Photo © Marty Rosengarten / Ringsidephotos.com - Vitali Klitschko takes on Kevin Johnson today in Switzerland.

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Michael Nelson previews today's heavyweight clash between Vitali Klitschko and Kevin Johnson.

While it remains to be seen if his bite is as vicious as his bark, if nothing else, Kevin Johnson can talk a good game.

"The whole world will be shocked when I’ve finished Vitali Klitschko in nine rounds. There are only two people in this world who could defeat me. This would have been former world heavyweight champions Larry Holmes and Muhammad Ali," Johnson said at Tuesday's presser.

As a -2000 betting favorite, Vitali is expected to shove those words down the Kingpin's throat and serve a beating as the tortuous digestion. Afterall, Dr. Ironfist's last opponent, Chris Arreola, said all the right things before he got beaten into a tearful pulp.

Arreola at least pushed Vitali harder than anyone had in the last six years. The odds suggest that Kevin can't even do that much. But the brash Atlanta, Georgia native does offer tools that Vitali's recent opponents didn't possess.

A jab

Johnson has a very fast and busy jab, in addition to a two inch reach advantage over Klitschko. Needless to say, Vitali hasn't faced a threatening jab since his loss to Lewis. Those who think this will be a walk in a park for Vitali may be surprised at how often Kevin is able to land his stick. Whether or not it'll be enough to bag rounds is another story.

Speed

Klitschko hasn't seen any real speed since his bout against Corrie Sanders in 2004. Corrie was able to tag him a number of times before folding under the duress of fatigue and Vitali's pressure. If we were to assume that Kevin is half as prepared and fit as he proclaims, it's not out of the realm of possibility that he improves upon the success that Corrie had five years ago. Say what you want about Johnson, but he has some of the quickest hands in the division.

Power?

The Kingpin has an wholly unimpressive knockout percentage of 39. But lo and behold, he's knocked out his last three opponents within six rounds, including the demolition over 2004 Olympian Devin Vargas in May. Whether it's the added muscle or a newfound determination to sit down on his punches, Johnson's speed combined with respectable pop may make him more of a threat than heavy-handed, but slower heavyweights.

Johnson's weaknesses remain clear though: his defense isn't great and he tends to take rounds off. Combined with a kiddie-pool-to-Bermuda-Triangle jump in competition, it's no wonder the odds makers essentially tabbed him as a no hoper.

So can the Kingpin defy the odds? Maybe not. But in the desolate condition the heavyweight division is in, it's hard to ask for a more intriguing opponent. And if his bite does indeed equal his bark, get ready for a colorful title reign.

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