By Ben Dirs

Klitschko is the consensus champion at heavyweight

If, as many would have you believe, Vitali Klitschko is nothing but a robot, he is beyond the imaginings of our finest science fiction writers.

Certainly, C3PO could never fight like this.

Just ask Danny Williams, who took so much punishment from "Dr Ironfist" on Saturday night he will be spitting out filings, not to mention fillings, for weeks.

Klitschko lends himself to lazy stereotypes - the pronounced Soviet accent, the glowering stare, the colour of his skin.

Many in the western world want him to be Ivan Drago, the simplistic Russian villain from the fourth Rocky movie.

But the reality is Klitschko speaks four languages, is a doctor of philosophy and a man of esoteric tastes.

Similarly, the WBC champion is not the one-dimensional fighter many think him to be.

The giant Ukrainian showed as much by taking Lennox Lewis into the trenches in 2003, leading on points before cuts intervened.

His awkward, mechanical style may appear clanking, but he is wired for pin-point accuracy, programmed with a ramrod jab and a sickening right.

As Williams will attest, Klitschko can string together stinging combinations, taking aim from a great height and striking down on his opponent.

VITALI KLITSCHKO'S CAREER Born: 19/07/71 Home: Belovodsk, Kyrgyzstan Record: 35(34)-2 Trainer: Fritz Sdunek Stance: Orthodox Height: 6ft 7in Key wins: Williams: 11/12/04 (WBC title) Sanders: 24/04/04 (WBC) Hide: 26/06/99 (WBO) Key losses: Lewis: 21/06/03 (WBC) Byrd: 01/04/00

In addition, he adopts a side-on stance that narrows the target and makes it even harder for rivals to reach.

And when hapless adversaries are lucky enough to connect, Klitschko simply collapses on top of them like a ton of bricks.

Admittedly, Williams hardly proved a formidable foe in Las Vegas, and for eight rounds was little more than a heavy bag with legs.

But, as the old adage goes, you can only beat what is put in front of you and the 33-year-old Klitschko has done that with unerring regularity during a 37-fight career bristling with 34 knockouts.

With the other three major belt-holders more in Williams' class than Lewis', Klitschko could well go on to unify the division - if Don King will let him.

For it is King who controls the WBA, IBF and WBO champions - respectively John Ruiz, Chris Byrd and Lamon Brewster.

Certainly, Klitschko has the talent to be the division's dominant force over the coming years, or until the next young sensation comes along and grabs the sport by the scruff of the neck.

And perhaps people will look back on Klitschko's career when he has retired and say: "Remember that big Ukrainian lump with the massive punch? He could fight a bit as well."