Wladimir Klitschko

Wladimir Klitschko Володи́мир Кличко́
Klitschko in 2010
Statistics
Real name	Volodymyr Volodymyrovych Klychko
Nickname(s)	Dr. Steelhammer
Rated at	Heavyweight
Height	198 cm (6 ft 6 in)[1][2]
Reach	206 cm (81 in)
Nationality	Ukrainian
Born	(1976-03-25) 25 March 1976 Semipalatinsk, Kazakh SSR, Soviet Union (now Semey, Kazakhstan)
Stance	Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights	68
Wins	64
Wins by KO	53
Losses	4
Medal record Men's boxing Competitor for  Ukraine Olympic Games 1996 Atlanta Super heavyweight European Amateur Championships 1996 Vejle Super heavyweight Junior European Amateur Championships 1993 Saloniki Heavyweight Military World Amateur Championships 1995 Ariccia Heavyweight Junior World Amateur Championships 1994 Turkey Heavyweight

Wladimir Klitschko^[3] (Ukrainian: Володи́мир Володи́мирович Кличко́ Volodymyr Volodymyrovych Klychko; born 25 March 1976) is a Ukrainian professional boxer who competes as a heavyweight. He is a former world champion of four sanctioning bodies, holding the titles of the WBA, IBF, WBO, and IBO, and was recognized by boxing publication The Ring magazine as its world heavyweight champion. A highly strategic boxer, Klitschko is considered to be one of the greatest heavyweight champions of all time,^[4] and is also thought to be among the hardest punching knockout artists in the history of the division,^[5] with his strong jab, straight right hand and left hook being his best weapons.^[6]

Klitschko won a gold medal at the 1996 Olympics and has held a portion of the world heavyweight championship since 2006, when he defeated Chris Byrd to win the IBF and IBO titles. He won the WBO title by defeating Sultan Ibragimov in 2008, was awarded The Ring title following his defeat of Ruslan Chagaev in 2009, and won the WBA title from David Haye in 2011. Until his defeat by Tyson Fury in 2015, Klitschko was also recognized as champion by the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board, and considered by many to be the lineal heavyweight champion. He was also recognized by the WBA as one of its "Super Champions", a distinction given to boxers who hold that title in addition to those by other sanctioning bodies in the same division.

Overall, he became the second longest reigning heavyweight champion of all time, and has the second most successful title defenses total of any heavyweight boxer with 23 (including his initial reign as WBO champion), behind Joe Louis (25) and ahead of Larry Holmes (20) and Muhammad Ali (19). On 14 September 2015, BoxRec rated Klitschko as the number one fighter in the world, pound for pound. On 15 November 2014, he reached a career peak of number two on The Ring's pound for pound list. Klitschko has fought in 28 heavyweight title fights, more than any heavyweight champion in the sport's history. He also holds the record of having defeated the most boxers with an undefeated record, at 12.

Early life

Klitschko was born in Semipalatinsk, Kazakh SSR (now Semey, Kazakhstan).^[7][8][9] His father, Vladimir Rodionovich Klitschko (1947–2011), was a Soviet Air Force major general and a military attaché of Ukraine in Germany; he was also one of the commanders in charge of cleaning up the effects of the Chernobyl disaster in 1986 and was afterward diagnosed with cancer. Wladimir's mother is Nadezhda Ulyanovna. He is the younger brother of former WBC, WBO and Ring magazine heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko, the current Mayor of Kiev.^[10]

In the middle of 1996, Klitschko finished his studies at Pereyaslav-Khmelnitsky Pedagogical Institute (Ukraine) and was accepted in the postgraduate study program of Kiev University. On 18 January 2001, in a conference hall of Kiev University of physical science and sports, Klitschko presented his doctoral dissertation and was awarded a PhD in Sports Science. In addition to Ukrainian, Klitschko also speaks Russian, German and English.

Amateur career

In the early 1990s, Klitschko was coached in Poland's Gwardia Warszawa boxing club, where, according to Jerzy Kulej, "He and his brother used to demolish our boys."^[11] In 1993, he won the Junior European Championships as a heavyweight. In 1994, he received 2nd place at the Junior World Championships in Istanbul, Turkey. In 1995, he won the gold medal at the Military Championships in Ariccia, Italy, defeating Luan Krasniqi, who he had lost to in the third round of the World Championships in Berlin, Germany earlier that year. In 1996, he captured 2nd place as a Super Heavyweight at the European Championships in Vejle, Denmark. He had an amateur record of 134–6.

Known as "Dr. Steelhammer", he first achieved world attention at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia. He defeated Paea Wolfgramm to win the Super-Heavyweight gold medal. He is announced as "Dr. Steelhammer," a nickname similar to his brother, Vitali, who goes by "Dr. Ironfist." Both brothers hold PhDs.

Professional career

Klitschko turned professional with Universum Box-Promotion in Hamburg under the tutelage of Fritz Sdunek, often being featured on fight cards alongside his elder brother Vitali. After building an undefeated record of 24–0 with 22 KO's, he suffered his first loss to 24–13–1 journeyman Ross Puritty, in what was Klitschko's first and only professional fight in his native Ukraine. Klitschko controlled the majority of the bout, landing hard shots on his iron chinned opponent at a much higher pace than he usually fights at, but Purrity was able to hang in there despite the punishment. Klitschko began to tire in the latter rounds and paid for it in the tenth round when Puritty knocked him down. In the eleventh round Purrity came in gunning for the knockout.

As the American punched away, Wladimir's coach, Fritz Sdunek, jumped into the ring and stopped the fight, much to the dismay of Klitschko, who was ahead on the scorecards. On 18 March 2000, Wladimir fought Paea Wolfgramm, whom he fought previously in the 1996 Super Heavyweight Olympic Finals. In their professional rematch, Klitschko knocked Wolfgramm out in the first round.

Klitschko vs. Byrd & 5 title defenses

On 14 October 2000, in Cologne, Germany's Kölnarena, Klitschko won the WBO Heavyweight Championship from American Chris Byrd by a wide unanimous decision by scores of: 120–106, 119–107 and 118–108, flooring his opponent twice. Byrd had previously upset his elder brother Vitali (who pulled out injured during their bout). Klitschko registered five successful title defenses, all by TKO over: Derrick Jefferson, Charles Shufford, former IBF champion Frans Botha, former WBO champion Ray Mercer and Jameel McCline.

Klitschko vs. Sanders & Brewster

Klitschko suffered an upset TKO loss to Corrie Sanders on 8 March 2003 in Hannover, Germany. Sanders dropped Klitschko twice in the opening round and scored two more knockdowns in the second round before the bout was stopped by the official. The fight was named The Ring magazine Upset of the Year for 2003.

After winning two minor bouts in Germany and enlisting the services of legendary boxing trainer Emanuel Steward, Klitschko again fought for the vacated WBO title on 10 April 2004, in Las Vegas, against Lamon Brewster. Klitschko sent Brewster to the canvas in the fourth round; however, things turned around in the fifth when Brewster's punches began backing him up. Not defending himself and leaning into ropes for support, Klitschko took a standing eight count. On unsteady legs, Klitschko fell to the canvas after the bell and the referee stopped the fight for his safety.

Klitschko vs. Williamson, Castillo & Peter

Following his loss to Brewster, Klitschko began his journey back towards the top of the heavyweight division. First, he defeated DaVarryl Williamson by technical decision. The fight was stopped due to a Klitschko cut caused by an accidental headbutt. He then knocked out undefeated Cuban contender Eliseo Castillo. Klitschko then signed to fight undefeated power puncher Samuel Peter in an IBF and WBO eliminator. The much anticipated bout proved to be hugely entertaining. It went some way towards redeeming Klitschko in the heavyweight division. Though Peter scored three knockdowns (two in round 5, one in round 10) Klitschko withstood the Nigerian's power and went on to outbox Peter for the majority of the rounds.

Klitschko vs. Byrd II, Brock & Austin

On 22 April 2006, in Mannheim, Germany, Klitschko defeated Chris Byrd for a second time, this time by technical knockout, in a contest for the IBF and IBO Heavyweight Championships. Referee Wayne Kelly stopped the fight in the seventh round after a knockdown. Byrd beat the count, but his face was battered and bloody, and the fight was waved off.

He returned in November, facing arguably the fastest rising contender, undefeated Calvin Brock at Madison Square Garden. At first Wladimir had difficulties reaching the awkward Brock. After four rounds Harold Lederman had it even at 38–38. However, from the fifth round onward, Klitschko became more active and his jab became a factor while Brock became more flat-footed, leaving him easier to hit. Brock was floored in the seventh round, although he barely beat the count, Referee Kelly felt he was in no condition to continue. Klitschko then defeated mandatory challenger Ray Austin on 10 March 2007, at the SAP Arena in Mannheim, Germany by a second-round knockout with four consecutive left hooks to Austin's head. Klitschko did not use his right hand once during the fight, doing all his work with his left jab and left hook.

Klitschko vs. Brewster II, Ibragimov & Thompson

Klitschko then avenged one of his previous losses as he defeated Lamon Brewster on 7 July 2007, in Cologne, Germany. Brewster's corner asked the referee to stop the fight at the end of the sixth round. It was later revealed that Klitschko fought most of the fight with a broken middle finger on his left hand.

Klitschko defeated WBO Heavyweight Champion Sultan Ibragimov at Madison Square Garden in New York City on 23 February 2008 to unify the IBF, IBO and WBO Heavyweight titles. The Klitschko-Ibragimov fight was the first heavyweight unification since Holyfield-Lewis in 1999. The unification clash with Ibragimov proved to be a huge disappointment for fans. Klitschko was very dominant from the first bell. He backed Ibragimov into a corner and proceeded to push down Ibragimov's glove with his left hand so he could not throw a punch. Though Klitschko won every single round, the crowd in New York began booing after the second round. The boos and jeers increased as the fight progressed in the same fashion. Ibragimov's corner was almost silent from the sixth round onwards, unable to give their man any meaningful advice.

On 12 July 2008, at the Color Line Arena in Hamburg, Klitschko faced mandatory challenger Tony Thompson, in a good action fight. Klitschko controlled the fight with his jab and right hand; Thompson had his moments but was outworked and out skilled for the majority of the rounds. Klitschko floored Thompson with a right hand in the 11th round and Thompson didn't beat the count.

Klitschko vs. Rahman, Chagaev & Chambers

Klitschko was scheduled to defend his titles against Alexander Povetkin later in 2008,^[12] but on 25 October, Povetkin withdrew from the fight due to an ankle injury. Instead, Klitschko faced Hasim Rahman on 13 December 2008 and won by TKO. This was the third time Klitschko fought at the SAP Arena in Mannheim, Germany. He dominated the fight, winning every round while making good use of his left jab. From the first bell the difference in physical strength was profound. Rahman seemed unable to withstand Klitschko's punch power. The referee finally called a stop to the one-sided contest in the 7th round after Rahman failed to respond to a series of good shots.

Klitschko was scheduled to face David Haye, who pulled out within weeks of the fight complaining of a back injury. Salvaging the 20 June 2009 date and venue, Klitschko instead retained the IBF, WBO and IBO Heavyweight titles and also won the vacant Ring Magazine heavyweight title by defeating replacement opponent and Ring No. 3 ranked Ruslan Chagaev when Chagaev retired after an onslaught of punches towards the end of the ninth round. As Chagaev was WBA Champion, the title was not on the line.

Klitschko's win over Chagaev was seen as one of his most impressive performances in the ring. He controlled the tempo of the fight from the very beginning and hit Chagaev at will with the jab. He hit Chagaev with several hard right crosses and never allowed him to build momentum. Towards the end of the second round Klitschko caught Chagaev off-balance and sent him to the canvas. Chagaev recovered but was dominated thereafter. This win had added significance because even though the WBA title was not on the line, many saw Klitschko as the rightful champion.

On 9 December 2009, Klitschko's management group, K2 Promotions confirmed that a bout with Eddie Chambers has been agreed to take place in Germany on 20 March 2010. This mandatory title defense, originally scheduled for December 2009 had to be delayed due to a hand injury that Klitschko sustained in training that required surgery.

Klitschko defeated Chambers by knockout five seconds before the end of the final round.^[13] He was criticized between rounds by his trainer Emanuel Steward for not fighting aggressively enough and began punching more often during the final round than he had done before which eventually led to his left hook hitting Chambers to the forehead. The punch made Chambers fall forwards and lost consciousness for an extended period of time. The referee stepped in and called an end to the contest instantly.

Klitschko vs. Peter II

Following the match with Chambers, a unification fight between Klitschko and David Haye, who, as of May 2009, had held the WBA title, appeared to be in the offing. Klitschko called out the Briton on YouTube in April 2010, stating, "I want to send this message to boxing fans and directly to David Haye. David, you've bitched out on fighting both Klitschko brothers twice already and now's the time to make it happen. On behalf of the boxing fans around the world, I am officially calling you out to fight me. You can't run away from me forever and you need to follow through with this fight if you want to be respected. I'm ready. What're you waiting for?"^[14][15]

Haye's trainer, Adam Booth, indicated that Haye would be willing to accept the challenge.^[16] Both sides began negotiations for a potential fight and the bout was targeted for September.^[17] As the negotiations continued to move forward,^[18] the unification fight between Klitschko and Haye was expected to take place in Germany rather than England.^[19][20] The IBF set a deadline to end negotiations on 17 May. A few days before the deadline to make the unification bout, Haye said he was interested in fighting the older Klitschko, Vitali, rather than Wladimir.^[21] The fight did not materialize and Klitschko was set to take on mandatory challenger Alexander Povetkin. On 17 May 2010, the 30-day period of negotiation began for Klitschko to defend his championship against Povetkin.^[22] Within this period, discussions to make a fight with Haye were still ongoing.^[23]

The bout between Klitschko and Povetkin was initially tentatively scheduled to take place in Frankfurt, Hessen, Germany, on 11 September 2010. In July 2010, it was confirmed that the bout would be taking place in Frankfurt.^[24] However, Povetkin, under trainer Teddy Atlas, backed out of the $2 million purse fight. Samuel Peter replaced Povetkin for the scheduled fight. Klitschko faced Peter for a second time, as they had fought in 2005 previously. Peter fought Klitschko on 11 September 2010, for the Ukrainian's IBF, WBO and IBO Heavyweight titles. Klitschko won again, by knocking out Peter in the 10th round.^[25][26] Peter weighed in at 241 pounds, two pounds lighter than their first fight. Klitschko came in at a career heavy of 247 pounds. Both fighters had promised knockouts in the pre-fight build up. Peter started the fight very aggressively and caught Klitschko with a good left hook in the opening minute, although Klitschko ended the round well. Peter was caught with three hard right-hands in the second round, one of which seemed to stun him. Peter tried to duck under the Klitschko jab, but was being tied up on the inside. After four rounds, the fight became one-sided in Klitschko's favour. Peter's right eye was closing and he was taking heavy punishment. After the ninth round, Peter's trainer Abel Sanchez said he would give him one more round. Emmanuel Steward also implored Klitschko to be more aggressive. Peter swung wildly in the tenth and Klitschko put him down with a concussive combination. Referee Robert Byrd did not start a count and waved the fight off, awarding Klitschko the win by knockout. Klitschko, however, was set to fight Dereck Chisora on 11 December, but the fight was later called off on 8 December due to Klitschko tearing a muscle in his abdomen.^[27][28]

Klitschko vs. Haye

On 5 January 2011, it was announced that Dereck Chisora would get his fight with Klitschko. This enraged David Haye's trainer Adam Booth, who described the move as a "disgrace" on a heated live phone-in with Sky Sports News. Booth alleged Haye had met every single one of Klitschko's demands.^[29] The fight against Dereck Chisora was rescheduled for 30 April 2011 and was going to take place in SAP Arena, Mannheim.^[30] However, on 4 March, it was announced that Klitschko had pulled out of the fight due to not being fully recovered from a torn abdominal muscle. On 5 March, it was instead announced that the highly anticipated fight against David Haye would take place on 2 July 2011.^[31] The fight was contingent on Klitschko's recovery from a torn abdominal muscle injury. The contract was written so that if Klitschko was not fully healed, then Haye would fight his brother, Vitali.^[32]

Klitschko fought David Haye in a heavyweight unification fight for the WBA (Super), WBO, IBF, IBO and The Ring Heavyweight titles. The fight took place at the Imtech Arena, Hamburg, Germany on 2 July 2011.^[33][34][35] Klitschko dominated the fight, statistically outlanding Haye nearly 2 to 1. Haye revealed afterwards that he had a broken toe. Klitschko won by unanimous decision.^[36]

After winning the WBA title, all of the major Heavyweight titles were in the hands of the Klitschko family. Wladimir and Vitali became the first and only pair of brothers to hold all of the heavyweight titles simultaneously.^[37]

Klitschko vs. Mormeck, Thompson II & Wach

On 6 October 2011, Klitschko announced his next fight. It was originally to be on 10 December 2011 against the former two time unified World Cruiserweight Champion, French Jean-Marc Mormeck. The fight would have taken place at Esprit Arena, Düsseldorf.^[38] It was to be Wladimir's first title defense of the WBA (Super) belt, he won against David Haye. The fight was billed Alle Gürtel. Ein Champion. (All belts. One Champion).^[39] However, on 5 December 2011, the fight was cancelled because Wladimir checked into a hospital to have a kidney stone removed. After the removal operation he suffered from fever and inflammation.^[40] The fight was rescheduled for 3 March 2012, with Wladimir Klitschko knocking out Jean-Marc Mormeck in the fourth round. On 7 July, he faced Tony Thompson in a rematch in Stade de Suisse Wankdorf, Bern, Switzerland. Tony Thompson had been named as Wladimir Klitschko's mandatory defense by the IBF.^[41]

On 7 July 2012, Klitschko faced Tony Thompson for a second time who had worked his way into a mandatory position. Klitschko stopped Thompson in the sixth round after putting him to the canvas with flush right hand shot. It was his 12th consecutive title defense, the 3rd most in heavyweight history.^[42]

Klitschko defended his belts in Hamburg on 10 November 2012 via one sided unanimous decision. His opponent for the fight was former undefeated 27–0 (15 KO) polish contender Mariusz Wach. The fight with Wach was the first time in his 16-year pro career he had faced an opponent taller than himself.^[43] At 2.02 metres tall, with a reach of 2.08 metres and weighing 251 pounds, the Kraków-born Wach, who is based in the United States, is 4 centimetres taller than Klitschko with a reach two centimeters longer.^[44] The fight with Wach was the first fight under Johnathon Banks' coaching.^[45]

Klitschko vs. Pianeta, Povetkin & Leapai

At the end of 2012, the World Boxing Association ordered its super-champion Klitschko to fight WBA regular-champion Alexander Povetkin of Russia by 24 February 2013,^[46] but the two sides couldn't reach an agreement.^[47] WBA let Klitschko have another voluntary title defence before taking on Povetkin, but there should have been a signed contract with Povetkin before 28 February, with a new deadline for their bout no later than 31 July.^[48][49][50]

Klitschko took on another undefeated contender, Italian Francesco Pianeta, on 4 May. From the start, he systematically broke down the Italian, consistently landing flush straight right hand shots. He dropped Pianeta with a right hand in round four, a left hand put Pianeta down in the fifth; the fight ended at 2:52 in round six when Klitschko put Pianeta down for the third time.

Klitschko vs. Povetkin took place in October 2013, his third undefeated consecutive opponent. The bout was marred with over 160 clinches, most initiated by Klitschko, followed by several repeated roughhouse tactics throughout the match against Povetkin. This included leaning on his opponent and pushing his head down and throwing Povetkin to the canvas, which resulted in the referee scoring some as knockdowns. Klitschko won by unanimous decision scoring a knockdown in round 2 from a flush jab, and 3 knockdowns in round 7 including one prompted from a big right uppercut. All 3 judges scored it 119–104 on the scorecards.

In his next fight, Klitschko defended his titles against WBO mandatory challenger Alex Leapai^[51] on 26 April 2014 in Germany.^[52] He knocked Leapai down three times, and referee Eddie Cotton stopped the fight with fifty-five seconds remaining in the fifth round.

Klitschko vs. Pulev & Jennings

On 15 November 2014 he faced undefeated Bulgarian Kubrat Pulev for the IBF title in Hamburg. Klitschko knocked Pulev down twice in the first round and once in the third round, before knocking Pulev out on a thunderous left hook to end the match.^[53]

He then faced undefeated American heavyweight Bryant Jennings on April 25, 2015 at Madison Square Garden, defending his WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, IBO and The Ring heavyweight titles. He defeated Jennings by effective use of his jab and nullifying Jennings' offensive game on the inside, especially by holding Jennings, which resulted in the referee deducting a point in the 10th round for excessive holding, although Klitschko did end up winning via unanimous decision with scores of 116–111, 116–111, 118–109.^[54]

Klitschko vs. Fury I & II

Klitschko was scheduled to take on undefeated heavyweight contender Tyson Fury, the WBO mandatory challenger, on 24 October 2015 in an unprecedented 28th heavyweight world title appearance. On 25 September 2015, Klitschko postponed the fight, citing a calf injury. It was rescheduled for Saturday, November 28, 2015.^[55] Klitschko lost the fight by unanimous decision, with scores of 116–111, 115–112 and 115–112 all in favor of Fury.^[56] They are scheduled to meet again in the ring in the first half of 2016.

Other interests

Klitschko appeared with Lennox Lewis in the motion picture Ocean's Eleven. He is an avid chess player, kitesurfer, golfer and humanitarian. Both Klitschko brothers have been involved in charitable activities dedicated to supporting the needs of children around the world. Both brothers have formed their own charities that contribute to children in need in Africa and South America. They won humanitarian awards for their "Sport for Good" projects in 2002 and 2007. In 2002, the Klitschko brothers announced that they had agreed to work specifically for UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization), which supports more than 180 projects in 87 countries.

Klitschko is also a passionate golfer and was seen playing in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in Scotland. The tournament was played over three courses in 2008 including St Andrews, Carnoustie, and Kingsbarns in Fife and Angus. Klitschko was named curator of the Ukrainian pavilion at the 2009 Venice Biennale.^[57] Klitschko starred in the music video for Chris Cornell's song "Part of Me" in 2008, alongside rising dancer Carlos Kerr Jr. and Method Man.

Personal life

In 2009, Klitschko began dating American actress Hayden Panettiere.^[58] Panettiere has appeared ringside at some of Klitschko's fights, including at Klitschko's 10th round KO victory over Samuel Peter.^[59] The couple broke up in May 2011, but as of April 2013 had rekindled their relationship.^[58][60] In October 2013, Panettiere confirmed that she and Klitschko are engaged,^[61] which had been rumoured since the summer.^[62] On 6 December 2013, Klitschko and his fiancée Hayden Panettiere visited the Euromaidan-protests in Kiev.^[63] His brother Vitali was one of the leading figures of these protests.^[64][65] He and his fiancée addressed the crowds.^[66] In late 2014, Panettiere and Klitschko welcomed their first child together, a daughter named Kaya.^[67]

Some media reported that Klitschko had been previously dating Yvonne Catterfeld;^[68] the relationship was played up in German comedies Keinohrhasen and Zweiohrküken. After Wladimir's photo session^[69] held for Vanity Fair magazine with Karolína Kurková, she claimed to have a romantic relationship with the boxer.^[70]

Klitschko speaks four languages: Ukrainian, Russian, English and German.^[71]

Klitschko was friends with the deceased German heavyweight legend Max Schmeling.^[71]

On 29 March 2012, during a charitable auction in Kiev, Ukraine, Wladimir auctioned off his 1996 Olympic gold medal to a buyer who bid $1 million. Klitschko said he would use the money to help the dreams of hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian children. After the sale, the buyer immediately returned the medal out of respect for Wladimir and because he wanted it to remain with the Klitschko family.^[72][73]

Professional boxing record

68 fights, 64 wins (53 knockouts, 2 disqualifications), 4 losses (3 knockouts)[7]
No.	Result	Record	Opponent	Type	Round, time	Date	Location	Notes
69	N/A	N/A	Tyson Fury	N/A	– (12)	2016		For WBO, IBO, WBA (Super), The Ring and lineal heavyweight titles
68	Loss	64–4	Tyson Fury	UD	12	28 Nov 2015	Esprit Arena, Düsseldorf, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany	Lost IBF, WBO, IBO, WBA (Super), The Ring and lineal heavyweight titles
67	Win	64–3	Bryant Jennings	UD	12	25 Apr 2015	Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US	Retained IBF, WBO, IBO, WBA (Super), The Ring and lineal heavyweight titles
66	Win	63–3	Kubrat Pulev	KO	5 (12), 2:11	15 Nov 2014	O2 World, Hamburg, Germany	Retained IBF, WBO, IBO, WBA (Super), The Ring and lineal heavyweight titles
65	Win	62–3	Alex Leapai	TKO	5 (12), 2:05	26 Apr 2014	König Pilsener Arena, Oberhausen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany	Retained IBF, WBO, IBO, WBA (Super), The Ring and lineal heavyweight titles
64	Win	61–3	Alexander Povetkin	UD	12	5 Oct 2013	Olympic Stadium, Moscow, Russia	Retained IBF, WBO, IBO, WBA (Super), The Ring and lineal heavyweight titles
63	Win	60–3	Francesco Pianeta	TKO	6 (12), 2:52	4 May 2013	SAP Arena, Mannheim, Baden-Württemberg, Germany	Retained IBF, WBO, IBO, WBA (Super), The Ring and lineal heavyweight titles
62	Win	59–3	Mariusz Wach	UD	12	10 Nov 2012	O2 World, Hamburg, Germany	Retained IBF, WBO, IBO, WBA (Super), The Ring and lineal heavyweight titles
61	Win	58–3	Tony Thompson	TKO	6 (12), 1:12	7 Jul 2012	Stade de Suisse, Bern, Switzerland	Retained IBF, WBO, IBO, WBA (Super), The Ring and lineal heavyweight titles
60	Win	57–3	Jean-Marc Mormeck	KO	4 (12), 1:12	3 Mar 2012	Esprit Arena, Düsseldorf, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany	Retained IBF, WBO, IBO, WBA (Super), The Ring and lineal heavyweight titles
59	Win	56–3	David Haye	UD	12	2 Jul 2011	Imtech Arena, Hamburg, Germany	Won WBA (Super) heavyweight title Retained IBF, WBO, IBO, WBA (Super), The Ring and lineal heavyweight titles
58	Win	55–3	Samuel Peter	KO	10 (12), 1:22	11 Sep 2010	Commerzbank-Arena, Frankfurt, Hesse, Germany	Retained IBF, WBO, IBO, The Ring and lineal heavyweight titles
57	Win	54–3	Eddie Chambers	KO	12 (12), 2:55	20 Mar 2010	Esprit Arena, Düsseldorf, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany	Retained IBF, WBO, IBO, The Ring and lineal heavyweight titles
56	Win	53–3	Ruslan Chagaev	RTD	9 (12), 3:00	20 Jun 2009	Veltins-Arena, Gelsenkirchen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany	Won vacant The Ring and lineal heavyweight titles Retained IBF, WBO and IBO heavyweight titles
55	Win	52–3	Hasim Rahman	TKO	7 (12), 0:44	13 Dec 2008	SAP Arena, Mannheim, Baden-Württemberg, Germany	Retained IBF, WBO and IBO heavyweight titles
54	Win	51–3	Tony Thompson	KO	11 (12), 1:38	12 Jul 2008	Color Line Arena, Hamburg, Germany	Retained IBF, WBO and IBO heavyweight titles
53	Win	50–3	Sultan Ibragimov	UD	12	23 Feb 2008	Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US	Won WBO heavyweight title Retained IBF and IBO heavyweight titles
52	Win	49–3	Lamon Brewster	RTD	6 (12), 3:00	7 Jul 2007	Kölnarena, Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany	Retained IBF and IBO heavyweight titles
51	Win	48–3	Ray Austin	KO	2 (12), 1:23	10 Mar 2007	SAP Arena, Mannheim, Baden-Württemberg, Germany	Retained IBF and IBO heavyweight titles
50	Win	47–3	Calvin Brock	TKO	7 (12), 2:10	11 Nov 2006	Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US	Retained IBF and IBO heavyweight titles
49	Win	46–3	Chris Byrd	TKO	7 (12), 0:41	22 Apr 2006	SAP Arena, Mannheim, Baden-Württemberg, Germany	Won IBF and vacant IBO heavyweight titles
48	Win	45–3	Samuel Peter	UD	12	24 Sep 2005	Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US	Won NABF and vacant WBO–NABO heavyweight titles IBF and WBO heavyweight title eliminators
47	Win	44–3	Eliseo Castillo	TKO	4 (10), 2:51	23 Apr 2005	Westfalenhallen, Dortmund, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
46	Win	43–3	DaVarryl Williamson	STD	5 (10), 3:00	2 Oct 2004	Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada, US	Ruled a split technical decision due to Klitschko sustaining a cut from an accidental head clash
45	Loss	42–3	Lamon Brewster	TKO	5 (12), 3:00	10 Apr 2004	Mandalay Bay Events Center, Las Vegas, Nevada, US	For vacant WBO Heavyweight title.
44	Win	42–2	Danell Nicholson	TKO	4 (12), 1:44	20 Dec 2003	Ostseehalle, Kiel, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany	Retained WBA Inter-Continental heavyweight title
43	Win	41–2	Fabio Eduardo Moli	KO	1 (12), 1:49	30 Aug 2003	Olympiahalle, Munich, Bavaria, Germany	Won vacant WBA Inter-Continental heavyweight title
42	Loss	40–2	Corrie Sanders	TKO	2 (12), 0:27	8 Mar 2003	Preussag Arena, Hanover, Lower Saxony, Germany	Lost WBO heavyweight title
41	Win	40–1	Jameel McCline	RTD	10 (12), 3:00	7 Dec 2002	Mandalay Bay Events Center, Las Vegas, Nevada, US	Retained WBO heavyweight title
40	Win	39–1	Ray Mercer	TKO	6 (12), 1:08	29 Jun 2002	Trump Taj Mahal, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US	Retained WBO heavyweight title
39	Win	38–1	Francois Botha	TKO	8 (12), 0:47	16 Mar 2002	Hanns-Martin-Schleyer-Halle, Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, Germany	Retained WBO heavyweight title
38	Win	37–1	Charles Shufford	TKO	6 (12), 2:55	4 Aug 2001	Mandalay Bay Events Center, Las Vegas, Nevada, US	Retained WBO heavyweight title
37	Win	36–1	Derrick Jefferson	TKO	2 (12), 2:09	24 Mar 2001	Rudi-Sedlmayer-Halle, Munich, Bavaria, Germany	Retained WBO heavyweight title
36	Win	35–1	Chris Byrd	UD	12	14 Oct 2000	Kölnarena, Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany	Won WBO heavyweight title
35	Win	34–1	Monte Barrett	TKO	7 (10), 2:40	15 Jul 2000	London Arena, London, England
34	Win	33–1	David Bostice	TKO	2 (12), 1:27	29 Apr 2000	Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US	Retained WBA Inter-Continental heavyweight title
33	Win	32–1	Paea Wolfgramm	KO	1 (12), 1:30	18 Mar 2000	Alsterdorfer Sporthalle, Hamburg, Germany	Won vacant WBC International heavyweight title
32	Win	31–1	Lajos Eros	KO	2 (12), 2:35	4 Dec 1999	Stadionsporthalle, Hanover, Lower Saxony, Germany	Retained WBA Inter-Continental and European heavyweight titles
31	Win	30–1	Phil Jackson	KO	2 (10), 1:59	12 Nov 1999	The Orleans Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, US
30	Win	29–1	Axel Schulz	TKO	8 (12), 2:42	25 Sep 1999	Kölnarena, Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany	Won vacant European heavyweight title Retained WBA Inter-Continental heavyweight title
29	Win	28–1	Joseph Chingangu	RTD	4 (12), 3:00	17 Jul 1999	Philips Halle, Düsseldorf, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany	Won vacant WBA Inter-Continental heavyweight title
28	Win	27–1	Tony LaRosa	TKO	1 (10), 2:57	22 May 1999	Sport Palace, Budapest, Hungary
27	Win	26–1	Everett Martin	TKO	8 (8)	24 Apr 1999	Circus Krone, Munich, Bavaria, Germany
26	Win	25–1	Zoran Vujicic	KO	1 (8), 1:02	13 Feb 1999	Maritim Hotel, Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
25	Loss	24–1	Ross Puritty	TKO	11 (12), 0:18	5 Dec 1998	Palace of Sports, Kiev, Ukraine	Lost WBC International heavyweight title
24	Win	24–0	Donnell Wingfield	KO	1 (8)	14 Nov 1998	Circus Krone, Munich, Bavaria, Germany
23	Win	23–0	Eli Dixon	KO	3 (10), 2:26	3 Oct 1998	Prinz-Garden Halle, Augsburg, Bavaria, Germany
22	Win	22–0	Steve Pannell	KO	2 (10)	19 Sep 1998	Arena Oberhausen, Oberhausen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
21	Win	21–0	Carlos Monroe	TKO	6 (10), 2:28	6 Aug 1998	Grand Casino Avoyelles, Marksville, Louisiana, US
20	Win	20–0	Najee Shaheed	KO	1 (12)	10 Jul 1998	Circus Krone Building, Munich, Bavaria, Germany	Retained WBC International heavyweight title
19	Win	19–0	Cody Koch	KO	4 (12)	23 May 1998	Oberrheinhalle, Offenburg, Baden-Württemberg, Germany	Retained WBC International heavyweight title
18	Win	18–0	Everett Martin	TKO	8	13 Mar 1998	Sporthalle Wandsbek, Hamburg, Germany
17	Win	17–0	Marcus McIntyre	KO	3 (12)	14 Feb 1998	Maritim Hotel, Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, Germany	Won vacant WBC International heavyweight title
16	Win	16–0	Derrick Lampkins	TKO	1 (8)	20 Dec 1997	Oberrheinhalle, Offenburg, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
15	Win	15–0	Ladislav Husarik	TKO	3 (8)	13 Dec 1997	Alsterdorfer Sporthalle, Hamburg, Germany
14	Win	14–0	Jerry Halstead	TKO	2 (8)	6 Dec 1997	Stadthalle, Offenbach, Hesse, Germany
13	Win	13–0	Marcos Gonzalez	KO	2 (8)	11 Oct 1997	Stadthalle, Cottbus, Brandenburg, Germany
12	Win	12–0	James Pritchard	TKO	3 (8)	20 Sep 1997	Tivoli Eissporthalle, Aachen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
11	Win	11–0	Biko Botowamungu	DQ	5 (8), 0:02	23 Aug 1997	Maritim Hotel, Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
10	Win	10–0	Gilberto Williamson	TKO	3 (8)	12 Jul 1997	Berlethalle, Hagen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
9	Win	9–0	Salvador Maciel	KO	1 (8)	27 Jun 1997	Oberrheinhalle, Offenburg, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
8	Win	8–0	Paul Ashley	KO	2 (8), 1:25	13 Jun 1997	Arena Oberhausen, Oberhausen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
7	Win	7–0	Mark Wills	KO	1 (8), 2:58	10 May 1997	Ballsporthalle, Frankfurt, Hesse, Germany
6	Win	6–0	Mark Young	RTD	2 (6), 3:00	12 Apr 1997	Eurogress, Aachen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
5	Win	5–0	Carlos Monroe	DQ	6 (6)	15 Feb 1997	Stadthalle, Cottbus, Brandenburg, Germany
4	Win	4–0	Troy Weida	TKO	3 (6), 0:36	25 Jan 1997	Maritim Hotel, Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
3	Win	3–0	Bill Corrigan	TKO	1 (4), 1:21	21 Dec 1996	Zoological Garden, Frankfurt, Hesse, Germany
2	Win	2–0	Exum Speight	TKO	2 (4), 1:54	30 Nov 1996	Arena Nova, Wiener Neustadt, Lower Austria, Austria
1	Win	1–0	Fabian Meza	KO	1 (4), 1:35	16 Nov 1996	Sporthalle Wandsbek, Hamburg, Germany	Professional debut

Titles in boxing

Major World Titles:

• (2) WBO Heavyweight Champion (+200 lbs)
• IBF Heavyweight Champion (+200 lbs)
• WBA (Super) Heavyweight Champion (+200 lbs)

Minor World Titles:

• IBO Heavyweight Champion (+200 lbs)

The Ring Title:

• The Ring Heavyweight Champion (+200 lbs)

Regional/International Titles:

• (2) WBC International heavyweight Champion (+200 lbs)
• (2) WBA Inter-Continental heavyweight Champion (+200 lbs)
• EBU Heavyweight Champion (+200 lbs)
• NABF heavyweight Champion (+200 lbs)
• WBO NABO heavyweight Champion (+200 lbs)

Special Titles:

• WBO Heavyweight Super Champion (+200 lbs)

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Wladimir Klitschko.

• Wladimir Klitschko at the Internet Movie Database
• "The Official Site of Klitschko Brothers" (in German, English, Ukrainian, and Russian). Retrieved 28 December 2014. 
• Davy Rothbart interviews Wladimir Klitschko, Grantland.com. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
• Vladimir Klitschko Fight-by-Fight Career Record, boxing.about.com. Retrieved 28 December 2014,
• Professional boxing record for Wladimir Klitschko from BoxRec
• Klitschko movie 2011

Achievements
Preceded by Chris Byrd	WBO Heavyweight Champion 14 October 2000 – 8 March 2003	Succeeded by Corrie Sanders
	IBF Heavyweight Champion 22 April 2006 – 28 November 2015	Succeeded by Tyson Fury
Vacant Title last held by Lennox Lewis	IBO Heavyweight Champion 22 April 2006 – 28 November 2015
Preceded by Sultan Ibragimov	WBO Heavyweight Champion 23 February 2008 – 28 November 2015
Vacant Title last held by Vitali Klitschko	The Ring Heavyweight Champion 20 June 2009 – 28 November 2015
New title Titles unified against David Haye	WBA Heavyweight Champion Super Title 2 July 2011 – 28 November 2015
Sporting positions
Vacant Title last held by Ike Ibeabuchi	WBC International Heavyweight Champion 14 February 1998 – 5 December 1998	Succeeded by Ross Puritty
Vacant Title last held by Donovan Ruddock	WBA Inter-Continental Heavyweight Champion 17 July 1999 – 10 October 2000	Vacant Title next held by Vitali Klitschko
Vacant Title last held by Vitali Klitschko	EBU Heavyweight Champion 25 September 1999 – 14 October 2000	Vacant Title next held by Vitali Klitschko
Vacant Title last held by Vitali Klitschko	WBA Inter-Continental Heavyweight Champion 30 August 2003 – 24 July 2004	Vacant Title next held by Nikolay Valuev
Vacant Title last held by DaVarryl Williamson	WBO NABO Heavyweight Champion 24 September 2005 – 18 March 2006	Vacant Title next held by Shannon Briggs
Preceded by Samuel Peter	NABF Heavyweight Champion 24 September 2005 – 22 April 2006	Vacant Title next held by Samuel Peter

Olympic Boxing Champions in Men's Super Heavyweight 1984 – 2012: over 91 kg 1984: Tyrell Biggs (USA) 1988: Lennox Lewis (CAN) 1992: Roberto Balado (CUB) 1996: Wladimir Klitschko (UKR) 2000: Audley Harrison (GBR) 2004: Aleksandr Povetkin (RUS) 2008: Roberto Cammarelle (ITA) 2012: Anthony Joshua (GBR)

Authority control WorldCat VIAF: 40300683 LCCN: n2006068979 ISNI: 0000 0001 1490 616X GND: 123987520 SUDOC: 112460453 BNF: cb166170525 (data) BNE: XX5261166