Klychko loses bout in Berlin (04/09/00)

Klychko loses bout in Berlin

BERLIN - World Boxing Organization heavyweight champion Vitalii Klychko (or Klitschko, as his name appears in the news media) lost his title on April 1 in a bout in Berlin against American Chris Byrd.

Telecast by HBO, it was Klychko's third title defense; he entered the contest with a record of 27 knockouts in 27 fights.

Byrd, the 1992 Olympic silver medalist who had a record of 31-1, was a late substitute for Donovan Ruddock, who withdrew because of a stomach injury.

Klychko stopped fighting in the 10th round of the 12-round contest after a shoulder injury became so aggravated that he could not continue. According to the Associated Press, Klychko said: "It had pain since the third round. I hit with heavy pain."

The judges, one German and two Americans, had scored Klychko as the winner of six of the nine rounds fought. But, when he dropped out, they declared Byrd the winner.

Various news media reported that Klychko saw his loss as merely a temporary setback and vowed to return and regain his title once his injury has healed.

Entering the ring with his entourage, including a flag-bearer carrying the Ukrainian flag and another holding aloft his WBO world championship belt, Mr. Klychko was heavily favored to win the bout. Present at ringside was Klychko's older brother, Volodymyr, also a boxer.

Commentators for HBO referred to Klychko as (correctly) the only boxer with a Ph.D. and (incorrectly) as "the former Russian." As well, Harold Lederman, whose columns appear on the HBO website, referred repeatedly to Klychko as "the Russian," and to his team as "the Russians."

Better set these cable guys straight ... in time for Klychko's next fight.

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