March 21, Stuttgart, Germany:
WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko retained the title with a hardfought ninth round stoppage of the brave Cuban Black Panther, Juan Carlos Gomez. It was stopped at 1.49 with Gomez taking a beting along the ropes. He had been down earler in the round as well and was also hurt by a clash of heads that led to a point deduktion from Klitschko. After eight the big Ukrainian was ahead on scores of 80-71 and 79-72 twice.
Gomez was fast out at the first bell while Klitschko looked rusty and clumsy. But by the third the champion found the range with powerful if awkward punches and it was obvious that Gomez, as good boxer as he is, wasn´t strong enough to shake Klitschko. Gomez was hurt and floored in the seventh and was close to being stopped. Later in the round he was on his way down but wrestled Klitschko down with him and no count was issued although Gomez barely could get up.
After four the judges had 40-36 and 39-37 twice for Klitschko which looked a bit hard on the challenger – the scoring here probably led to Gomez´ downfall as he was forced to be more agressive, taking more chances and thus left himself open.