Klitschko vs Pianeta Time, Odds & Preview
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Wladimir Klitschko (59-3, 50 KO) is set to defend the RING Magazine/Lineal Heavyweight Championship of the World - The most prestigious title in sports. His opponent will be the unheralded Francesco Pianeta (28-0, 15 KO), a former sparring partner.
Klitschko vs Pianeta Time:
4:30 PM EST
21:30 UK
22:30 Deutschland
Klitschko vs Pianeta Broadcast:
USA - EPIX
UK - ESPN
Deutschland - RTL
Venue: SAP-Arena
Location: Mannheim, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
Division: Heavyweight
Titles at Stake: RING Magazine, WBA, WBO, IBF and IBO (Klitschko defending)
Klitschko vs Pianeta Odds:
The most popular betting sites have Wladimir Klitschko a 16 to 1 favorite while his opponent, Francesco Pianeta, is roughly a 20 to 1 underdog.
While it may be hard to state a case for Wladimir Klitschko being the most exciting heavyweight champion ever, he, along with his brother Vitali, has dominated heavyweight boxing for the better part of the last 9 years.
In Klitschko vs Wach last November, the Ukrainian brutalized the over-matched, super-sized Pole all night and cruised to a decisive points win. Aside from providing about 20 seconds of brutality towards the end of Round 5, Mariusz Wach was little more than a human punching bag from start to finish.
As a matter of fact, many believed the bout should have been stopped at the end of Round 8 due to the tremendous beating Wach was taking.
So who is Wlad fighting again?
Francesco Pianeta is a 28 year old, 6'5" Italian heavyweight who was raised in Germany.A southpaw, Pianeta has triumphed in 10 round decisions over notable opponents Oliver McCall and Francois Botha, two fighters light-years past their respective primes.
But to his credit, Pianeta manufactured a draw in his bout with the capable Albert Sosnowski (then 44-2) in 2009 and KO'd Matt Skelton (then 22-3) the same year.
And in his most recent bout in November, Pianeta stopped Nelson Dario Dominguez (then 14-1-1) in the first round.
A pro for eight years, Pianeta has won 4 of his last 5 fights via decision verdicts.
Not only will Wlad have a clear advantage technically, Pianeta isn't a major threat in terms of punching power as only 51% of his fights have ended in a knockout.
And while a 51% knockouts-to-fights ratio is certainly nothing to be ashamed of, it should be noted he scored knockouts in 7 of his first 8 bouts so Pianeta hasn't exactly been heavy-handed in recent years.
Not ranked as a top ten heavyweight by most if not nearly all publications, a Pianeta upset would be tantamount to Buster Douglas' knockout of Mike Tyson in 1990.
Nevertheless, some are giving the underdog a decent chance. And keep in mind, Pianeta is a soutpaw.
Fight aficionado Bernie Campbell told FightSaga, "Pianeta is a tough hombre... Wlad is making a big mistake!"
Francesco Pianeta is, on paper, the ideal opponent for the 37 year old superstar champion to take lightly.
Will he?
Klitschko vs Pianeta Time:
4:30 PM EST
21:30 UK
22:30 Deutschland
Klitschko vs Pianeta Broadcast:
USA - EPIX
UK - ESPN
Deutschland - RTL
Venue: SAP-Arena
Location: Mannheim, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
Division: Heavyweight
Titles at Stake: RING Magazine, WBA, WBO, IBF and IBO (Klitschko defending)
Wladimir Klitschko vs Francesco Pianeta Tale of the Tape
Klitschko vs Pianeta Odds:
The most popular betting sites have Wladimir Klitschko a 16 to 1 favorite while his opponent, Francesco Pianeta, is roughly a 20 to 1 underdog.
While it may be hard to state a case for Wladimir Klitschko being the most exciting heavyweight champion ever, he, along with his brother Vitali, has dominated heavyweight boxing for the better part of the last 9 years.
The 5th longest reigning heavyweight world champion, Wladimir Klitschko is on a 16 fight win streak and hasn't lost since 2004.
In Klitschko vs Wach last November, the Ukrainian brutalized the over-matched, super-sized Pole all night and cruised to a decisive points win. Aside from providing about 20 seconds of brutality towards the end of Round 5, Mariusz Wach was little more than a human punching bag from start to finish.
As a matter of fact, many believed the bout should have been stopped at the end of Round 8 due to the tremendous beating Wach was taking.
So who is Wlad fighting again?
Francesco Pianeta is a 28 year old, 6'5" Italian heavyweight who was raised in Germany.A southpaw, Pianeta has triumphed in 10 round decisions over notable opponents Oliver McCall and Francois Botha, two fighters light-years past their respective primes.
But to his credit, Pianeta manufactured a draw in his bout with the capable Albert Sosnowski (then 44-2) in 2009 and KO'd Matt Skelton (then 22-3) the same year.
And in his most recent bout in November, Pianeta stopped Nelson Dario Dominguez (then 14-1-1) in the first round.
A pro for eight years, Pianeta has won 4 of his last 5 fights via decision verdicts.
Not only will Wlad have a clear advantage technically, Pianeta isn't a major threat in terms of punching power as only 51% of his fights have ended in a knockout.
And while a 51% knockouts-to-fights ratio is certainly nothing to be ashamed of, it should be noted he scored knockouts in 7 of his first 8 bouts so Pianeta hasn't exactly been heavy-handed in recent years.
Not ranked as a top ten heavyweight by most if not nearly all publications, a Pianeta upset would be tantamount to Buster Douglas' knockout of Mike Tyson in 1990.
Nevertheless, some are giving the underdog a decent chance. And keep in mind, Pianeta is a soutpaw.Fight aficionado Bernie Campbell told FightSaga, "Pianeta is a tough hombre... Wlad is making a big mistake!"
Francesco Pianeta is, on paper, the ideal opponent for the 37 year old superstar champion to take lightly.
Will he?
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