Boxing News 2014: Ukrainian Wladimir Klitschko KOs Alex Leapai in Round 5; Ends Australia’s Quest for Boxing Title

Ukrainian heavy weight boxing World Champion Wladimir Klitschko (L) attends a public training session in Going April 8, 2014. Klitschko will face Alex Leapai from Australia in a title fight on April 26 in Oberhausen, Germany. REUTERS/Lukas Barth (AUSTRIA - Tags: SPORT BOXING)

Ukrainian boxer Wladimir Klitscho knocked out Australian pugilist Alex Leapai in Round 5 of their heavyweight championship bout on Saturday in Oberhausen, Germany, ending Australia's quest for a boxing title.

The lopsided fight dominated by Klitschko from the first round had the Ukrainian retain his four heavyweight titles - the WBA (Super), IBF, WBO and IBO as well as The Ring's world heavyweight. Being taller and with a longer reach, Klitschko controlled the fight as he scored with left jabs and straight rights, while Leapai only threw 10 punches.

The bout is considered one of Klitschko's easiest defence of his title since Leapai was already wobbly by the second round. In Round 5, Klitschko decided to end Leapai's misery throwing a one-two in response to the Aussie boxer's big right, knocking down Leapai (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KiKlr56K6JQ).

Although Leapai managed to stand up, Klitschko again unleased the strength of his deadly fists that earned him the moniker Dr Steelhammer, sending Leapai through the ropes which prompted referee Eddie Cotton to end the fight.

The score: 147-10. It was Klitschko's 53^rd KO out of 62 wins and 65 fights, while it was the 5^th loss for Leapai who has 24 KOs in his professional career out of 30 wins.

Leapai, 34, promised before the bout to knockout his opponent. After the one-sided fight, he said, "I'm all right, I want to thank Wladimir for the opportunity, he showed why he's the champion."

In response, the champ told Leapai, "You gave everything, respect."

Klitschko admitted, "It wasn't easy, because my head was with my countrymen in Ukraine. What is going on in my home country is the concern of the world." His brother Vitali, also a champion boxer, initially planned to run for president, but instead endorsed Petro Poroshenko and opted to run for mayor of Kiev.

Vitali's wife, Natalia, sang the Ukrainian national anthem before the bout. Commenting on his brother's victory, Vitali said, "It was textbook fighting by Wladimir. He did not make a mistake."

Leapai explained, "We were trying to get inside but Wladimir was sticking the jab out." But he promised, "It didn't work tonight but we're going to get back in the gym and work on a few things. I'll be back."