Thursday, June 14, 2001 | 10:57 a.m.
For comparison's sake, consider that the same David Bostice who went 10 rounds with Frans Botha last week in Las Vegas lasted less than two rounds when he was matched with Wladimir Klitschko last year in New York.
And that neither Botha, nor Lance "Mount" Whitaker nor upcoming Hasim Rahman opponent David Izon wanted to take on Klitschko when promoter Bob Arum put out feelers for an Aug. 4 fight at Mandalay Bay.
The inference, real or imagined, is that Klitschko is one tough Ukrainian.
"I can't say I'm 100 percent sure about it, but, from what I've seen, this guy is the best fighter in the heavyweight division," said Arum, who will be working with Klitschko for the first time when the latter takes on Charles Shufford as part of a card that also includes the Bones Adams vs. Paulie Ayala fight at 122 pounds.
"We scoured the country to find someone to fight him, but they either thought he was too tough or they wanted ridiculous money," Arum said. "I also know Mike Tyson doesn't want anything to do with him."
Klitschko, the World Boxing Organization champion, is 36-1 with 33 knockouts and will be fighting in America for the third time when he takes on Shufford, a Las Vegan with a record of 16-1 and eight KOs.
To better acclimate himself for the fight at Mandalay Bay, Klitschko will arrive in Las Vegas the first week of July.
"It's simple to understand," he said. "Las Vegas and Hamburg, Germany, where I live, are two different climates and I have to be a professional about it. Las Vegas will be good for training and good for my concentration.
"Besides, I have fun in Las Vegas. It's a crazy city and I like it."
Klitschko is polite, sociable, well-educated and carries a big punch. He not only knocked out the durable Bostice in two rounds, he has turned back the challenges of a number of American fighters, including Monte Barrett and Chris Byrd.
Up next is an opponent of similar skills, Shufford.
"This is not an easy fight for Wladimir," said his German promoter, Peter Kohl. "Shufford is a big guy and he's from Las Vegas."
But Klitschko is a minus 1000 betting favorite in the Mandalay Bay sports book, with Shufford a plus 700.
The idea from Arum's perspective is to show off Klitschko on the August card and have him fight again in November or December on HBO.
"HBO is willing to make a major investment in him," Arum said. "They want to see how he does against Shufford, because Charles is remarkably good and a very durable guy."
Arum may also bring Wladimir's brother, Vitali, over to fight on the August undercard. The latter is also 36-1.
"Now is the time for everyone to see what I can do," Wladimir Klitschko said of his increasing exposure in America. "This year and next I want to make an impact and I'm going to give my best and be professional about it.
"Having a fight in Las Vegas is a big deal for me."
Fighting almost exclusively in Germany, Klitschko has torn through one familiar name after another, even if most of his opponents have been of the Big Foot Martin, Tony LaRosa and Paea Wolfgramm variety. But one such opponent, Ross Puritty, handed Klitschko a defeat in 1998 that still mystifies fans and critics alike.
"I've made my mistakes," Klitschko said, indirectly addressing the setback. "They were due to inexperience and I'm trying not to let them happen again."
Klitschko tired badly and fell to pieces in the latter stages of the fight with Puritty, going down in the 10th round and getting stopped in the 11th.
He has since won 12 consecutive fights, including one at the Orleans in Las Vegas with Phil Jackson, and he most recently stopped Derrick Jefferson in two rounds last March in Munich.
"Charles Shufford said 'yes' to fighting me and he has a chance," Klitschko said while at Mandalay Bay last Thursday. "I'll give it my best and see if he has any weak points.
"Hopefully, people will like what they see. Boxing is a serious game and the end can come very quick, so I want to look good and be ready for any challenges that come my way."
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