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Tuesday, March 05, 2013

Klitschko to defend heavyweight title against Pianeta

BERLIN (Reuters) - Ukraine's Vladimir Klitschko will defend his four world heavyweight title belts against former sparring partner German-Italian challenger Francesco Pianeta in Mannheim on May 4, his management said on Tuesday.

Klitschko, who holds the IBF, IBO, WBO and WBA crown had used the 28-year-old Pianeta as a sparring partner last year.

Ukrainian WBA, WBO, IBO and IBF heavy weight boxing world champion Vladimir Klitschko celebrates after his title fight against Polish challenger Mariusz Wach in Hamburg November 10, 2012. REUTERS/Fabian Bimmer

The 36-year-old Ukrainian's record stands as 59 wins and three defeats after his three successful title defences in 2012, including a November victory over Poland's Mariusz Wach.

Pianeta, who at 1.93 metres is five centimetres shorter than his opponent, is still undefeated with 28 wins and one draw.

"I have a lot of respect for Pianeta because he is young and has a big fighting spirit," the 36-year-old Klitschko said in a statement.

Klitschko's older brother, Vitali, holds the WBC crown.

"I was briefly his sparring partner last year and I noted where his weaknesses are and how best to exploit them," said Pianeta. "I understand many see me as an outsider and that is fine but I will knock Klitschko out and turn the world of boxing on its head."

(Reporting by Karolos Grohmann, editing by Justin Palmer)

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