Boxing: Victory puts Klitschko closer to title fight

FORMER WBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko scored a fourth round technical knockout win over American Danell Nicholson in Kiel, Germany.

Klitschko, who was elevated to number one in the recently released WBO rankings, is now in line to face Lamon Brewster for the vacant title.

Nicholson did a lot of holding and grabbing to avoid Klitschko's jab and referee John Coyle deducted a point from the American in the second round for continued holding.

In round four, Klitschko floored Nicholson. The American rose at the count of eight, but Klitschko was all over him again. With his back pinned against the ropes and covering his head with his gloves, Nicholson took more shots from Klitschko until referee John Coyle called a halt to the bout at one minute 44 seconds of the round.

It was Klitschko's second start since losing his WBO heavyweight title to Corrie Sanders in March.

He told www.boxing-central.com: "Now that I have had two tune-up fights, I am definitely ready to fight any of the world champions.

"Next year is going to be the year of the Klitschko brothers. I am more than certain that Vitali will win the world title hopefully, it will be in the rematch against Lennox Lewis and I am confident that I will, too."