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Klitschko victory brings big ratings

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Klitschko victory brings big ratings
Photo: DPA

Heavyweight boxing champion Vladimir Klitschko's sixth-round defeat of American Tony Thompson on Saturday brought big ratings for the German broadcaster RTL, which plans to continue televising the Klitschkos' fights.

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An estimated 8.36 million viewers in Germany tuned in to see Klitschko beat Thompson in a fight in Bern, Switzerland. The fight gave RTL a television market share of 41.5 percent.

RTL are in discussions with representatives of Klitschko’s management team about continuing their collaboration after the current contract expires on September 8.

Klitschko’s manager Bernd Bönte has already announced that his fighter plans to step in the ring in November or December. By defeating Thompson, 36-year-old Klitschko held on to his WBA, IBF, and WBO heavyweight titles.

Klitschko’s older brother Vitali plans to defend his WBC heavyweight title in a match against Germany’s Manuel Charr in Moscow on September 8.

RTL is also considering further collaboration with Vitali Klitschko, though the future of his boxing career after the September match remains uncertain because of his candidacy for mayor of Kyiv, Ukraine.

DAPD/The Local/mbw

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