Klitschko keeps IBF title on TKO in the seventh

MANNHEIM, Germany (AP) — Wladimir Klitschko successfully defended his IBF heavyweight crown by stopping Hasim Rahman in the seventh round at SAP Arena on Saturday.

Klitschko hit the shorter, older and heavier Rahman at will throughout, and after landing a left-right-left combination against the cornered American, referee Tony Weeks stepped in to end the contest 44 seconds into the round. Rahman didn’t appear upset.

“He knew this was his chance,” Klitschko said, “I was surprised, but he was much slower.”

Klitschko had knocked down Rahman in the previous round with successive left hooks.

The technical knockout in Klitchsko’s sixth defense of the IBF belt — and third this year — improved the Ukrainian-born fighter to 52-3 with 46 KOs.

“He fought a very smart, intelligent fight,” said Klitschko’s trainer, Emanuel Steward.

Rahman, the two-time heavyweight champion who stepped in as a replacement opponent last month, struggled to get inside the taller Klitschko’s reach, and dropped to 45-7-2.

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