Klitschko stops foe in 11th rd

LOS ANGELES – Vitali Klitschko retained his piece of the heavyweight title Saturday night, dominating Cris Arreola from the opening bell before the latter’s corner finally decided he had enough and refused to let the challenger come out for the 11th round.

It was the first loss for Arreola, who was trying to become the first Mexican-American to win a heavyweight title.

Arreola spent almost the entire fight moving forward in an attempt to get inside his taller opponent, but paid a heavy price as Klitschko landed punches from almost every angle to his head and midsection. By the later rounds, Arreola’s face was a bloody mess, yet he continued to plod forward in an increasingly desperate attempt to land a big punch inside.

The fight ended with Arreola on his stool after the 10th round, still ready to fight some more when his trainer refused to allow him to go on.

“He was taking too much punishment,” trainer Henry Ramirez said. “When I told him I was going to stop the fight he was irate.”

Klitschko put on an impressive show, using both his reach advantage and his considerable ring skills to land left hooks followed by an assortment of right hands. But he was never able to put Arreola down, and never landed enough big punches to make him want to quit.

“I know I was hurting him a lot but he has a great, great chin,” Klitschko said. “I was surprised he did not come out (for the 11th round).”

One ringside judge gave Klitschko all 10 rounds while the other two gave Arreola one round. The Associated Press had Klitschko winning every round.

It was the third win for Klitschko since he returned last year from a four-year retirement he said he needed to allow his body to heal.                         

His brother, Wladimir, also a heavyweight champion, was in the corner to give him advice but there was little that needed to be said. (AP)