Boxing: Klitschko retains crown in eight rounds

LAS VEGAS - Ukraine's Vitali Klitschko stopped Britain's Danny Williams in the eighth round to retain his World Boxing Council (WBC) heavyweight crown today.

The defending champion dominated the fight from the start and had Williams on the canvas in the first, third and seventh rounds at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.

When he knocked Williams down with a vicious right cross again after one minute 26 seconds of the eighth round referee Jay Nady decided the courageous challenger had taken enough punishment and ended the fight.

Williams, who weighed in at his heaviest ever at 122.5kg, seemed unable to block the attacks of his quicker and taller opponent and was repeatedly shaken by Klitschko's punches.

"I feel this was the best performance of my career," Klitschko said, dedicating his win to democracy in Ukraine.

"I was surprised that Danny Williams was able to take so many punches. He has a strong chin."

Klitschko was making his first defence of the WBC title which he won in April when he beat South African Corrie Sanders.

Williams won the right to fight for the title by beating former champion Mike Tyson in July.

- REUTERS