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Klitschko looking for a repeat win

Klitschko beat Byrd in a WBO title bout in 2000

HEIDELBERG, Germany -- Wladimir Klitschko is aiming to repeat a previous victory over champion Chris Byrd again when the two meet on Saturday in an International Boxing Federation (IBF) world heavyweight title bout in Mannheim.

"Chris Byrd is the number one but I am ready for him," said Klitschko at a news conference on Tuesday.

The Ukrainian has deprived Byrd of a world title before, in 2000 when he won on points to claim the World Boxing Organization (WBO) crown.

But Klitschko has also suffered title fight defeats, knocked out by Corrie Sanders of South Africa and Lamon Brewster of the US.

Byrd is confident that he can prove his class on Saturday, and is unafraid of facing Klitschko in Germany, where the Ukrainian has lived and trained in the past.

"I know that I am the champion. People may think that I am crazy to box against him in Germany but I have plenty of strength. I won't run away, but attack," Byrd said.

Byrd's coach and father Joe Byrd said his son was "top fit" but Klitschko trainer Emanuel Steward was also upbeat, saying that "Wladimir is on his way back to the top after two difficult years."

Klitschko has won 45 of his 48 pro bouts, 40 of them by knockout, and lost the other three. Byrd has 42 fights, of those 39 wins (20 by knockout), one draw and two defeats.

False accusation

A German court ruled on Tuesday that Byrd falsely accused Klitschko of using a chemical substance on his gloves to affect his vision in their world title bout in 2000.

The 35-year-old American made the claim in the German press after losing the WBO heavyweight fight on points.

Klitschko was at that time being promoted by Universum who took legal action for libel.

In Tuesday's judgement a Berlin high court ruled that Byrd "had no authority to repeat such a statement".

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