LOS ANGELES, CA - Vitali Klitschko captured the World Boxing Council heavyweight crown here on Saturday, stopping South African Corrie Sanders in the eighth round for the title left vacant by the retirement of Lennox Lewis.
Referee Jon Schorle stepped between the two and stopped the fight at two minutes, 46 seconds of the eighth round of their scheduled 12-rounder with Klitschko swarming Sanders and connecting with both hands.
Klitschko improved to 34-2, with 33 wins inside the distance, as he used his jab to score points and keep Sanders at a distance in front of about 17,000 at Staples Center.
With the victory, Klitschko not only captured the heavyweight title but he avenged a loss by his younger brother Wladimir Klitschko to Sanders 13 months ago.
Sanders, who dropped to 39-3, with 29 knockouts, got the better of Klitschko in the first round and appeared to knock the giant Ukrainian down, But Schorle ruled it a slip.
Sanders was unable to capitalize and soon ran out of steam and his punches lost power as the fight went on.
"I have my goal, I have my dream, and I'm proud to be world champion," said Klitschko.
