Monday, April 12, 2004
Boxing News
Wlad: I was suddenly weak!
April 12, 2004
By Lisa Scott
On Saturday night, Wladimir Klitschko looked to be well on his way to winning the vacant WBO heavyweight title as he easily manhandled underdog, Lamon Brewster (30-2; 27 KO's). However, something was amiss in the 28 year old Klitschko (42-3; 39 KO's). Upon returning to his corner after the first round, Klitschko appeared to be exhausted and as the bout wore on, his energy gauge quickly plummeted towards sub zero levels. Eventually, referee Robert Byrd waved the fight off at the conclusion of the fifth round when Klitschko was barely able to walk back to his corner.
Past performance wins against Jameel McCline (TKO10) and Chris Byrd (UD12), proved that stamina was never an issue for the 6'7" Ukranian fighter.
Immediately after the fight, Klitschko was taken to the hospital for observation and tests. His exhaustion was so acute that he was unable to speak.
Fightnews spoke to Klitschko yesterday afternoon to see how he was and to get his explanation regarding this odd turn of events. He stated: "I have absolutely no explanation why I became so weak during the fight. From the middle of the first round, I was totally exhausted. As the rounds went on I became weaker and weaker and I don't know why. I did not become weak because of the punches. I know this because in the third round, I received a punch - but I saw that punch and it did not effect me. I didn't become weak because of it. In the fourth round, I knocked Lamon down twice and I knew I had him hurt. I knew I was going to win the fight. But, I could not finish him because I was so weak. Eventually, we both fell to the canvas. But, I was so weak that I couldn't get up. In fact, the referee grabbed my arm to help me. If he did not do that, I would not have made it back to my corner. I have no idea why this happened.
"Also, my trainer Emanuel Steward has no idea either. He told me that in all his years, in hundreds of fights, that he has never seen any situation like that, where a fighter becomes totally weakened early in the first round. In the middle of the first round, my legs felt like rubber. I did not have the feeling as if I punched myself out. The feeling was much, much different. In training for this fight, my pace was a lot higher than in the fight. I was throwing much more combinations and didn't have any problem with weakness. I know fighters can punch themselves out and over pace themselves - but that doesn't happen in the first round! After the fight, I went to the hospital and when I came back to my hotel room, I slept for over 10 hours!
"At the hospital, the CAT scans were normal and everything else was fine. I will know the official results of my blood test tomorrow (Monday) or Tuesday. But, I have no explanation for my sudden weakness and I'm not looking for excuses. I lost the fight and I congratulate Lamon on his victory."
Early Sunday morning, rumors were actively circulated that Klitschko's preliminary blood work detected abnormal levels of blood sugar - and the presence of a viral infection. However, such is inconclusive until the final test results are released. It is standard practice for Doctors to administer second and third blood tests if the preliminary blood work discovers an irregularity. Generally, pre-fight medicals are intended to disclose any abnormalities.
Wlad: I was suddenly weak!
April 12, 2004
By Lisa Scott
On Saturday night, Wladimir Klitschko looked to be well on his way to winning the vacant WBO heavyweight title as he easily manhandled underdog, Lamon Brewster (30-2; 27 KO's). However, something was amiss in the 28 year old Klitschko (42-3; 39 KO's). Upon returning to his corner after the first round, Klitschko appeared to be exhausted and as the bout wore on, his energy gauge quickly plummeted towards sub zero levels. Eventually, referee Robert Byrd waved the fight off at the conclusion of the fifth round when Klitschko was barely able to walk back to his corner.
Past performance wins against Jameel McCline (TKO10) and Chris Byrd (UD12), proved that stamina was never an issue for the 6'7" Ukranian fighter.
Immediately after the fight, Klitschko was taken to the hospital for observation and tests. His exhaustion was so acute that he was unable to speak.
Fightnews spoke to Klitschko yesterday afternoon to see how he was and to get his explanation regarding this odd turn of events. He stated: "I have absolutely no explanation why I became so weak during the fight. From the middle of the first round, I was totally exhausted. As the rounds went on I became weaker and weaker and I don't know why. I did not become weak because of the punches. I know this because in the third round, I received a punch - but I saw that punch and it did not effect me. I didn't become weak because of it. In the fourth round, I knocked Lamon down twice and I knew I had him hurt. I knew I was going to win the fight. But, I could not finish him because I was so weak. Eventually, we both fell to the canvas. But, I was so weak that I couldn't get up. In fact, the referee grabbed my arm to help me. If he did not do that, I would not have made it back to my corner. I have no idea why this happened.
"Also, my trainer Emanuel Steward has no idea either. He told me that in all his years, in hundreds of fights, that he has never seen any situation like that, where a fighter becomes totally weakened early in the first round. In the middle of the first round, my legs felt like rubber. I did not have the feeling as if I punched myself out. The feeling was much, much different. In training for this fight, my pace was a lot higher than in the fight. I was throwing much more combinations and didn't have any problem with weakness. I know fighters can punch themselves out and over pace themselves - but that doesn't happen in the first round! After the fight, I went to the hospital and when I came back to my hotel room, I slept for over 10 hours!
"At the hospital, the CAT scans were normal and everything else was fine. I will know the official results of my blood test tomorrow (Monday) or Tuesday. But, I have no explanation for my sudden weakness and I'm not looking for excuses. I lost the fight and I congratulate Lamon on his victory."
Early Sunday morning, rumors were actively circulated that Klitschko's preliminary blood work detected abnormal levels of blood sugar - and the presence of a viral infection. However, such is inconclusive until the final test results are released. It is standard practice for Doctors to administer second and third blood tests if the preliminary blood work discovers an irregularity. Generally, pre-fight medicals are intended to disclose any abnormalities.
