Wladimir Klitschko did what everyone expected him to do when he entered the ring on Saturday—he chalked up another huge win over his heavyweight competition.
It took the heavyweight champion just six rounds to dispose of Francesco Pianeta via a brutal technical knockout.
Many would perhaps even argue that it was a one-sided domination, with the sheer strength and brutality of Klitschko on full display.
Those sentiments wouldn't be completely off-base either.
Dr. Steelhammer landed a slew of punches throughout the night—striking his opponent with 90 percent more shots than he received. Moreover, those numbers were even more skewed when it came to power punches, with Pianeta forced to throwing haymakers simply to try and beat his opponent.
The result was, as all expected, a complete beatdown by Klitschko.
And after another incredibly easy victory, the question must be asked as to what is next for the heavyweight champion. For at first glance—and looking back over his record too—the truth is that there are few opponents capable of challenging the Ukrainian.
Klitschko has won 60 fights now—52 via knockout—and has chalked up 14 successful title defenses. His last loss came against Lamon Brewster nearly 10 years ago, and as Bleacher Report's Tim Keeney highlights, he looked more "like he just got done with a nice, relaxing spa day—not like he just defended the WBA, WBO, IBF and IBO heavyweight titles" after the fight was finished.
So, where to go from here for Klitschko?
Surely it has to be to take on Alexander Povetkin, the reigning WBA (Regular) heavyweight champion.
Speculation has been ripe about a potential showdown between the two (via boxingscene.com), with ESPN reporting that when they eventually do face off(note, not if), the winnings purse will fetch over $23 million dollars—the biggest either boxer will have seen in their respective careers.
A former Olympic champion, Povetkin is one of the few men capable of mixing it with the giant Ukrainian—let alone defeating him or even knocking him out.
Given the one-sided dominance that Klitschko has had lately, it seems that even a close fight would be amazing. Someone who could challenge the 6'6" giant and do something other than avoid getting knocked out would be a great sight to see and revitalize heavyweight boxing.
Should he win, there would be no disputing Klitschko as the heavyweight champion and perhaps even one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world today.
But until it happens, his record may as well read no-contest.
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