Klitschko-Pianeta Looks Set for May 4

Source: FightSaga



According to BoxRec, Heavyweight Champion Wladimir Klitschko (59-3, 50 KO's) will defend his many titles and coveted lineal status against unbeaten Francesco Pianeta (28-0-1, 15 KO's) on May 4th at the SAP-Arena in Mannheim, Germany.

Who?

Klitschko, who turns 37 in March, has a voluntary defense and is obviously exercising that option.

In other words, without having to face a mandatory opponent, Wladimir may pick and choose his next foe.

This is nothing new in boxing and everyone - even the all-time greats - have opted to take a breather by fighting low-risk opponents on occasion.

But since Klitschko vs Haye in July 2011, Wladimir has faced and defeated Jean Marc Mormeck, Tony Thompson and Mariusz Wach... Perhaps Wlad is getting many voluntary options these days?

Thompson was a mandatory opponent but Wach and Mormeck... not quite.

So who is Wlad fighting again?

Francesco Pianeta is a 28 year old Italian heavyweight who was raised in Germany. Ranked No. 14 in the division by BoxRec, Pianeta is a 6'5" southpaw who won 10 round decisions over notable opponents Oliver McCall and Francois Botha, two fighters light-years past their respective primes, last year.

But to his credit, Pianeta manufactured a draw in his bout with the capable Albert Sosnowski (then 44-2) in 2009 and KO'd Matt Skelton (then 22-3) the same year.

In his most recent bout in November, Pianeta stopped Nelson Dario Dominguez (then 14-1-1) in the first round.

The Italian turned pro in 2005, usually weighs between 239 and 246 lbs for his bouts and has won 4 of his last 5 fights via decision verdicts.

Not only will Wlad have a clear advantage technically, Pianeta isn't a major threat in terms of punching power as only 51% of his fights have ended in a knockout.

And while a 51% knockouts-to-fights ratio is certainly nothing to be ashamed of, it should be noted he scored knockouts in 7 of his first 8 bouts so Pianeta hasn't exactly been heavy-handed in recent years.

The Klitschkos are literal rock stars in Germany. Klitschko bouts aren't "fights" in Germany - they are "mega events" and the brothers are paid handsomely for staging them, even if their opponents are fellas like Mormeck, Wach and Pianeta.

Perhaps this will be Wladimir Klitschko's last showcase/rest fight before taking it up a notch or two against the likes of Kubrat Pulev (17-0, 9 KO), Alexander Povetkin (25-0, 17 KO) and/or Tyson Fury (20-0, 14 KO)?

Better than Oquendo but not as good as Solis. As long as the Povetkin fight gets done this summer and Wlad fights Pulev / Fury later in 2013, then this fight is fine to stay busy.