and have two or three title defenses and make a lot of money.”
When questioned about future opponents, Sanders said that obviously the number one fight money-wise remains Mike Tyson. He also said unifying the title would be nice, but his main focus was on landing a few huge money-making fights.
Sanders is a talented golfer, perhaps even good enough to play on the European or PGA Tours. He has been known to tee it up with three-time major championship winner and countryman Ernie Els, who nearly captured his first green jacket at The Masters in Augusta last weekend. “That was hard to see him lose,” Sanders said, referring to the come-from-behind win by Phil Mickelson.
“A lot of guys say I can do it (make the PGA Tour),” he said. “I will have to put my heart and mind in it but I think I could do it. I have a good chance I believe.”
But, make no mistake for now Sanders’ heart is in the Sweet Science, where he hopes his power will carry him to the crown.
“I don’t think this fight will go 12 rounds,” he said. “I think it will be a stoppage and I think I will be on the winning side.”
“One of the Klitschkos is gone,” Sanders said. “There is only one left now [after Wladimir’s latest loss to Lamon Brewster] and hopefully after the 24th there will be none.”
Quelle: http://fightnews.com/hudson146.htm
