KLITSCHKO PROVES HE'S THE REAL DEAL.

Byline: ROBERT MORALES Boxing

We now have four world heavyweight champions. All of them are gentlemen. Not a bad guy among them. But only one can be considered the true champion, and that is Vitali Klitschko.

Not because there should be only one champion, though we're all for that. But because Klitschko is the only legitimate champion in the group.

The others are Chris Byrd (IBF), John Ruiz (WBA) and Lamon Brewster (WBO). Need we say more?

In knocking out Corrie Sanders in the eighth round Saturday night at Staples Center to win the vacant WBC crown, Klitschko displayed all of the winning ingredients. He was assertive, yet patient. He was powerful, yet he also showed better technical skills that most had given him credit for.

Klitschko did get hit by a few of Sanders' patented left crosses, but he was otherwise able to steer clear of them with timely defensive moves.

Klitschko also showed he can fight well under pressure. During the last two weeks of the promotion, experts wondered if Klitschko would be too disturbed about the knockout loss suffered by his brother, Wladimir, to Brewster two weeks earlier.

But Klitschko was no worse for wear. He was extremely focused.

An HBO internet poll was taken right after the fight. Viewers were asked to pick the fighter they believed should be considered the real heavyweight champion. Eighty percent picked Klitschko.

What were the other 20 percent thinking?

Anyway, who's next? Klitschko was asked that several times during the post-fight news conference. It was no surprise that James ``Lights Out'' Toney was present, calling out Klitschko, just as he had done at the final pre-fight news conference three days earlier.

``The fight was garbage,'' Toney said. ``I can beat all of them.''

Well, we like Toney, but this fight was anything but garbage. Toney, however, is a fighter who could give Klitschko some trouble, provided he fully recovers from the recent surgery he had on his left Achilles.

``I think James Toney is a very good fighter,'' Klitschko said. ``He is very good. I think it would be a very interesting fight against him.''

Klitschko and Sanders fought for the title vacated by Lennox Lewis when he retired. Klitschko was ranked No. 1 going in, Sanders No. 2. Toney is ranked No. 5 by the WBC but figures to move up just as Sanders should drop.

Curiously, Joe Mesi (No. 3) and Juan Carlos Gomez (No. 4) are somehow ranked ahead of Toney.

Another possibility, at least in the mind of Klitschko, is a rematch with Lewis, whom he fought last June at Staples Center. That fight being stopped after six rounds because of severe cuts on his face has never set well with Klitschko. He was winning on every scorecard.

Lewis, who promotes Sanders, went by Klitschko's dressing room to congratulate him late Saturday night.

``I told him I hope that we can see the second fight between Vitali Klitschko and Lennox Lewis,'' Klitschko said. ``Right now I have Lennox Lewis' title. He was a great champion and I will be happy to fight him if he makes a comeback.

``Lewis is the biggest name in boxing. He beat everybody, but he didn't beat me.''

Klitschko was asked what Lewis' response was to his request for a rematch.

``He wished me all the best,'' Klitschko said.

Patience was a virtue for Klitschko on Saturday. He said he also will be patient when determining his next opponent. Even when the new rankings are released, Klitschko will have a year before he must fight whoever is named the No. 1 challenger.

He could fight other challengers in the interim.

``Let's see what happens in the next few months,'' Klitschko said. ``I am going to take a break for the Olympics, and then we'll see.''

There is one other name we have yet to mention. Of course, that is former champion Mike Tyson, who is ranked No. 8 by the WBC.

Like it or not, Tyson still sells.

``It would be great to fight Iron Mike,'' Klitschko said.

--Sanders should retire: The 17,320 in attendance Saturday were treated to a show of rare courage by Sanders. He absorbed a tremendous amount of punishment from the fifth round until the fight was stopped. That he never went down was astounding.

That said, Sanders is 38 and should retire not just because of his age. Unlike many boxers, Sanders has another professional sport - golf - he can play and play well even as he nears 40.

He also can play the seniors tour when he comes of age. Why stay around boxing another year or two and end up just cuckoo enough to ruin what could be a money-making career in golf?

--Diaz-Jauregui set: Javier Jauregui will defend his IBF lightweight belt against No. 1 contender Julio Diaz on May 13 at the Sycuan Casino & Resort in El Cajon.

The Golden Boy Promotions card will be televised by HBO Latino.

--Thursday night fights: Fernando Montiel will take on Samuel Lopez in the 10-round super flyweight main event Thursday night at the Laredo Entertainment Center in Laredo, Texas.

Michael Anchondo will square off with Anthony Mora in the junior lightweight semi-main event.

HBO Latino also will televise this Golden Boy Promotions card.

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In knocking out Corrie Sanders to claim the World Boxing Council title Saturday night, Vitali Klitschko showed he's the only legitimate heavyweight champion.

Gene Blevins/Special to the Daily News