Official Press Release Universum
Box-Promotion
New heavyweight champion of Europe:
Vitali Klitschko knocks out Mario Schiesser in two rounds
HAMBURG, 24 October 1998. It took European managers, promotors and officials of the
European Boxing Union endless months to clear the situation of the vacant heavyweight
title in Europe.
Unbeaten Ukrainian powerpuncher Vitali Klitschko, though, needed just five minutes to
cause a clear and doubtfree end to his fight against German Mario Schiesser, when he
stopped his brave opponent already two minutes into the second round.
Enjoying a seven inch reach advantage the gigantic Klitschko (6 feet 8 / 2,02 m) floored
Schiesser, a former two-time German champion, with a combination of right hook and left
uppercut one and a half minutes into round two. Schiesser (100,8 kg / 222 lbs), who in his
first European title fight in 1994 took Henry Akinwande into the seventh round, was able
to beat the count, but only seconds later he was floored again by another brutal left hook
from Klitschko (108.2 kg / 239 lbs).
On unsteady legs the German beat the count again, but referee Erkki Meronen from Finland
wisely called a halt to the bout at 2:00 into the second round.
"I was sorry that the fight was so short", said the 27 year old Klitschko, who
claimed the European title vacated by Croatia's Zeljko Mavrovic. "But at least the
spectators saw a beautiful finish."
Vitali Klitschko scored his 23rd straight victory, knocking out all of his 23 opponents.
Schiesser dropped to 36-4-1 (24).
As in all of his fights, Vitali Klitschko had his younger brother Wladimir in his corner -
with 23 wins in 23 fights an unbeaten and promising heavyweight himself.
Both brothers will fight on an event in their hometown of Kiev in the Ukraine on December
5. Vitali will defend his European heavyweight belt, whereas Wladimir will make a defense
of his WBC International title.
Until May of next year Vitali Klitschko, the number one contender of the World Boxing
Organization, will get a world title shot at champion Herbie Hide from England.
"I have some unfinished business with Hide", Vitali Klitschko warned. "He
has beaten my stable mate Willi Fischer. Next year I will take revenge for him!"
Fabian Weber
International Press Spokesman
Universum Box-Promotion GmbH