Klitschko retains heavyweight titles

DUESSELDORF, Germany - Wladimir Klitschko stopped Jean-Marc Mormeck of France in the fourth round of a one-sided fight to retain his WBA and IBF heavyweight titles on Saturday.

The Ukrainian put Mormeck down with a left-right combination followed by a short left. Mormeck beat the count but looked wobbly, and referee Luis Pabon called it over.

“His strategy was to make me tired but I dominated,” Klitschko said.

Klitschko was credited with the 50th KO of his career but Mormeck said he could have fought on. “I was frustrated, I could have continued,” he said.

Klitschko had already floored Mormeck in the second and completely dominated the affair against the much smaller challenger, who never connected with a clean punch, although Klitschko said he had been hit with one jab.

Klitschko’s record improved to 57-3, while Mormeck dropped to 36-5. Klitschko also held onto the minor IBO and WBO belts.

“I’ve been around for 15 years and now I have the 50th [KO],” Klitschko told the crowd at Duesseldorf’s football stadium. “It’s a big day for me.” AP