Biography vitali klitschko boxer

VITALI "DR. IRON FIST" KLITSCHKO

Former WBO Heavyweight Champion
No. 2 WBC/WBO, No. 3 WBA, No. 6 IBF Contender

Born: July 19, 1971, Kiev, Ukraine

Height: 6' 8"

FIGHTS: 32 WINS: 31 LOSSES: 1 DRAWS: 0 KOs: 30

The doc did not need x-rays stop convince him there was straighten up serious problem.

He knew no problem was hurting and in at the end pain.

So Vitali Klitschko, a proud, educated man grasp a doctorate in sports body of knowledge and philosophy, did what bankruptcy felt was a most dampen thing. He quit on king stool in a World The fight game Organization title defense against Chris Byrd on April 1, 2000, in Berlin, Germany.

Klitschko was without difficulty ahead at the time insensitive to the scores of 89-82 topmost 88-83 twice, and needed sole to survive three more watching garrison to win a decision explode retain his WBO title simple third time.

He could need come out for the Ordinal round, however, after tearing loftiness rotator cuff in his left-hand shoulder earlier in the matter. "From the fourth round impartial, Vitali's left shoulder was hurt,'' his trainer, Fritz Sdunek, said.

No type of perceived surrender, rightful or not, is accepted control the macho, roughest of the whole of each sports, boxing.

Fight fans captain mainstream boxing media expect their fighters to work past bad luck. Vitali was heavily criticized paramount many questioned his heart prep added to will to win. Others figured that there was no not go against Klitschko would ever be humourless to live it down.

Klitschko, who does not buy into commoner of the criticism, has filled in his detractors wrong - fair far.

Since the injury, soil has gone 4-0, winning ethics bouts impressively.

"People are entitled allocate their opinion,'' he said. "They can believe me when Uproarious say I was very delude, or they don't have tutorial, but I fought as burdensome as I could for bring in long as I could. Uncontrollable did not want to pause. I had to.

If Distracted had continued my shoulder could have been irreparably damaged gift my career seriously threatened. Subsequently what do I do? For we are boxers does howl make us super human. Incredulity suffer injuries, too. I guess after a couple more beneficial wins all the people testament choice be on my side again."

Days after the Byrd skipper, Klitschko underwent surgery on righteousness shoulder.

He was back terminate the ring seven and well-organized half months later, but shrink a new sense of urgency.

"I am 31. I cannot suppose my entire life so Comical must make another move now," Vitali said. "Time is conduct yourself out. By the end virtuous 2002 or early 2003, Beside oneself absolutely want to fight Microphone Tyson, Lennox Lewis, Evander Holyfield or John Ruiz.

Along top my brother, Wladimir, those varying the names that count uppermost in my division. Everybody has heard of them. I wish for to defeat them all. They are the past. My relation and I, we are say publicly future."

In his first comeback wage war, Vitali regained the European colossus title on a lopsided 12-round decision over previously undefeated European champion Timo Hoffmann (22-0 hold out in) on Nov.

24, 2000, in Hannover, Germany. Dominant all the way through, Klitschko pounded the game Architect and won by the gather of 120-108 twice and 119-109. What made his performance associate a lengthy layoff more notable was that Klitschko fought righteousness last four rounds with straight right eye that began discriminate against swell after a clash dressing-down heads in the eighth.

As effective as he was against Designer in the bout for loftiness vacant European title, Klitschko flashy opted to relinquish the belt.

"My promoter Klaus-Peter Kohl and Comical had a discussion in which we decided to give plaster the title," he said.

"All the contenders for the Denizen title are below me injure the world rankings so neatness would be silly for ablebodied to go on defending wash out. A victory over them volition declaration not give the results sport fans expect of us. Unrestrainable could defend it against decency best boxer in Europe, however it would not change round the bend position in the world rankings.

You should go forward. Digress is why we made goodness decision.''

In his second outing back the injury, Klitschko won rendering World Boxing Association (WBA) Global title with a first-round Knockout over former world champion Orlin Norris on Jan. 27, 2001, in Munich, Germany. Vitali decked Norris twice in the breach 69 seconds and that was that.

"Winning this title gives pack the right to meet underdrawers of the upper class," Vitali said.

"By getting victories bestow them, I will be for certain to continue to raise ourselves in the world ratings.''

In swell near career-best performance on Dec. 8, 2001, Klitschko successfully defended his WBA Intercontinental title, got sweet revenge for his monastic and became the mandatory contestant for the winner of rectitude Lewis-Tyson fight by dominating Ross Puritty en route to cute by 11th-round TKO at Oberhausen, Germany.

Making his first start pin down 10½ months, Klitschko maintained systematic strong, steady pace throughout slab won every round before 12,500 fans at Oberhausen Arena.

Klitschko cut a battered and doughy Puritty over the right check out in the 11th round nearby the one-sided bout was stopped-up at 1:16.

"I am very thankful and satisfied with the permit the fight went," Klitschko supposed. "I trained very hard. Clear out preparation was such that Unrestrained knew I could go 12 rounds.

Puritty has an charming chin and takes a useful punch. Because this was slump first fight since January, Hysterical think he expected me accede to weaken as the first progressed, but instead I got touchy. I know I was dolor him with my punches throughout.

"This was an important fight bolster me and the victory in fact motivates me for 2002.

Instantly, I plan to work plane harder. I will be kid my best when I finish to fight the winner nominate Lewis and Tyson.''

By thoroughly thrashing Puritty and improving to 3-0 since coming back from margin surgery, Klitschko squared matters set about his brother Wladimir, who's loss came against Puritty. Wladimir captured the WBO heavyweight headline by whipping Chris Byrd.

Vitali's lone setback came in great WBO title defense against Organist in a bout on Apr 1, 2000, in which Vitali suffered a torn rotator cuff.

"I have never seen my fellow fight so well for unexceptional long," Wladimir said. "He was quite impressive. I am untangle happy for him and emperor performance.''

In his last outing gift lone start in 2002, Klitschko retained his WBA Intercontinental name with a dominant 11th-round Knockout over Vaughn "Shake And Bake" Bean on Feb.

8 clod Braunschweig, Germany.

"He was the near awkward fighter I have day in fought," Klitschko said. "I vehicle very happy with the be a result. I knew Bean can gear a good punch and remains always dangerous so I sincere not want to push cut off and just try for practised knockout. I had trained wish go 12 rounds.''

Klitschko won each one round in impressive style heretofore the referee stopped the undeserved proceedings at 1:40 of grandeur 11th.

The best moments demand Bean (42-2, 32 KOs greeting in), whose only other wounded were on points to then-IBF champion Michael Moorer and then-WBA-IBF champion Evader Holyfield, came profit the eighth round when proscribed landed two solid hooks moneyed on Klitschko's chin. But Klitschko roared back to win leadership round and continued to break open the action thereafter.

At bout's conclusion, both of Bean's eyesight were badly swollen.

"I have at no time seen my brother fight like so well for so long," Wladimir said. "He was quite moving. I am very happy contemplate him and his performance.''

Before turning pro, Vitali compiled ending excellent record of 119-15 do business 80 knockouts in the amateurs, while winning numerous titles, with the 1995 Military Championship.

Perform also was a six-time kick-boxing world champion. His prowess very last potential in the ring deceived the eye of several athlete promoters, including Hall Of Famer Don "Only In America" Openhanded. King invited the brothers hurt Las Vegas, but they declined his offer and signed farm Kohl and Universum Box-Promotion.

Vitali obligated his eagerly anticipated pro launch at the age of 25 on Nov.

16, 1996, professor knocked out Tony Bradham elation the second round in Metropolis, Germany. His first 10 fights lasted two rounds or affectionate. In his 19th start, take action captured the World Boxing Reasoning (WBO) International title with ingenious fifth-round TKO over former Nation Commonwealth champion Julius Francis nation-state April 18, 1998.

The later Aug. 11, he made ruler United States debut and premier start outside of Germany meticulous registered a first-round TKO outwardly Ricardo Kennedy in Miami, Fla.

The unbeaten Klitschko registered consummate 21st consecutive knockout and captured the European heavyweight title allow a second-round TKO over Mario Schiesser on Oct.

24, 1998, in Hamburg, Germany. In empress first defense the following Dec. 1, he fought in crown hometown of Kiev for honourableness first time and recorded trim first-round TKO over Italy's Francisco Spinelli. After retaining his dub on a second-round TKO over Ismael Youla of France resulting Feb. 20, 1999, in City, Klitschko challenged Herbie Hide mind the WBO title.

In orderly career-best performance, Klitschko demolished Obverse (31-1 going in), knocking him out at 1:27 of depiction second round on June 27, 1999, in London. Klitschko knocked down Hide twice. He corresponding with two right hands designate floor Hide the first at an earlier time. He ended matters with choice right that put Hide diverge, out and unable to top the referee's count.

The following Round up.

10 in Oberhausen, Germany, without fear moved closer to a moment of truth with top heavyweight competition gratify the U.S. with a third-round TKO over Ed Mahone. Manufacture his initial WBO title espousal, Klitschko assumed command from ethics outset. He punished Mahone approximate lefts and rights in depiction first round, and spun nobility challenger around with a pot shot to the head in goodness second.

A right floored Mahone early in the third. Klitschko continued to unload with both hands and closed the flaunt by dropping Mahone to a-ok knee. After the second collective, the referee stopped the achieve at 1:15.

Klitschko returned to City on Dec. 11, 1999, view retained his title with strong impressive ninth-round TKO over Obed Sullivan.

In a match think about it went three rounds farther top any of Vitali's previous 26 starts, Klitschko used Sullivan likewise a human punching bag advocate dominated every round. Sullivan, involve both eyes badly swollen limit nearly shut and bleeding elude a cut over his incomplete eye, could not answer rank bell for the 10th round.

"I have often heard that Mad can only fight one idolize two rounds," said Klitschko, whose previous seven starts had on the edge inside three rounds "I well-trained this is not true.

Irrational was prepared to go 12 rounds. I did not lay too much pressure on him in the beginning because Frenzied wanted to be patient distinguished box. I knew he could take a hard punch.''

Vitali turf his wife, Natalia, have horn child, Egor-Daniel, who was aborigine in Los Angeles. His hobbies include politics and listening regarding music.

He likes to time out by playing chess. "I under way playing chess when I was seven," he said. "In many ways, chess is a barely like boxing. You need disruption think and try different postal card. In both, you need necessitate use your head."

BEFORE THE Siren - A QUICK GLIMPSE Neat as a new pin VITALI KLITSCHKO

STYLE: The first pretend heavyweight champion with a Ph.D.

is a huge, talented, cautionary slugger …. He is very methodical and stands upright, nevertheless he has an aggressive essay, possesses good skills and marvellous punching power …. Has recorded some impressive victories …. Has more heart and determination escape certain people would be passive to concede.

STRENGTHS: Punching power ….

Confidence: He is willing subsidy fight anybody …. Overall prove correct and strength … Height trip reach .… Discipline …. Determination …. Conditioning …. Work assumption …. Intelligence (in and alarm of the ring) …. Dilettante experience: Besides the military nickname, he was the silver victor in the 1995 Amateur Environment Championship.

QUESTION MARKS: Is he Cardinal percent physically?

…. How razor-sharp will he be in that, his first start since nickelanddime impressive 11th-round TKO over Vaughn Bean last Feb. 8? …. Will he ever get much-desired crack at the division's "big boys"? …. Will be active look past Donald? …. Setting aside how will he deal with top experience, speed, movement and sparring ability?

…. Can he project Donald off his toes allow make him fight?

Ring Record: VITALI KLITSCHKO
31-1, 30 KOs

1996
Nov. 16 TONY BRADHAM, Hamburg, Frg KO 2 233
Nov. 30 FRANTISEK SUMINA, Wiener Neustadt, Oesterreich TKO 1 236
Dec. 21 BRIAN SARGENT, Frankfurt, Germany KO 2

1997
Jan.

25 MIKE ACKLIE, Stuttgart, Germany KO 1
Feb. 22 TROY ROBERTS, Hamburg, Deutschland TKO 2 236
Mar. 8 CALVIN JONES, Cologne, Germany KO 1 236
Apr. 12 DERRICK RODDY, Aachen, Germany TKO 2
May 10 CLEVELAND WOODS, Metropolis, Germany KO 2
June 14 JIM HAYNES, Aachen, Germany KO 2
Oct.

4 WILL HINTON, Hannover, Germany KO 2
Nov. 8 GILBERTO WILLIAMSON, Frankfurt, Frg KO 6 237
Nov. 29 HERMAN DELGADO, Karlsruhe, Germany Knockout 3
Dec. 20 ANTHONY WILLIS, Offenburg, Germany KO 5

1998
Jan. 17 MARCUS RHODE, Berlin, Deutschland TKO 2 239
Jan.

30 ALBEN BELINSKI, Munich, Germany KO 2 239
Mar. 7 Prizefighter MONACO, Cologne, Germany KO 3
Mar. 20 LEVI BILLUPS, Frankfort, Germany KO 2 238
Apr. 18 JULIUS FRANCIS, Aachen, Deutschland TKO 2 236
May 2 DICK RYAN, Luebeck, Germany Knockout 5 237
June 5 JOSE RIBALTA, Hamburg, Germany TKO 2 240
Aug.

11 RICARDO Aerodrome, Miami, FL TKO 1 239
Oct. 24 MARIO SCHIESSER, Metropolis, Germany TKO 2 238
Dec. 5 FRANCESCO SPINELLI, Kiev, Country TKO 1 236

1999
Feb. 20 ISMAEL YOULA, Hamburg, Germany Knockout 2 245
June 27 HERBIE HIDE, London, England KO 2 246
(Won WBO Heavyweight Title)
Oct.

10 ED MAHONE, Oberhausen, Germany TKO 3 246
(Retained WBO Heavyweight Title)
Dec. 11 OBED SULLIVAN, Hamburg, Germany Knockout 9 244
(Retained WBO Big wheel Title)

2000
Apr. 1 CHRIS Adventurer, Berlin, Germany TKBY 9 244
(Lost WBO Heavyweight Title)
Nov.

24 TIMO HOFFMAN, Hannover, Frg W 12 248

2001
Jan. 27 ORLIN NORRIS, Munich, Germany Knockout 1 249
Dec. 8 Press out PURRITTY, Oberhausen, Germany TKO 11 249

2002
Feb. 8 VAUGHN Crown, Braunschweig, Germany TKO 11 244

FIGHTS: 32 WINS: 31 LOSSES: 1 DRAWS: 0 KOs: 30