KLITSCHKO, WLADIMIR-ALEX LEAPAI OFFICIAL PROGRAM (2014)

HISTORY: On April 26, 2014 at Koenig Pilsener Arena, Oberhausen, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany world heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko defended his titles against Alex Leapai in the featured bout. Klitschko stopped Leapai in the 5th round. Before the bout, Klitschko stated in an interview with German newspaper Die Welt that he wanted to remain champion for another ten years. In his previous fight, Leapai floored and outpointed Denis Boytsov, who was 33-0 and ranked No. 1 by the WBO. After defeating Boytsov, Leapai went from being ranked No. 8 to No. 1 by the WBO. Leapai was the first Australian boxer to fight for the World Heavyweight Championship since Bill Squires, who unsuccessfully challenged Tommy Burns once in 1907 and twice in 1908. Leading up to the bout, former WBO Heavyweight Champion Shannon Briggs drew more media attention than Leapai. Briggs disturbed a Klitschko training session, a press conference and the official weigh-in. Each time, Briggs pulled off his shirt and demanded a title shot. Klitschko and his manager, Bernd Bönte, showed no interest in a fight with Briggs, who returned to the ring on April 11 after three and one-half years of inactivity. Leapai was knocked down once in the first round and twice in the fifth round. The Associated Press reported: "Klitschko, taller with a longer reach, controlled the fight at will, scoring with left jabs and straight rights with hardly any opposition from the Samoan-born Australian." Offered here is an original, official program for this event.

FULL DESCRIPTION: This is an original, official program picturing both fighters on the cover. 28 pages complete including covers. Tight binding. Not scored. Light foxing on cover, otherwise clean inside and out. Not creased or torn. 8 1/4" x 11 3/4.