Wladimir Klitschko done what he does best on Saturday night and extended his winning run to twenty-two fights in a row with a unanimous decision win over Bryant Jennings.

Klitschko was fighting in the USA for the first time since February 2008. On that occasion he beat Sultan Ibragimov on points in Madison Square Garden and he was back in the Garden on Sunday to take on Philadelphia's Bryant Jennings. Jennings would be fighting in the Garden for his third successive fight and had recorded impressive wins over Artur Szpilka and Mike Perez in the last two.

Klitschko made a good start to the fight and controlled the early rounds with his jab keeping Jennings at distance but Jennings grew in confidence as the fight went on and his movement was giving the Ukrainian problems.

As has happened in previous fights Klitschko held onto his opponent when he got in close but on this occasion the referee was on top of it and eventually deducted Klitschko a point in the 10th round. It seemed clear that Jennings plan was to get in close and then work the body which gave him some success throughout but in truth he never really troubled the champion. Klitschko landed a few good shots on Jennings but the American took the shots well and fully deserved to hear the final bell.

All three judges gave the decision to Klitschko with two scoring it 116-111 and the other scoring it 118-109. There could be no doubt that Klitschko won the fight but Jennings felt it was closer than the scorecards suggested. 

"I think the scorecards were way off. I think the fight was a bit closer and probably could have gone either way," said the American after the fight.

Klitschko was complimentary about his opponent in his post fight interview, "Jennings would have beaten a lot of heavyweights. He's a tough competitor."

As it was Klitschko won the fight comfortably but he didn't look as impressive as he has in recent years. That may have been down to Jennings style with the American quick to get out of the way when Wladimir looked for the big shots but with this being his first fight in the USA for seven years he will have been disappointed not to silence his many critics on that side of the Atlantic.

Also on the card there were wins for Sadam Ali (22-0), Charles Martin (21-0-1), Iago Kiladze (23-1) and Kenneth Sims Jr  (6-0).

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About the author
Gerry Johnston
Cover Spanish and Italian football for VAVEL UK.