Fighting for a cause

Thursday, Dec. 9, 2004 | 9:17 a.m.

For heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko, the preparations for Saturday's title fight have been overshadowed by political upheaval half a world away.

Klitschko, a Ukrainian who holds a doctorate from the University of Kiev, has kept a close eye on the crisis in his homeland that was sparked by an election many considered rigged.

Like his brother, heavyweight contender Wladimir Klitschko, Vitali Klitschko supports the pro-Western presidential candidate, Viktor Yushchenko, and his native country's move toward democracy.

"What's happening in Ukraine has touched me very deeply," Klitschko said after a news conference Wednesday. "It makes me realize that sometimes in life you have to decide what is most important -- just to fight, or the future of your life, your family, your children."

Klitschko (34-2, 33 knockouts) defends his WBC heavyweight belt Saturday night at the Mandalay Bay Events Center against England's Danny Williams (32-3, 27 KOs), who knocked out Mike Tyson in July. The scheduled 12-rounder and three undercard bouts will be available on HBO pay per view ($49.95 suggested retail price).

Klitschko, who lives in Los Angeles, said he has been waking up at 6 a.m. during training camp to gather the latest news on the political crisis by watching television and speaking with friends and relatives in Ukraine.

On Wednesday the parliament in Ukraine voted for a series of laws that Yushchenko called an "historic compromise." Yushchenko and his opponent, Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovich, who is backed by Moscow leaders, will face off in a rematch of sorts in a new election Dec. 26.

"It's fine to find a compromise, but the most important part is that there is no manipulation in the next presidential election," Klitschko said Wednesday. "Let's make sure Ukraine continues to move toward becoming a democratic republic."

When the political unrest began last month, Klitschko briefly considered postponing the championship fight to travel to Kiev and join the hundreds of thousands of people who were peacefully protesting in the streets. Wladimir did spend four days in Kiev, giving interviews on television and radio and supporting the protesters.

Vitali Klitschko, convinced he could use the championship fight as a platform for his cause, opted to remain in America.

He said he's in top form to take on Williams despite the distractions.

"I always prepare 100 percent," Klitschko, 33, said. "I don't want to underestimate (Williams). I don't want to make the same mistake Mike Tyson did. I have prepared very well and I'm ready to give my best."

Bernd Boente, Klitschko's personal manager, was critical Wednesday of anyone who would suggest otherwise.

"Jimmy McDonnell (Williams' trainer) and Danny Williams said because of his political commitment, Vitali is underestimating his opponent," Boente said. "That is 100 percent not true. He has never underestimated an opponent.

"It's really great we have a heavyweight champion with a political commitment and a social commitment, because the heavyweight division will always be the flagship of boxing. ... Here we have a shining example of what the heavyweight champion should be."

Klitschko, who supports the consolidation of Ukraine into the European Union, said he was distressed by news accounts he thought portrayed his homeland as a "banana republic."

"As you know, (the protesting) has been very peaceful there," he said. "Nobody drinks alcohol. ... After every one of my fights, in Ukraine they hear me speak about freedom, liberty and free press, but now it is hopefully happening. ...

"It is very important for all those involved in this campaign, and it is our hope, that our country will adopt the democratic way."

Williams, a 9-1 underdog against Tyson on July 30 in Louisville, Ky., absorbed some powerful punches early in the fight before stopping the former champ in the fourth round, laying claim to a title shot of his own.

He has been using sparring partners who stand 6-foot-6 and 6-7 to condition himself for Klitschko, who goes 6-7.

Williams, 6-1, weighed 265 pounds for the Tyson fight but said he plans to come into the ring a few pounds lighter Saturday.

Williams and Klitschko were scheduled to weigh in at 2:30 p.m. today.

"I know to beat Klitschko I'm going to have to use a bit more speed and footwork," said Williams, 31. "For me, this is the real deal. It's my opportunity to prove I'm for real and pick up the WBC title at the same time."

Klitschko is a minus 400 favorite in Saturday's fight, according to odds in the Mandalay Bay sports book; Williams is plus 300.

In his biggest fight, Klitschko lost to Lennox Lewis, then the heavyweight champion, in June 2003 when the fight was halted after the sixth round because of cuts around Klitschko's left eye. Klitschko was winning the fight on all three judges' scorecards. He was denied a rematch when Lewis subsequently retired from boxing.

Lewis will be ringside Saturday night calling the action as a member of HBO pay per view's broadcast team.

"I believe that if (Klitschko) does get cut, that will definitely weigh heavily on his mind because he realizes he has been stopped before on a cut," Lewis said. "You do not want to be a champion out there that gets cut easy because at any moment, when you get cut, you could lose the fight. That will definitely be a factor in his mind."

More than 3,000 British fight fans are expected to make the trip to Mandalay Bay, and at least 70 countries are expected to carry the fight live.

In the featured undercard bout, unbeaten Miguel Cotto (21-0, 17 KOs) fights former champion Randall Bailey (28-4, 27 KOs) for the WBO junior welterweight title. Cotto won the belt when he stopped Kelson Pinto in September.

"You are always concerned when facing big punchers like Bailey," Cotto said. "It took a lot of work and more than three years as a professional to win this belt and it will not be easy to take it away from me. ... This belt is going back to Puerto Rico with me."

In the other televised bouts, Carlos Navarro (25-3-1, 20 KOs) meets Agapito Sanchez (35-9-2, 18 KOs) in a junior lightweight match scheduled for 12 rounds; and Carlos Hernandez (44-4-1, 24 KOs) and Juan Carlos Ramirez (34-6, 14 KOs) square off in a junior lightweight 10-rounder.

Also on the undercard is an 8-round light heavyweight bout between Kai Kurzawa (17-0, 12 KOs) and Thomas Reid (33-13-1, 13 KOs); an 8-round junior welterweight bout between Ricardo Torres (25-0, 23 KOs) and an opponent to be announced; and an 8-round super middleweight bout between Danilo Haussler (24-2, 6 KOs) and an opponent to be announced.

Doors open at 3:30 p.m. Saturday and the pay-per-view broadcast begins at 6 p.m.