Hearn: Watch out Vitali

Sosnowski: Has a chance

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Barry Hearn insists Albert Sosnowski has a better chance than many think of snatching Vitali Klitschko's WBC world heavyweight title from him, especially if he avoids an early stoppage.

London-based Pole Sosnowski will face Klitschko in Schalke, Germany on May 29, after pulling out of a European title clash with Audley Harrison.

Few give Sosnowski a chance of toppling Klitschko, especially in Germany where the Ukrainian is now based, but Hearn thinks there could be a shock in store.

Given Klitschko's age, and the never-say-die attitude Sosnowski has shown previously and in the build-up, Hearn thinks that there could be an upset on the cards.

"You never know when a near 40-year-old runs out of petrol," Hearn told skysports.com.

"I've had Sosnowski since he was 18. He's from a kick-boxing background, he's strongly motivated and tough like a typical Eastern European.

"Is he good enough to be world heavyweight champion? No. Can he be world champion? Possibly.

"You know what you'll get with Albert, he's going to keep coming forward for 12 rounds of action with flurries of punches but he's not the concussive puncher that Klitschko is with the right hand.

Chance

"But you have to ask what Klitschko turns up. Klitschko either does the job early on Sosnowski or Sosnowski wins."

Fighting in Germany means that Sosnowski would have to win big to possibly get the nod from the judges, but Hearn thinks that if he makes it through to the latter stages Klitschko might get found out.

"It's in Germany so we can't expect any favours, it's going to have to be a big win to get the result, but the boy's not without a chance," said Hearn.

"He's not a 2-1 outsider, he's bigger than that, but all I can tell you is that of all the fighters I've had over the years I know what I'm getting with Sosnowski, he's a tough kid, he's got a chance, and maybe a bigger chance than people might realise."

Hearn was happy to pull Sosnowski out of the European fight with Harrison to take a massive bumper pay-day against Klitschko, but he insists his man is only thinking of the title.

"We were happy to do the deal with Klitschko because it's a massive payday for Albert, but Albert's not really interested in the money, Albert wants to win it," added Hearn.

"I know it sounds strange but he's not interested in the money, he likes the money, but he really wants to win that title."