Klitschko back with a bang

VITALI KLITSCHKO bounced back from his brave loss to Lennox Lewis in impressive fashion with a second-round win over Canada’s Kirk Johnson in New York.

Klitschko was leading on all three scorecards when a bad cut ended his contest with Lewis in the sixth round last June.

The 32-year-old Ukrainian has called for a rematch ever since and pressed his claims when destroying the highly-ranked Johnson at Madison Square Garden.

The 6ft 8in powerhouse sent Johnson to the canvas with a barrage of blows in the second.

Johnson rose to his feet but looked apprehensive, and his fears proved justified as Klitschko finished him off with a cracking combination.

Klitschko took his record to 33-2, his only other loss coming when he suffered a shoulder injury during his bout with Chris Byrd in April 2000, when again ahead on points.

Much-hyped Italian-American Joe Mesi retained his unbeaten record but was far from convincing in gaining a majority decision over Monte Barrett on the undercard.

lEamonn Magee believes that claiming the WBU welterweight title on Saturday night will put him back in the frame for a rematch with Ricky Hatton.

Magee takes on Jimmy Vincent in Cardiff for the vacant WBU belt but his long-term aim is a showdown with light-welterweight champion Hatton.

lJames Chisholm took his professional boxing career to a new level at the weekend when he knocked out Leon Mason in the fifth round of their light welterweight contest at the Royal Plaza in Toronto.

It was the 26 year old Corkman’s first venture outside of Europe since turning professional and he was always in control of the fight despite a brave effort from the State University champion who had won 10 of his 13 previous professional fights.

It came to an end when Chisholm caught him with a big left hook in the fifth round of their scheduled eight rounder to clinch his seventh straight victory.

“I felt strong. I am punching two or three weights above my weight,” Chisholm said. “But this will probably be my last fight at light welterweight. I feel I will be stronger at welterweight and, around London where I am based, I would get more opportunities as a welterweight.”

Chisholm, who has his own personal training business in London and boxes out of the Repton Club where he is managed by Frank Moloney, will now take a break and will be back in Cork to spend Christmas with his family.