Klitschko captures IBF title

Vladimir Klitschko took the International Boxing Federation (IBF) heavyweight title away from Chris Byrd by technical knockout after putting the American on the canvas a second time in round seven on Saturday.

The 30-year-old Ukrainian took control of the fight in Mannheim in the second round and knocked Byrd down for the first time with a powerful left-right combination in the fifth round before flooring him again with another flurry two rounds later.

Klitschko, cheered on by the sell-out crowd of 15,000, was surprised and impressed that Byrd stayed on his feet in round five.

"Chris Byrd showed great heart despite all the punches he took," said Klitschko. "I knew I had to stay cautious and watch out."

Klitschko beat Byrd in 2000 to win the World Boxing Organisation (WBO) crown in Cologne but relinquished the title in an upset loss to S. African Corrie Sanders in 2003.

The heavyweight division has been without a clear-cut champion since Briton Lennox Lewis retired in 2003.

The IBF is one of four heavyweight championships. The three other belts are held by American Hasim Rahman (WBC), Nikolai Valuev of Russia (World Boxing Association) and Sergei Liakhovic of Belarus (WBO).