KLITSCHKO STOPS GOMEZ

(From March 21 itn.co.uk)
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Klitschko makes light work of Gomez

Vitali Klitschko successfully retained his WBC world heavyweight title with a ninth-round stoppage of Juan Carlos Gomez in Stuttgart.

The 37-year-old knocked down Gomez, a former WBC cruiserweight champion, three times, the last of which prompted referee Daniel van de Wiele to stop the fight.

"After the sixth I became bit impatient but I knew he did not have much fuel after that" - Vitali KlitschkoIt was Klitschko's first defence of the belt he won in October against Samuel Peter. That bout marked his return to the sport after four years in retirement.

Klitschko said: "I knew Gomez very well and knew this was not going to be easy.

"After the sixth I became bit impatient but I knew he did not have much fuel after that."

The Ukrainian, 10cm taller than his opponent, who is 35, began cautiously in the first few rounds but gradually went on the attack to the delight of some 12,500 spectators in Stuttgart's sold-out Schleyer Hall.

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