WLADIMIR KLITSCHKO STOPS MERCER TO RETAIN HIS WBO TITLE By Saratogamist

WBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko retained his title Saturday night, stopping a weather-beaten 41-year-old Ray Mercer in the sixth round of a scheduled 12-rounder.

The up-and-coming Ukrainian (39-1) knocked down Mercer in the first round and cut him in the fifth, using a powerful left jab that kept the rugged Mercer on the defensive throughout. Klitschko uses the jab to set off vicious hooks. He does it very effectively and with great power; he also exhibits two fisted dynamite and an obvious height and reach advantage over most in the division.

Late in the opening round Klitschko connected with consecutive lefts that flattened Mercer. It seemed like the fight would end as a first round knockout, but -much to this credit- Mercer jumped up late in the count and survived the round.

Klitschko dominated the middle rounds, and in the sixth round backed Mercer into the ropes, unloading a hard right hand that snapped Ray's head back and seemingly took whatever fight he had left completely out of him. Mercer (30-5-1) moved to the other rope but when Klitschko unloaded another barrage of punches and the blood streamed down his face referee Randy Neumann stepped in, ending it at 1:08 of the round.

"I never faced a guy with such a strong chin," Klitschko said. "It's the strongest chin in the world."

The performance by the 6-foot-7-inch, 243-pound Klitschko should affirm his reputation as the heavyweight division's next big star and the #1 challenger to Lennox Lewis' hardware. Klitschko's showing seems to indicate that he could give Lennox Lewis a real fight, and could possibly defeat the British "pugilist specialist."

Klitschko was powerful, quick, took a punch - Mercer cut him over the right eye - and he fought with the kind of fluidity that most European fighters lack. In stopping Mercer, he did what no other fighter had ever done. In knocking him down, he did what only one - Evander Holyfield - had ever done.

Veteran Ray Mercer, 30-5-1, simply could not figure out how to get past Klitschko's jab. "I got beat, fair and square," Mercer said. "He caught me with a big punch in the first round and I never regrouped."

Punch statistics reflected the degree of Wladimir's domination. According to Compubox Klitschko connected on 193 of 429 punches, to 54 of 124 for Mercer.

After the fight, both fighters talked about their future intentions. Mercer, whose previous losses were by decision to Larry Holmes, Jesse Ferguson, 'Vander Holyfield and Lennox Lewis, said he would continue fighting. As for Klitschko, he has a bright future ahead of him in a division that cries out for a live standout. Will Lennox Lewis be willing to take a chance with a fighter who packs dynamite in both hands? Will Lennox be willing to step in the ring with this giant of a man, who seems to have a decent chin to go with the size attribute?

"I am ready to fight Lennox Lewis now but we have to get the answer from the people who can make the fight," said Klitschko. One of the people who can help make the fight is Manny Steward, Lewis' trainer." "He looked sensational and I give him an A+, but he needs a couple of fights before Lennox because he is not a big draw in America yet," said Steward, who was part of HBO's broadcast team.