Author Topic: Wladimir Klitschko likely out until 2010 after shoulder surgery  (Read 827 times)

polychronopolous

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Heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko is rehabilitating a left arm injury and likely won't fight again until 2010, manager Bernd Boente told ESPN.com on Saturday.

Boente said that Klitschko had "minor tendon surgery on his left shoulder six weeks ago." The injury had not previously been disclosed.

Klitschko (53-3, 47 KOs) injured the shoulder during his June 20 demolition of Ruslan Chagaev, who took a pounding and retired on his stool one second into the 10th round of their fight in Germany, Boente said.

"His rehab is going well, making good progress," Boente said.

Klitschko, who had the surgery in Germany, planned to make a mandatory defense against American Eddie Chambers (35-1, 18 KOs) in the fall. Klitschko's team has been in talks with Chambers' promoter, Dan Goossen.

However, between the injury and a lack of American television dates for the rest of the year, Boente said 2010 was more realistic for the fight with Chambers "because we want U.S. TV to be on board."

Boente said it would likely be in the spring, depending on the "final healing process, arena availabilities and TV dates."

Klitschko has won 11 fights in a row, including eight by knockout, as he has unified two belts.

His older brother, Vitali Klitschko, also holds one of the heavyweight belts and will defend it in Los Angeles against American Cristobal Arreola on Sept. 26.

polychronopolous

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Re: Wladimir Klitschko likely out until 2010 after shoulder surgery
« Reply #1 on: August 24, 2009, 10:07:53 AM »
That's really a bummer; I was looking forward to the matchup with Eddie Chambers, who looked good in his last fight.

Maybe we'll still be able to see it early next year...

Even if Arreola gets dismantled by Vitali, I think Chambers vs. Arreola would be a decent fight as well.