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Klitschko claims IBF crown

23/04/2006

Ukraine's Vladimir Klitschko has won the IBF heavyweight title after he stopped American Chris Byrd in the seventh round in Germany.

Vladimir, the younger brother of former WBC champion Vitali Klitschko, was in dominant mood and bossed the fight from the very beginning.

He put the champion on the mat on twice, once in the fifth and then in the seventh, with the referee stopping the fight after the second occasion

The former WBO champion admitted afterwards that he was pleased to be back in the big time and that his aim was to become undisputed heavyweight champion.

"It is a very special day for me as to be back here after going through so many lows is great," Klitschko said.

"The negative moments really helped me and made me a stronger fighter and I want to conquer the other titles in the category, that's for sure."

Klitschko had been criticised in the past for his lack of stamina but he showed that 12 rounds weren't necessary as he laid into Byrd from the start.

The Ukrainian was particularly punishing with his right as he took control, with Byrd unable to respond.

It was a powerful right which first sent the American to the canvas in round five and it looked as if he wouldn't survive the round as Klitschko smelt blood.

However, he managed to survive until the seventh before a brutal flurry of punches from the 30-year-old Ukrainian finished the bout as Byrd was sent to the mat once more.

"I was never in the fight, he's a big guy, he's strong and I didn't hit him at all," Byrd said afterwards before being taken to hospital as a precaution.

Byrd was the longest-reigning heavyweight champion, having held the title since 2001.

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