The Story about the Klitschko Brothers

Wladimir enjoyed an excellent amateur boxing career that saw him win super-heavyweight gold in the 1996 Olympics. Turning professional in that same year, “Dr Steelhammer” based himself in Germany and reeled off a string of early knockouts over underwhelming levels of opposition; the highlights being defences of his WBC Intercontinental title over American imports.

Wlad surprisingly came unstuck in a 1998 defence against veteran journeyman Ross Puritty, who managed to avoid the Klitschko firepower for long enough to put the Ukrainian to work and cause him to tire significantly. An exhausted Klitschko failed to pace himself correctly and was stopped in the 11th round.

The younger Klitschko sibling rebounded from that loss by recording victories against increasingly proficient levels of competition. His improvements culminated in a points win over WBO heavyweight champion Chris Byrd in 2000. Klitschko made some solid defences of his world title, including a Stateside mauling of the notoriously durable Ray Mercer who was battered in six rounds, which impressed American broadcasting giants HBO.

However, it all came crashing down for Wlad once again in 2003 when erratic South African southpaw Corrie Sanders caught him cold in Germany and dramatically ripped away the champion’s belt by a crushing second-round stoppage.

The rebuilding process recommenced but it was not plain sailing as Klitschko suffered another devastating loss in 2004, to Lamon Brewster. The way Wlad crumbled to the canvas, exhausted, was reminiscent of the earlier Ross Puritty fight and led critics to question whether he would ever amount to more than a mere belt holder.

Luckily for Wlad it was around this time that heavyweight kingpin Lennox Lewis was retiring from the sport and Lewis’ distinguished trainer Emanuel Steward became available. Klitschko and Steward hooked up. They negotiated a way past unbeaten Nigerian puncher Sam Peter (a fight that saw Wlad dropped three times) and the rest is history. Steward helped fix Wlad’s stamina issues and defensive shortcomings. He worked on his ability to hold and grapple when hurt, making the European an all-round better boxer.

Klitschko won the IBF heavyweight title by knocking out old victim Chris Byrd and never looked back. Klitschko embarked on a heavyweight reign that would eventually last nine years. He gained rematch revenge over Lamon Brewster in 2007. Added the WBO crown to his trophy cabinet by defeating Sultan Ibragimov in 2008. He later won the WBA ‘Super’ title from David Haye in 2011 and claimed the unbeaten records of the likes of Alexander Povetkin, Kubrat Pulev and former world champion Ruslan Chagaev. Across this period the only other major belt -the WBC title- was held by brother Vitali.

Wladimir lost his titles in 2015 to Tyson Fury and there ended his heavyweight reign. A Fury rematch was signed but never materialised. The Ukrainian had one last stab at glory in 2017 against Anthony Joshua but, despite dropping the Londoner and enjoying much success, he was stopped in the 11th round. A keen golfer, with many interests outside of boxing, Wladimir Klitschko, now aged 44, has often hinted at a return to the ring which has so far failed to occur.

His older brother Vitali, meanwhile, may not have had the talents of Wladimir but raw grit, physical strength and punching power made him one of the most feared heavyweights of his generation.

Also turning professional in 1996, off the back of a quality amateur career, the former kickboxer racked up knockout wins aplenty that led him to a 1999 shot at WBO champion Herbie Hide in London. Vitali blasted Hide away in two rounds and made two follow-up defences of his title before suffering a severe injury mid-fight against Chris Byrd in his third defence. Vitali was winning the fight but chose to retire and save his body for another day, which drew cries of “quitter” and major scepticism over his appetite for the fight game.

Those accusations were put to bed in the summer of 2003 when Klitschko accepted a fight with Lennox Lewis at short notice and showed his mettle for six rounds before he was stopped due to a grotesque cut across the eye, opened by a Lewis punch. Vitali was leading on the cards at the time of the stoppage. Ageing Lewis got the win but never boxed again.

Vitali picked up the vacant WBC title in 2004 by gaining KO revenge over Corrie Sanders, the man who had upset his brother one fight earlier. Gaining brotherly revenge was a running theme throughout the Klitschkos’ respective careers. Vitali also knocked out Ross Puritty, while Wlad twice beat Chris Byrd who had defeated Vitali via injury.

Speaking of injuries, Vitali’s WBC reign was cut short when, in 2005, a persistent knee complaint forced his retirement. Vitali returned to the ring in 2008 and reclaimed his WBC title straight away, before enjoying nine consecutive defences. Vitali hung up the gloves again in 2012 after stopping undefeated Manuel Charr. Now serving in political office in his native Ukraine, Vitali has never boxed since.

Articel by Bushu.ch