Klitschko vs Povetkin results: Wladimir dominates 'White Lion' in Russian clinch-fest

It wasn't pretty, but Wladimir Klitschko is still the No. 1-ranked boxing Heavyweight on the planet, shutting out previously-unbeaten Alexander Povetkin over 12 one-sided rounds this afternoon (Sat., Oct. 5, 2013) at Olimpiisky Arena in Moscow, Russia.

For complete "Klitschko vs. Povetkin results, including round-by-round by coverage of the championship showdown, click here.

The writing was on the wall as early as the second round, when a short Klitschko left hook put Povetkin on rubber legs and sent him to the canvas. From then on, it was a classic Klitschko fight: Vicious jabs from the outside, clinches whenever Povetkin approached.

The only real highlight of the bout afterward was the seventh round, when Klitschko scored three knockdowns, two of which were the result of him tossing Povetkin to the mat after hurting him with punches. Referee Luis Pabon just did an atrocious job overall, only penalizing Klitschko for clinching once in the round 11 and calling those bogus knockdowns.

In the end, though, it wouldn't have mattered if he'd taken over a dozen points, as Klitschko wound up winning with scores of 119-104 across the board.

With this win, Klitschko has essentially cleaned out the entirety of the Heavyweight division. The only big men of note he and his brother, Vitali Klitschko, have yet to lay waste to are Tyson Fury -- who is currently scheduled to fight David Haye in Feb. 2014 -- and unbeaten Bulgarian Kubrat Pulev, who was last seen defeating former Klitschko (Wladimir) victim Tony Thompson.

One might make a case for Deontay Wilder, but his incredibly poor strength of schedule means it'll be a while before he's earned a crack at the big man. In any case, despite approaching 40 years old and the unpleasantness of this afternoon's bout, Klitschko still looks like the best heavyweight in the world.

And I don't see that changing any time soon.

For complete "Klitschko vs. Povetkin results, including round-by-round by coverage of the championship showdown, click here.