? Champion Vitali Klitschko wins unanimous points decision
? Shannon Briggs goes the distance but is well beaten
Vitali Klitschko defended his WBC heavyweight title with a comprehensive points victory over Shannon Briggs in Hamburg. The underdog showed superb resilience to last 12 rounds in the face of a thunderous barrage but the Ukrainian was awarded the fight 120-105 by all three judges.
Briggs had said before the fight that he was in the best shape of his career but there was little indication that he could spring a surprise. The 39-year-old American landed a couple of purposeful straight rights in the early going but he struggled to contain Klitschko's power and he was wobbled by a fearsome right in the first round.
Klitschko repeated the blow in round two and caught his opponent off balance after jabbing his way through much of the third. The champion dominated the fifth round, staggering his opponent with another big straight right and following up with a powerful combination.
The following round was even more brutal, Klitschko's left hook working well in combination with the right hand on three occasions. He continued the onslaught into round seven as he repeatedly rocked Briggs on to the ropes.
Briggs developed a cut and swelling under his left eye and his corner were overheard advising him to "stay out of the way of his right" before round nine. They were cautioned over their language during the round.
Amazingly, Briggs made it the full distance but was never going to be in the frame when the judges made their decision.
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