Vitali Klitschko

Vitali Klitschko
Віта́лій Кличко́
Mayor of Kiev
Assumed office
5 June 2014
Preceded by Halyna Hereha (Acting)
Head of the Kiev City State Administration
Assumed office
25 June 2014
Preceded by Volodymyr Bondarenko
Deputy of the Kiev City Council
5th session
In office
April 2006 – June 2008
Constituency Klitschko Bloc "PORA–ROP"
6th session
In office
June 2008 – December 2012
Constituency Vitali Klitschko Bloc
People's Deputy of Ukraine
7th convocation
In office
12 December 2012 – 5 June 2014
Constituency UDAR, No.1[1]
Personal details
Born Vitali Volodymyrovych Klitschko
(1971-07-19) 19 July 1971
Belovodskoye, Kirghiz SSR, Soviet Union (now Kyrgyzstan)
Political party Ukrainian Democratic Alliance
for Reform (2010–2015)
Petro Poroshenko Bloc (2014–present)
Spouse(s) Natalia Egorova (1996–present)
Children Yegor-Daniel
Elizabeth-Victoria
Max
Alma mater Pereiaslav-Khmelnytsky Pedagogical Institute
Taras Shevchenko National
University
National University of Physical Education and Sport of Ukraine
Signature
Website Official website

Vitali Volodymyrovych Klitschko (/vɪˈtæli ˈklɪtʃkoʊ/; Ukrainian: Віта́лій Володи́мирович Кличко́, [ʋiˈtɑʎiɪ̯ klɪtʃˈkɔ]; born 19 July 1971)[2] is a Ukrainian politician and former professional boxer. He currently serves as Mayor of Kiev[3] and head of the Kiev City State Administration, having held both offices since June 2014. Klitschko is a former leader of the Petro Poroshenko Bloc[4] and a former Member of the Ukrainian Parliament.[5][6][7][8][9][10][11] He became actively involved in Ukrainian politics in 2005 and combined this with his professional boxing career until his retirement from the sport in mid-December 2013.[7][12][13]

As a boxer, Klitschko is a three-time world heavyweight champion, and has the third longest combined world championship reign in history. He held the WBO title from 1999 to 2000; the Ring magazine title from 2004 to 2005; and the WBC title twice, from 2004 to 2005 and from 2008 to 2013. Standing at 2.01 metres (6 feet 7 inches), Klitschko was renowned for having exceptional ring dominance. With an 87.23% knockout percentage, he holds one of the best knockout-to-fight ratio of any world champion in heavyweight boxing history, while also possessing a highly durable chin. His two losses came via a shoulder injury and a deep cut above his eye, both of which were recorded as stoppages rather than outright knockouts; in both fights he was leading on the judges' scorecards.

Klitschko is the only heavyweight boxer to receive the WBC honour of "Eternal champion", as he has never lost the title and successfully defended it ten times. He is also the only world heavyweight champion to have never been knocked down in any fight. Alongside George Foreman he is the only heavyweight boxer in history to defend a world title after turning 40.[14] Being the first professional boxing world champion to hold a PhD degree, and in reference to his punching power, Klitschko's nickname was "Dr. Ironfist". His younger brother, Wladimir, is a former unified world heavyweight champion. From 2006 until 2015, Vitali and Wladimir dominated heavyweight boxing, a period typically known as the "Klitschko Era" of the division.[15][16]

Klitschko formally began his political career in 2006 when he placed second in the Kiev mayoral race. In 2010, he founded the party Ukrainian Democratic Alliance for Reform (UDAR) and was elected into parliament for this party in 2012. He was a leading figure in the 2013–2014 Euromaidan protests, and he announced his possible candidacy for the Ukrainian presidency but later withdrew and endorsed Petro Poroshenko.[nb 1] He was elected Mayor of Kiev on 25 May 2014.[18] Klitschko headed the election list of the winner of the 2014 Ukrainian parliamentary election, the Petro Poroshenko Bloc, but he gave up his parliamentary seat to stay on as Mayor of Kiev.[19][20][21] On 28 August 2015 the UDAR party merged into Petro Poroshenko Bloc.[5] Klitschko thus became the new party leader.[5] Klitschko was reelected as mayor on 15 November 2015.[22]

Kickboxing and amateur boxing career (1985–1996)

Originally, Klitschko was an amateur kickboxer with a record of 34–2 with 22 knockouts .

1995 Super Heavyweight Gold Medalist at the Military World Championships in Ariccia, Italy. Results:

In 1996, he turned professional and compiled a record of 34–2 with 22 knockouts. He was a world champion six times (professional and amateur).[24]

Professional boxing career (1996–2013)

Vitali Klitschko

Klitschko with the WBC title, 2011
Statistics
Nickname(s) Dr. Ironfist
Weight(s) Heavyweight
Height 2.01 m (6 ft 7 in)[25]
Reach 203 cm (80 in)
Nationality Ukrainian
Born (1971-07-19) 19 July 1971
Belovodskoye, Kirghiz SSR, Soviet Union (now Kyrgyzstan)
Stance Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights 47
Wins 45
Wins by KO 41
Losses 2

As an amateur, Klitschko won the super-heavyweight championship at the first World Military Games in Italy in 1995. In the same year he won a silver medal at the World Championships in Berlin, Germany, where he was defeated by Russia's Alexei Lezin in the final. In his autobiography, published in Germany in 2004, the boxer revealed that he tested positive for a banned steroid in 1996. He attributed the presence of the drug to treatment of a leg injury, but was dismissed from the Ukrainian boxing team and missed the Atlanta Olympics.[26] His brother Wladimir moved up from heavyweight to super heavyweight to take his place in the squad and won the Olympic gold medal. His amateur record was 195–15 with 80 knockouts.

Klitschko vs. Hide: First Heavyweight title

Klitschko began his professional boxing career in 1996, winning his first twenty-four fights by either early knockout or technical knockout. He and Wladimir signed with the German athlete-promotion company Universum. With both brothers holding PhDs and being multilingual, their refined and articulate personalities made for mainstream marketability when they moved to Germany and Universum. In time, they became national celebrities in their adopted home country. In his 25th pro fight on 26 June 1999, Klitschko won the WBO Heavyweight title from Herbie Hide of the United Kingdom by a second-round knockout. He successfully defended the title twice. He defeated Ed Mahone by knockout in the third round and beat Obed Sullivan, who retired after the ninth round.

Klitschko vs. Byrd

By April 2000 Vitali Klitschko was unbeaten and a rising star in the heavyweight division, having won all 27 of his contests by knockout. On 1 April, Klitschko had a third title defense against the American Chris Byrd, who was a late replacement.[27] Byrd made himself a difficult target and tried to thwart Klitschko's offense by being elusive. Klitschko won most of the rounds and was heading towards a comprehensive points victory when he suffered a serious shoulder injury. After the ninth round, Klitschko notified his corner that he had a shoulder pain and threw in the towel, thus handing Klitschko his first defeat and awarding Byrd the win by RTD. At the time of the stoppage, Klitschko had won 8 of 9 rounds on one judge's scorecard, and 7 of 9 on the two others. Klitschko, who was later diagnosed with a torn rotator cuff, received much criticism for quitting the fight. Klitschko rebounded from his loss to Byrd by reeling off five victories in a row, earning himself a shot at WBC Heavyweight Champion Lennox Lewis.

Klitschko vs. Lennox Lewis

The fight between Lewis and Klitschko was to take place in December 2003, and Klitschko signed for a tune-up fight on 21 June 2003 as part of the undercard of Lewis' fight with Kirk Johnson for the IBO title, as the WBC would not sanction the fight for their title. Johnson, however, pulled out of the fight due to injury and Klitschko, due to his being in training for a fight on the same day as Lewis, took the fight on short notice. Immediately after he accepted, the WBC elected to sanction the fight as a title match and Lewis' The Ring title was also up for grabs in addition to his lineal title.

Klitschko, a 4–1 underdog, dominated the early going with many harder punches. He stunned Lewis in the second round with two hard rights, leaving a cut under on Lennox's left eye.[28] In the third, Lewis landed a big right hand that opened a deep cut above Klitschko's left eye.[28] Before the seventh round, the ringside doctor inspected the wound and deemed it severe enough to threaten eye damage if struck again, stopping the fight despite Klitschko's pleas to continue. Klitschko was ahead on all three judges' scorecards 58–56 (4 rounds to 2) at the time of the stoppage, but because the wound was a result of punches from Lewis, Lewis won by technical knockout.[28]

Negotiations for a 6 December rematch began.[29] After negotiations collapsed, Vitali defeated Kirk Johnson in a WBC Eliminator bout on 6 December date,[30] setting up a mandatory rematch with Lewis. In January 2004, the WBC announced that it would strip Lewis of the belt if he let pass a 15 March deadline to sign for a rematch with Vitali.[31] Shortly thereafter, Lewis announced his retirement and vacated the title. For years after this fight, Klitschko would still occasionally call out Lewis, despite the fact that Lewis has been retired since early 2004, for a rematch.[32]

Around this time the Klitschko brothers moved from Hamburg, Germany to Los Angeles. In January 2004 they notified Universum that they would not re-sign when their contracts expired in April. Universum sued the brothers, arguing that their recent injuries had triggered a clause binding them beyond April. The suit was ultimately resolved in favor of the Klitschkos in November 2009.[33]

Klitschko vs. Sanders: second heavyweight title

Klitschko faced South African Corrie Sanders on 24 April 2004 for the WBC heavyweight championship and The Ring belts that had been vacated by Lewis. Sanders had stopped younger brother Wladimir in the second round (TKO) on 8 March 2003. Klitschko was rocked in round one by Sanders, but by using upper-body movement and accurate punching he broke down Sanders, forcing referee Jon Schorle to stop the bout. Vitali landed 60% of his power punches.

Klitschko vs. Williams

Klitschko's first WBC title defense was against British boxer Danny Williams. Williams had become suddenly marketable from a KO over Mike Tyson in round 4. Klitschko scored a technical knockout against Williams in 8 rounds on 11 December 2004, while wearing an orange cloth to show support for the Ukrainian presidential opposition movement. Klitschko knocked Williams down in the 1st, 3rd, 7th, and 8th rounds before the fight was stopped. Immediately afterward, Klitschko dedicated his victory to democracy in his native Ukraine and also to the Ukrainian presidential candidate Viktor Yushchenko, whom he supported in 26 December 2004, election revote.[34]

Brothers Wladimir (left) and Vitali (right) Klitschko sporting the colors of the Orange Revolution.

2005–2007 retirement

On 9 November 2005, Klitschko announced his retirement from professional boxing and vacated his title. He had been training to fight Hasim Rahman, however, nine days before the fight, he injured his leg while sparring. He snapped his anterior cruciate ligament, which with surgery would take up to a year to heal and possibly prove career ending. To avoid keeping the title out of use he retired. The WBC was grateful for his consideration. On other occasions he cited regrets about his suddenly mounting injuries, a desire to leave the sport while still on top and political aspirations in his home country of Ukraine.[35] Following his retirement, the WBC conferred "champion emeritus" status on Klitschko, and assured him he would become the mandatory challenger if and when he decided to return.[36]

Klitschko vs. Peter: third heavyweight title

On 3 August 2008 the WBC awarded Klitschko a chance to regain his WBC Heavyweight title. After Vitali's retirement, his younger brother had established dominance in the division, winning two of the four world titles available. The reigning WBC Champion was Samuel Peter (who had lost a decision to Wladimir in a thrilling fight in 2005). At the time, there was interest in a potential Peter vs. Wladimir unification match. Instead, Vitali took advantage of his champion emeritus status and secured a title challenge against Peter. The fight was arranged on 11 October 2008 at O2 World, Berlin. It would be one of the most anticipated heavyweight fights in the past few years. Both men had a rightful claim to being the champion and the stakes for the future of the heavyweight division were high. Despite some questioning Vitali's decision to return after four years, he managed to regain his title in dominating fashion. Klitschko had Peter intimidated from the first round and stunned him with accurate hard punches. Klitschko kept the hard-punching Nigerian off with an effective left jab and took control in the center of the ring. Over eight rounds, Klitschko completely dismantled and outfought the younger champion. After the eighth round, Peter slumped on his stool, shook his head and asked that the bout be stopped. With the Samuel Peter victory, Klitschko technically became one of the few men to ever hold a version of the World Heavyweight Championship three times – WBO (1999–2000), WBC (2004–2005) and WBC (2008–2012).

Klitschko vs. Gómez, Arreola and Johnson

On 21 March 2009, Klitschko defeated Juan Carlos Gómez by TKO in the ninth round. Gómez tried to use his movement to thwart Vitali, but seemed unable to cope with the power and physical strength of his opponent. As the rounds progressed, Klitschko began imposing himself on Gómez more and more. Gómez soon became wary of Klitschko's power and also began to tire physically. By the sixth round, Vitali was in total control. The end came when the referee stopped the fight in the ninth round as Gómez appeared unable to withstand any more hits.

On 26 September, Klitschko earned a one-sided TKO victory over Chris Arreola at the Staples Center in Los Angeles when Arreola's trainer, Henry Ramirez, asked the referee to stop the fight.[37] Arreola was considered at the time one of the division's hardest punchers; however, Klitschko kept Arreola at bay with his left jab and hit him almost at will with his right. Arreola had been influenced by Samuel Peter's defeat to Klitschko in 2008, in which Peter had tried to box from the outside. He therefore employed a game-plan which involved applying constant pressure to Vitali in order to force him into a high tempo fight. Despite his best efforts, the bout became one sided very quickly. Klitschko consistently proved himself faster, sharper and much fitter than Arreola.

On 12 December, Vitali defeated Kevin Johnson by unanimous decision, winning almost every round. Johnson, a skillful fighter, tried to negate Klitschko's strength with angles and head movement. Though he proved hard to hit, he failed to launch any sustained attack of his own. After the Johnson bout, Klitschko's camp began negotiations for a potential fight with former WBA Champion Nikolai Valuev, but the match failed to materialize due to economic disagreements.[38][39][40][41] [42]

Klitschko vs. Sosnowski, Briggs and Solis

On 29 May 2010, Vitali Klitschko defeated Polish heavyweight contender Albert Sosnowski by KO at 2:30 in round 10 of 12. Sosnowski was knocked down by a right hand in the 10th round, prompting referee Jay Nady to immediately wave off the fight. The fight took place at Veltins Arena, Gelsenkirchen, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany.

Klitschko vs Sosnowski, 29 May 2010

Vitali Klitschko weighed in at 112 kg (247 lbs), while Sosnowski weighed in at 110 kg (242.5 lbs). This voluntary defense was Vitali's 4th defense of the WBC Heavyweight title. Sosnowski was the No. 11 ranked heavyweight according to the WBC prior to this bout. [43]

On 17 August 2010, it was announced that Klitschko would defend his WBC title against Shannon Briggs on 16 October of that year. Klitschko completely dismantled his challenger with superior hand speed. Briggs struggled to land any meaningful punches, as Klitschko won every round decisively. After a few rounds, Briggs was receiving a vicious and sustained beating which caused him serious facial injuries. Considering the beating he was receiving, there was some suggestion that the referee should have stopped the bout during the last few rounds. Klitschko had retained his belt with official scores of 120–107, 120–105, and 120–107.[44][45]

During the post-fight interview, the American boxer Briggs said: “I’ve fought George Foreman, I’ve fought Lennox Lewis, and Vitali’s the best.” While Klitschko did not knock down Briggs, the latter collapsed after the fight and was hospitalized with facial fractures and a torn biceps.

Klitschko's next fight was against mandatory challenger Odlanier Solis. The bout was tentatively scheduled for March 2011.[46] On 11 January, it was officially confirmed that the fight between Klitschko and Solis was going to take place in Cologne, Germany on 19 March 2011. The fight lasted less than one whole round, as a right hand to Solis's temple wobbled Solis, who then twisted his knee. Klitschko won by KO.[47][48]

Klitschko vs. Adamek, Chisora and Charr

Now aged 40, Klitschko retained his WBC heavyweight title against Tomasz Adamek on 10 September 2011 in Poland, winning by TKO in the 10th round. The referee stopped the bout after Adamek received punishing blows and was ruled out, as he was no longer able to defend himself.

After turning 41 on 19 July 2012, Vitali became one of the oldest Heavyweight Champions in history. Despite having a four-year hiatus from the sport, Vitali has proven to be a remarkably effective and dominant Heavyweight Champion once again. Alongside his brother Wladimir, he also fights on for their shared ambition of holding all four Heavyweight Championship belts together, an ambition that was realised on 2 July 2011 when brother Wladimir defeated David Haye to win the WBA Heavyweight Championship.

In January 2012, he was awarded WBC Fighter of the Year for 2011.[49] Klitschko was in negotiations for a possible bout with former WBA Heavyweight title holder David Haye on 3 March 2012.[50][51][52]

Vitali and his brother, Wladimir, held every major championship belt before his retirement.

After Wladimir Klitschko had to cancel his fight with Jean-Marc Mormeck, it was thought that Vitali was likely to fight on 25 February 2012.[53] Sources in Germany reported that he was likely to fight British contender Dereck Chisora on 18 February 2012 in Olympiahalle, Munich, Bayern.[54][55][56]

It was confirmed on 12 December 2011 that Dereck Chisora would be Vitali Klitschko's next opponent.[57][58] Vitali Klitschko retained his WBC Championship belt unanimously in a dominant display in Munich. The fight was fought against a backdrop of antagonism displayed by the contender Dereck Chisora at the weigh in. Chisora slapped Klitschko across the face causing a red mark to be left.[59] The next day Chisora spat water over the face of Vitali's brother Wladimir.[60]

Vitali won the majority of the rounds boxing a disciplined fight with changing angles and superior footwork. Chisora, constantly coming forward delivering punishing body shots, failed to wear down the older man. The scores were: 118–110, 118–110, and 119–111.[61] The next day Vitali visited a hospital to check his shoulder, claiming he injured it in the fight. A doctor confirmed a ligament tear was suffered in his left shoulder. Klitschko said he "suddenly lost strength in the left hand" and was forced to only use his right. The injury was believed to have happened in the second or third round. Klitschko's trainer, Fritz Zdunek, believes this is the same kind of injury Vitali suffered in his fight with Byrd.[62]

At the post-fight press conference, a brawl ensued between Haye and Chisora. After the altercation, Chisora challenged Haye to a fight in the ring and said, "I am going to shoot David Haye." Chisora was later arrested at a German airport along with his coach, Don Charles. His comments and actions were later condemned by Frank Warren, his promoter, and Wladimir Klitschko. [63][64][65][66]

On 2 July 2012, it was announced that Vitali Klitschko will defend his WBC Heavyweight title on 8 September at the Olympic Indoor Arena in Moscow, Russia.[67] His opponent for the fight was the then undefeated Manuel Charr 21–0 (11 KO).[68] Klitschko won the fight via technical knockout when Charr had to be stopped due to a cut received from Vitali's punches.[69]

Klitschko was expected to face Bermane Stiverne in a mandatory title defense, but was forced to pull out due to injury.[70]

Stepping back from boxing

On 15 December 2013, Vitali Klitschko stepped back from boxing. He was announced champion emeritus, which means that if he wants to return to boxing, he can fight the WBC Heavyweight Champion without having any fights beforehand.[7] But (right after his retirement from boxing), Klitschko stated "That is something I currently cannot imagine".[7] The WBC title was vacated and later contested by Chris Arreola and Bermane Stiverne.[71] Commenting on his decision, he stated "My focus is on politics in Ukraine and I feel the people there need me".[7] He also added, "I thank the WBC and its president Jose Sulaiman for the support in our battle for democracy and freedom in Ukraine". Since his retirement, he has maintained a low key level of training and has been in his brother's corner for most fights, most famously when he had an altercation with Anthony Joshua after Anthony Joshua vs. Wladimir Klitschko.[7]

Political career (since 2005)

During the 2004 Ukrainian presidential election and the following Orange Revolution, the Klitschko brothers openly supported the candidacy of Viktor Yushchenko.[12] In 2005, (Vitali) Klitschko was appointed an adviser to President Yushchenko.[12] In October 2006, he was promoted to full-time adviser.[12]

Klitschko began campaigning for Mayor of Kiev shortly after his retirement in 2005. He lost the 2006 mayoral election to Leonid Chernovetskyi but placed second with 26% of the vote, ahead of the incumbent Oleksandr Omelchenko[72] Klitschko campaigned on an anti-corruption platform[72] and lead the bloc "Civic party" PORA-ROP (the parties PORA and Reforms and Order Party) in the simultaneously held local elections for the Kyiv City Council.[73] Analysts stated his relatively late entry into the campaign might have cost him votes. Still, Klitschko was elected as a people's deputy to the Kyiv City Council since "Civic party" PORA-ROP won 14 seats in the 2006 election.[73][74]

Klitschko with Wilfried Martens, former president of the European Peoples Party.

In the May 2008 Kyiv local election, he ran again and won 18% of the vote. Klitschko simultaneously led the Vitaliy Klychko Bloc that won 10.61% of the votes and 15 seats and again, he was elected into the Kyiv City Council.[75] His campaign hired Rudy Giuliani as a consultant for the campaign.[72] In 2008, he was also appointed to the Ukrainian delegation of the Congress of the Council of Europe.

Klitschko became the leader of the political party Ukrainian Democratic Alliance for Reform (UDAR) in April 2010.[76] During the 2010 Ukrainian local elections, the party won representatives in (Ukrainian) municipalities and Oblast Councils (regional parliaments).[77][78][79]

Klitscho and UDAR became a partner of the Christian Democratic Union of Germany in November 2011.[80] UDAR is supported by the German government and the Konrad Adenauer Foundation[81][82] and received support in particular from Angela Merkel and also politicians from the conservative European People's Party. According to information gained by the German magazine Der Spiegel, the target was to "set up Klitschko purposefully as a new strong man in Kiev – in order to counter this way the Kremlin's growing influence". Support consisted in logistics, training and joint performances. Assistance was also promised by Christoph Heusgen, Ronald Pofalla and Guido Westerwelle.[83]

Klitschko, Poroshenko, Tyahnybok and U.S. Deputy Secretary of State William Burns, 25 February 2014

In October 2011, Klitschko announced that he would run in the 2012 Kiev mayoral election.[84]

During the 2012 Ukrainian parliamentary election, Klitschko was elected (he was top candidate on UDAR's party list) into the Ukrainian parliament; when his party won 40 seats.[9][10][11] Klitschko was chosen the leader of the party's faction in Parliament.[85]

Klitschko announced on 24 October 2013 that he intended to take part in the next Ukrainian presidential election that was then set for 2015.[86][nb 2] Experts and lawyers then argued that it was unclear if Klitschko could take part in these elections.[86] Under Ukrainian law, a presidential candidate must have had his residence in Ukraine for the past ten years prior to election day; and Klitschko had lived for many years in Ukraine and Germany, where, according to media reports, he has a residence permit.[86] Opinion polls since early 2011 showed that the predicted percentage of votes that Klitschko would gain in the first round of the 2014 Ukrainian presidential election enlarged from 4.8% in December 2011 to 15.1% in February 2013, and an October 2013 Razumkov Centre poll predicted 19.3%.[88][89][nb 3]

Klitschko with Polish politicians Donald Tusk and Ewa Kopacz, 22 March 2014

Klitschko was one of the dominant figures of the Euromaidan protests.[7] During these protests, he retired from boxing.[7] He confirmed on 28 February 2014 that he would take part in the (early) 2014 Ukrainian presidential election.[91][nb 4] But on 29 March 2014 announced that he had changed his mind and would run for the post of Mayor of Kiev in the 2014 Kiev local election (including Mayoral elections) set for 25 May 2014.[93][94] In the 2014 Ukrainian presidential election Klitschko endorsed the candidacy of Petro Poroshenko.[95] Klitschko won Kiev's mayoral elections with almost 57% of the votes.[18][96] He was sworn in as mayor on 5 June 2014.[3] The same day the Ukrainian parliament had deprived Klitschko of his MP mandate (Ukrainian MPs are not entitled to combine parliamentary activities with any other public employment).[6] Poroshenko was elected President of Ukraine on 25 May 2014.[17]

Poroshenko appointed Klitschko as head of Kiev City State Administration on 25 June 2014.[97]

Klitschko headed the election list of the Petro Poroshenko Bloc in the late October 2014 Ukrainian parliamentary election, but he vowed not to resign as Mayor of Kiev.[19] On 21 November 2014 Klitschko gave up his seat in the new parliament.[20] Petro Poroshenko Bloc won the election with 132 seats.[98][21]

On 28 August 2015 the UDAR merged into Petro Poroshenko Bloc.[5] Klitschko became the new party leader.[5]

In the 2015 Kiev Mayoral election Klitschko was reelected with 66.5% of vote.[22] For this he needed a second round of Mayoral elections between him and Boryslav Bereza after incumbent Klitschko scored 40.5% of the vote and Bereza 8.8% in the first round.[99][100][101] (Bereza gained 33.51% of the vote in the second round of Mayoral elections.[22])

Klitschko resigned as Petro Poroshenko Bloc chairman (on 26 May) after a new law barring a head of administration to be chairman or a member of a political party took effect on 1 May 2016.[4]

Political positions

Klitschko is in favor of the Association Agreement between Ukraine and the European Union.[102][103] He sees the European Union as Ukraine's "model for [Ukraine's] future political and economic development."[104] He believes former President Viktor Yanukovych and his government were "deliberately destroying the integration (into Europe) prospects of Ukraine"[105] and that Ukrainian politicians have no right to let them "rule after 2014".[102] Klitschko is also in favour of NATO-Ukraine cooperation.[106]

Vitali, leader of the political party UDAR seen in the crowd on Khreschatyk street in Kiev, Ukraine on 27 November 2013.

Klitschko's main concern is social standards and the economy of Ukraine.[107] He believes "the issue of language is not the top priority".[107] Klitschko wants less corruption and more transparency in Ukrainian politics.[104][108] He also advocates lower taxes to stimulate the economy.[104][107] Klitschko did accuse in October 2011 President Yanukovych and the Azarov Government of "doing everything to manipulate the rules to stay in power longer";[108] furthermore (in December 2011) he assert(ed) "every statement of the government" as "a continuation of lies and disinformation."[105] He has also taken part in rallies for former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko's release.[102][109][nb 5]

In December 2011 Klitschko described the judicial system of Ukraine as "complete degradation" and accused it of violating human rights and humiliating its prisoners.[116] According to him Ukraine lacks independent and unbiased judges because "The Ukrainian judiciary is currently a closed clan; lifelong judges and appointments through administrative leverage".[107] He wants to ensure the independence of judges by switching from a system of appointed judges to a system of elected judges.[107]

In July 2012 party-leader Klitschko stated his party UDAR will not cooperate with the Party of Regions in the Ukrainian Parliament.[117]

In early April 2013 Klitschko called for early presidential and parliamentary elections in Ukraine.[118]

Klitschko is a member of the International Republican Institute's International Advisory Council.[119]

Personal life

Klitschko brothers on a 2010 Ukrainian stamp

Klitschko's father, Vladimir Rodionovich Klitschko (1947–2011), was a Soviet Air Force major general and a Soviet military attaché in East Germany. The elder Klitschko was also one of the commanders in charge of cleaning up the effects of the Chernobyl Nuclear Disaster in 1986 and was afterward diagnosed with cancer.[120] His mother is Nadezhda Ulyanovna.[121]

Klitschko has been accused of working as a debt collector in the 1990s for mafia boss Viktor Rybalko.[122][123][124][nb 6] Klitschko has vehemently denied links to Rybalko.[122][123][124]

Vitali Klitschko is married to Natalia Egorova, a former athlete and model.[12] They met in Kiev and got married on 26 April 1996. He has three children, Yegor-Daniel, Elizabeth-Victoria and Max (named after the former World Heavyweight Champion Max Schmeling).[125][126]

Vitali Klitschko (left) playing chess with Vladimir Kramnik, Dortmund, 2002.

In 1996, Klitschko graduated from the Pereyaslav-Khmelnytsky Pedagogical Institute (Ukraine)[12] and was accepted into the postgraduate study program at the Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. On 29 February 2000, he presented his doctoral thesis on "talent and sponsorship in sports"[127] at the "Kyiv University of Physical Science and Sports" and his PhD in Sports Science was conferred.

Klitschko has lived for years in Germany (in addition to residing in Kiev).[124] According to Klitschko "Germany adopted me, I really love Germany, but I'm not German".[124]

Both Vitali and his brother are avid chess players. Vitali is a friend of former world chess champion Vladimir Kramnik and the two have played, with Kramnik always winning. Vitali has commented that "chess is similar to boxing. You need to develop a strategy, and you need to think two or three steps ahead about what your opponent is doing. You have to be smart. But what's the difference between chess and boxing? In chess, nobody is an expert, but everybody plays. In boxing everybody is an expert, but nobody fights."[128]

Vitali and his brother also have been involved in charitable activities dedicated to supporting the needs of schools, churches and children. In 2002, the Klitschko brothers announced that they had agreed to work for UNESCO. Vitali and his brother never fought each other in a professional fight as their mother made them promise to never fight each other.[129]

Awards

Professional boxing record

Professional record summary
47 fights 45 wins 2 losses
By knockout 41 2
By decision 4 0
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
47 Win 45–2 Germany Manuel Charr TKO 4 (12), 2:04 8 Sep 2012 Russia Olympic Stadium, Moscow, Russia Retained WBC heavyweight title
46 Win 44–2 United Kingdom Dereck Chisora UD 12 18 Feb 2012 Germany Olympiahalle, Munich, Germany Retained WBC heavyweight title
45 Win 43–2 Poland Tomasz Adamek TKO 10 (12), 2:20 10 Sep 2011 Poland Stadion Miejski, Wrocław, Poland Retained WBC heavyweight title
44 Win 42–2 Cuba Odlanier Solis KO 1 (12), 3:00 19 Mar 2011 Germany Lanxess Arena, Cologne, Germany Retained WBC heavyweight title
43 Win 41–2 United States Shannon Briggs UD 12 16 Oct 2010 Germany O2 World, Hamburg, Germany Retained WBC heavyweight title
42 Win 40–2 Poland Albert Sosnowski KO 10 (12), 2:30 29 May 2010 Germany Veltins-Arena, Gelsenkirchen, Germany Retained WBC heavyweight title
41 Win 39–2 United States Kevin Johnson UD 12 12 Dec 2009 Switzerland PostFinance Arena, Bern, Switzerland Retained WBC heavyweight title
40 Win 38–2 United States Chris Arreola RTD 10 (12), 3:00 26 Sep 2009 United States Staples Center, Los Angeles, California, US Retained WBC heavyweight title
39 Win 37–2 Cuba Juan Carlos Gómez TKO 9 (12), 1:49 21 Mar 2009 Germany Hanns-Martin-Schleyer-Halle, Stuttgart, Germany Retained WBC heavyweight title
38 Win 36–2 Nigeria Samuel Peter RTD 8 (12), 3:00 11 Oct 2008 Germany O2 World, Berlin, Germany Won WBC heavyweight title
37 Win 35–2 United Kingdom Danny Williams TKO 8 (12), 1:26 11 Dec 2004 United States Mandalay Bay Events Center, Paradise, Nevada, US Retained WBC and The Ring heavyweight titles
36 Win 34–2 South Africa Corrie Sanders TKO 8 (12), 2:46 24 Apr 2004 United States Staples Center, Los Angeles, California, US Won vacant WBC and The Ring heavyweight titles
35 Win 33–2 Canada Kirk Johnson TKO 2 (12), 2:54 6 Dec 2003 United States Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
34 Loss 32–2 United Kingdom Lennox Lewis TKO 6 (12), 3:00 21 Jun 2003 United States Staples Center, Los Angeles, California, US For WBC, IBO, The Ring, and lineal heavyweight titles
33 Win 32–1 United States Larry Donald TKO 10 (12), 2:35 23 Nov 2002 Germany Westfalenhallen, Dortmund, Germany Retained WBA Inter-Continental heavyweight title
32 Win 31–1 United States Vaughn Bean TKO 11 (12), 1:40 8 Feb 2002 Germany Volkswagen Halle, Braunschweig, Germany Retained WBA Inter-Continental heavyweight title
31 Win 30–1 United States Ross Puritty TKO 11 (12), 1:16 8 Dec 2001 Germany König Pilsener Arena, Oberhausen, Germany Retained WBA Inter-Continental heavyweight title
30 Win 29–1 United States Orlin Norris KO 1 (12), 1:09 27 Jan 2001 Germany Rudi-Sedlmayer-Halle, Munich, Germany Won vacant WBA Inter-Continental heavyweight title
29 Win 28–1 Germany Timo Hoffmann UD 12 25 Nov 2000 Germany Preussag Arena, Hanover, Germany Won vacant European heavyweight title
28 Loss 27–1 United States Chris Byrd RTD 9 (12), 3:00 1 Apr 2000 Germany Estrel Hotel, Berlin, Germany Lost WBO heavyweight title
27 Win 27–0 United States Obed Sullivan RTD 9 (12), 3:00 11 Dec 1999 Germany Alsterdorfer Sporthalle, Hamburg, Germany Retained WBO heavyweight title
26 Win 26–0 United States Ed Mahone TKO 3 (12), 1:45 9 Oct 1999 Germany Arena Oberhausen, Oberhausen, Germany Retained WBO heavyweight title
25 Win 25–0 United Kingdom Herbie Hide KO 2 (12), 1:14 26 Jun 1999 United Kingdom London Arena, London, England Won WBO heavyweight title
24 Win 24–0 France Ismael Youla TKO 2 (12), 1:30 20 Feb 1999 Germany Alsterdorfer Sporthalle, Hamburg, Germany Retained European heavyweight title
23 Win 23–0 Italy Francesco Spinelli TKO 1 (12), 1:49 5 Dec 1998 Ukraine Palace of Sports, Kiev, Ukraine Retained European heavyweight title
22 Win 22–0 Germany Mario Schiesser TKO 2 (12), 2:00 24 Oct 1998 Germany Alsterdorfer Sporthalle, Hamburg, Germany Won vacant European heavyweight title
21 Win 21–0 Jamaica Ricardo Kennedy TKO 1 (8), 1:31 11 Aug 1998 United States Miccosukee Resort & Gaming, Miami, Florida, US
20 Win 20–0 Cuba Jose Ribalta TKO 2 (8), 2:13 5 Jun 1998 Germany Sporthalle Wandsbek, Hamburg, Germany
19 Win 19–0 United States Dicky Ryan TKO 5 (12) 2 May 1998 Germany Hansehalle, Lübeck, Germany Won vacant WBO Inter-Continental heavyweight title
18 Win 18–0 United Kingdom Julius Francis TKO 2 (12) 18 Apr 1998 Germany Eurogress, Aachen, Germany
17 Win 17–0 United States Levi Billups KO 2 (10) 20 Mar 1998 Germany Ballsporthalle, Frankfurt, Germany
16 Win 16–0 United States Louis Monaco KO 3 (10) 7 Mar 1998 Germany Sartory Saale, Cologne, Germany
15 Win 15–0 Bulgaria Alben Belinski KO 2 (8) 30 Jan 1998 Germany Berdux Filmstudios, Munich, Germany
14 Win 14–0 United States Marcus Rhode TKO 2 (10) 17 Jan 1998 Germany Sport- und Erholungszentrum, Berlin, Germany
13 Win 13–0 United States Anthony Willis KO 5 (8) 20 Dec 1997 Germany Oberrheinhalle, Offenburg, Germany
12 Win 12–0 United States Herman Delgado TKO 3 (8) 29 Nov 1997 Germany Rheinstrandhalle, Karlsruhe, Germany
11 Win 11–0 United States Gilberto Williamson KO 6 (8), 2:50 8 Nov 1997 Germany Ballsporthalle, Frankfurt, Germany
10 Win 10–0 United States Will Hinton KO 2 (6) 4 Oct 1997 Germany Stadionsporthalle, Hanover, Germany
9 Win 9–0 United States Jimmy Haynes KO 2 (6) 14 Jun 1997 Germany Saaltheater Hubert Geulen, Aachen, Germany
8 Win 8–0 United States Cleveland Woods KO 2 (6), 2:16 10 May 1997 Germany Ballsporthalle, Frankfurt, Germany
7 Win 7–0 United States Derrick Roddy TKO 2 (6), 2:14 12 Apr 1997 Germany Eurogress, Aachen, Germany
6 Win 6–0 United States Calvin Jones KO 1 (6), 2:58 8 Mar 1997 Germany Sartory Saale, Cologne, Germany
5 Win 5–0 Canada Troy Roberts TKO 2 (6), 1:14 22 Feb 1997 Germany Sporthalle Wandsbek, Hamburg, Germany
4 Win 4–0 United States Mike Acklie KO 1 (6), 0:32 25 Jan 1997 Germany Maritim Hotel, Stuttgart, Germany
3 Win 3–0 United States Brian Sargent TKO 2 (6), 1:08 21 Dec 1996 Germany Frankfurt Zoological Garden, Frankfurt, Germany
2 Win 2–0 Slovakia Frantisek Sumina TKO 1 (4), 1:12 30 Nov 1996 Austria Arena Nova, Wiener Neustadt, Austria
1 Win 1–0 United States Tony Bradham KO 2 (4), 1:14 16 Nov 1996 Germany Sporthalle Wandsbek, Hamburg, Germany Professional debut

Notes

  1. ↑ Petro Poroshenko was elected President of Ukraine on 25 May 2014.[17]
  2. ↑ In December 2013, he stated "My plans have no changed. I made a decision [...] I will run for president of Ukraine[87]
  3. ↑ Since February 2013 polls predict that Klitschko will win the second round of the 2015 presidential election against incumbent President Viktor Yanukovych.[90][88]
  4. ↑ Amidst the Euromaidan protests and on 11 December 2013, in a confidential hacked conversation, US Assistant Secretary of State Victoria Nuland told the United States Ambassador to Ukraine Geoffrey R. Pyatt, "I don't think 'Klitsch' should go into the government... I don't think it's a good idea. I think 'Yats' is the guy who's got the economic experience, the governing experience. He ... needs 'Klitsch' and Tyahnybok on the outside... talking to them four times a week."[92]
  5. ↑ Klitschko wanted former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko and former Interior Minister Yuriy Lutsenko to be able to participate in the 2012 parliamentary elections (Lutsenko has been charged with abuse of power and Tymoshenko has been sentenced on the same charge).[109][110] Tymoshenko was released on 22 February 2014, in the concluding days of the "Maidan revolution", following a revision of the Ukrainian criminal code that effectively decriminalized the actions for which she was imprisoned and officially rehabilitated on 28 February 2014.[111][112][113][114] Lutsenko was on 7 April 2013 released from prison because Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych had pardoned him (among others) for health reasons.[115]
  6. ↑ After 25 December 2013 attack on Tetiana Chornovol police investigator Mykola Chynchyn stated that one of the suspects in this case used to be in a criminal organization led by Viktor Rybalko; and added "The Klitschko brothers allegedly were closely involved in Rybalko's organization".[122]

References

  1. ↑ "People's Deputy of Ukraine of the VII convocation". Official portal (in Ukrainian). Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. Retrieved 22 December 2014.
  2. ↑ "Vitali Klitschko". Official website of Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko. Retrieved 26 February 2014.
  3. 1 2 Vitali Klitschko sworn in as Kyiv mayor, Interfax-Ukraine (5 June 2014)
  4. 1 2 http://www.unian.info/kiev/1356522-klitschko-resigns-as-bpp-solidarnist-chairman.html
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 Klitschko becomes leader of Petro Poroshenko Bloc 'Solidarity' party, Interfax-Ukraine (28 August 2015)
  6. 1 2 Klitschko becomes Kyiv Mayor officially, Ukrinform (5 June 2014)
    Klitschko was deprived of parliamentary mandate, NovostiMira (5 June 2014)
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Vitali Klitschko: Heavyweight champion swaps boxing for politics, BBC Sport (67 December 2013)
  8. ↑ "You Scratch My Back, and I’ll Scratch Yours", The Ukrainian Week (26 September 2012)
  9. 1 2 Q&A:Ukrainian parliamentary election, BBC News (23 October 2012)
  10. 1 2 Ukraine election:President Yanukovych party claims win, BBC News (29 October 2012)
  11. 1 2 "Parties spend over Hr 600 million on elections, according to report", Kiev Post (16 November 2012)
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 6 (in Russian) Short bio, LIGA
  13. ↑ Furman, Luke (25 December 2013) Vitali Klitschko Won't Rule Out Another Ring Return – Boxing News. Boxingscene.com. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  14. ↑ http://www.thesweetscience.com/feature-articles/17760-vitali-klitschko-retires-to-pursue-politics
  15. ↑ http://www.sherdog.com/news/articles/Boxing-Wladimir-Klitschkos-Loss-Signals-End-of-Era-96845
  16. ↑ http://www.boxinginsider.com/columns/can-mariusz-wach-end-the-klitschko-era-of-dominance/
  17. 1 2 Lukas Alpert (29 May 2014). "Petro Poroshenko to Be Inaugurated as Ukraine President June 7". The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on 29 May 2014. Retrieved 29 May 2014.
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  19. 1 2 (in Russian) Pilots, combat, and journalists. Who goes to the new Verkhovna Rada , Korrespondent.net (September 15, 2014)
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    Deadline for nomination of candidates running in early election to Rada expires, ITAR-TASS (September 15, 2014)
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  21. 1 2 Poroshenko Bloc to have greatest number of seats in parliament, Ukrinform (8 November 2014)
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  25. ↑ Boxing | BoxRec. boxrec.com. Retrieved 2011-05-10.
  26. ↑ Mee, Bob (2 November 2004). "Klitschko admits steroid abuse". Telegraph Sport. London. Retrieved 8 April 2010.
  27. ↑ Songalia, Ryan (28 September 2011). "Byrd: Vitali Klitschko Quit, He Knew I Would Stop Him!". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved 24 January 2015.
  28. 1 2 3 Freeman, Mike (22 June 2003). "Lewis Cuts the Deepest and Retains His Title". The New York Times. Retrieved 22 June 2009.
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  30. ↑ Vitali Klitschko vs. Kirk Johnson – Boxrec Boxing Encyclopaedia. Boxrec.com. Retrieved 19 April 2011.
  31. ↑ Rafael, Dan (27 January 2004). "WBC to Lewis: Fight or else". USA Today.
  32. ↑ "Vitali Klitschko Only Interested in Lennox Lewis, Valuev". Boxingscene.com. Retrieved 1 November 2009.
  33. ↑ "Klitschko Bros KO Universum". Eastsideboxing.com. Retrieved 11 November 2009.
  34. ↑ "Klitschko Remains a Champion in a Dominating Show of Force". The New York Times. 12 December 2004. Retrieved 1 November 2009.
  35. ↑ "Rahman: If not Vitali, bring on Wlad". ESPN. 10 November 2005. Retrieved 1 November 2009.
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  38. ↑ Krikunov, Andrey (28 December 2009). "Vitali Klitschko-Nikolai Valuev Possible For April/May?". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved 9 May 2010.
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  52. ↑ Davies, Gareth A. (30 November 2011). "David Haye has a deal on the table to go ahead and fight WBC world heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko next year". The Daily Telegraph. London, UK.
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  60. ↑ Klitschko vs Chisora: Dereck Chisora Spits in the Face of Wladimir Klitschko (Video) badlefthook.com, 18 February 2012.
  61. ↑ Vitali Klitschko taken the distance by Dereck Chisora in Munich BBC.co.uk (19 February 2012).
  62. ↑ Vitali Gets Medical Check, Left Shoulder Injury Confirmed, Boxingscene.com. Retrieved 22 February 2012.
  63. ↑ Dereck Chisora spits water on Wladimir Klitschko on YouTube. Retrieved 22 February 2012.
  64. ↑ Haye vs Chisora Fight Video from Munich Presser – Full video on YouTube (18 February 2012). Retrieved 22 February 2012.
  65. ↑ Dereck Chisora slaps Vitali Klitschko at Weigh In on YouTube. Retrieved 22 February 2012.
  66. ↑ Dereck Chisora makes Vitali Klitschko fight to retain crown, The Guardian, 19 February 2012. Retrieved 22 February 2012.
  67. ↑ "Vitali Klitschko lines up September title defence". The Times of India. Retrieved 2 July 2012.
  68. ↑ Moscow to stage first Klitschko World Heavyweight Championship in Russia: Official Website of Vitali & Wladimir Klitschko, Klitschko.com, 2 July 2012. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  69. ↑ Sukachev, Alexey (8 September 2012) Vitali Klitschko Stops a Bloody Manuel Charr in Four, Boxingscene.com. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  70. ↑ "Vitali Klitschko pulls out of mandatory WBC title defence against Bermane Stiverne". Sky Sports. 14 August 2013. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
  71. ↑ Boxing News | Vitali Klitschko becomes WBC champion emeritus, WBC heavyweight title now vacant. Fightnews.com (16 December 2013). Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  72. 1 2 3 Chan, Sewell (7 May 2008). "Giuliani Weighs in on Race for Mayor (in Ukraine) – City Room Blog". Cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com. Retrieved 1 November 2009.
  73. 1 2 (in Ukrainian) Каськів вирішив, що Кличко одноразовий by Ukrayinska Pravda (17 April 2006)
  74. ↑ "Kyiv gets first new mayor in decade". Kyiv Post. 29 March 2006. Retrieved 1 November 2009.
  75. ↑ "Biography Vitaliy Klitchko, official party website". Klichko.org. Retrieved 1 November 2009.
  76. ↑ "WBC World Champion Vitaly Klitschko leads new party". Kyiv Post. 24 April 2010. Retrieved 1 November 2009.
  77. ↑ (in Ukrainian) Results of the elections, preliminary data, on interactive maps by Ukrayinska Pravda (8 November 2010)
  78. ↑ (in Ukrainian) Сергій Одарич формуватиме більшість у міськраді Черкас, Cherkasy city council website (8 November 2010)
  79. ↑ (in Ukrainian) Мером Львова обрано Андрія Садового, ЛьвівNEWS (November 2010)
  80. ↑ (in German) 24. CDU-Bundesparteitag in Leipzig, Christian Democratic Union branch Düren-Jülich (15 November 2011)
    (in German) „Politik ist wie ein Boxkampf“: Vitali Klitschko beim CDU-Parteitag in Leipzig im Interview, Leipziger Volkszeitung (14 November 2011)
  81. ↑ article about UDAR on the website of the foundation. Kas.de. Retrieved on 2015-11-29.
  82. ↑ Jutta Sommerbauer (27 October 2012). "Wahlen in der Ukraine: Klitschkos schwierigster Kampf". Die Presse. Retrieved 2013-12-22.
  83. ↑ Merkel kämpft für Klitschko, SPON 8. Dezember 2013
  84. ↑ (in Ukrainian) Кличко збирається в мери і в парламент, Ukrayinska Pravda (22 October 2011)
  85. ↑ UDAR elects faction's leadership in parliament, Kyiv Post (12 December 2012)
  86. 1 2 3 Vitali Klitschko says intends to run for president in Ukraine, Interfax-Ukraine (24 October 2013)
    Parliament passes law that could prevent Klitschko from running for president, Interfax-Ukraine (24 October 2013)
  87. ↑ Кличко подтверждает намерение баллотироваться в президенты. Interfax.com.ua (24 December 2013). Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  88. 1 2 (in Ukrainian) ЕЛЕКТОРАЛЬНІ НАМІРИ ВИБОРЦІВ УКРАЇНИ НАПРИКІНЦІ ТРАВНЯ, KIIS (30 May 2013)
    (in Ukrainian) Электоральные предпочтения украинцев в начале нового политического сезона, R&B Group (25 September 2013)
    (in Ukrainian) Електоральні орієнтації громадян України та ставлення до провідних політиків, Razumkov Centre (14 October 2013)
  89. ↑ Every fourth Ukrainian ready to vote for Yanukovych in presidential election – poll, Interfax-Ukraine (6 March 2013)
    Survey: Yanukovych and Tymoshenko would compete for presidency in early presidential elections, Interfax-Ukraine (28 December 2012)
    Poll: Yanukovych leads Tymoshenko in presidential rankings by small margin, Interfax-Ukraine (5 December 2011)
    Tymoshenko leads presidential rating – poll, Interfax-Ukraine (27 December 2011)
    Poll: Yanukovych has highest ‘presidential’ rating, Interfax-Ukraine (25 February 2011)
  90. ↑ Ratings of politicians in presidential elections: February 2013, Sociological group "RATING" (6 March 2013)
  91. ↑ Klitschko confirms he, Tymoshenko will run for president, Interfax-Ukraine (28 February 2014)
  92. ↑ BBC News – Ukraine crisis: Transcript of leaked Nuland-Pyatt call. BBC.com (7 February 2014). Retrieved 13 January 2015.
  93. ↑ Parliament sets elections for Kyiv mayor and Kyiv City Council deputies for May 25, Interfax-Ukraine (25 February 2014)
  94. ↑ Klitschko will run for mayor of Kyiv, Interfax-Ukraine (29 March 2014)
  95. ↑ Klitschko believes only presidential candidate from democratic forces should be Poroshenko, Interfax-Ukraine (29 March 2014)
  96. ↑ Ukraine boxing hero Klitschko claims Kyiv mayor seat, The Straits Times (26 May 2014)
  97. ↑ Poroshenko appoints Klitschko head of Kyiv city administration – decree, Interfax-Ukraine (25 June 2014)
    Poroshenko orders Klitschko to bring title of best European capital back to Kyiv, Interfax-Ukraine (25 June 2014)
  98. ↑ Poroshenko and Yatsenyuk’s parties maneuver for lead role in coalition , Kyiv Post (29 October 2014)
    New Verkhovna Rada, Kyiv Post (Oct. 30, 2014)
  99. ↑ Klitschko undisputed leader in elections for Kyiv mayor, while second round possible – Savik Shuster Studio exit poll. En.interfax.com.ua (2015-10-25). Retrieved on 2015-11-29.
  100. ↑ With 100% of ballots counted, Klitschko, Bereza to stand in Kyiv mayoral election runoff. En.interfax.com.ua (2015-10-30). Retrieved on 2015-11-29.
  101. ↑ Klitschko, MP Bereza enter 2nd round of Kyiv mayor election — Ukrinform News. Ukrinform.net (2015-10-30). Retrieved on 2015-11-29.
  102. 1 2 3 Klitschko says he responsibly considers possibility of running for president, Interfax-Ukraine (21 August 2013)
  103. ↑ Klitschko, Merkel discuss prospects for signing EU-Ukraine association agreement, Kyiv Post (5 December 2012)
  104. 1 2 3 Vitali Klitschko (22 November 2011). "My new fight is for a country more like Europe". The Times.
  105. 1 2 (in Ukrainian) Кличко зрозумів, що Янукович зневажає історію, Ukrainian Independent Information Agency (30 December 2011)
  106. ↑ (in Ukrainian) Кличко закликає активніше говорити про НАТО, Ukrayinska Pravda (26 November 2011)
  107. 1 2 3 4 5 In Pursuit of the Presidency, The Ukrainian Week (8 July 2013)
  108. 1 2 Klitschko meets with McCain to discuss deterioration of democracy in Ukraine, Kyiv Post (12 October 2011)
  109. 1 2 Thousands rally for Ukraine ex-PM’s release, Oman Daily Observer (23 January 2012)
  110. ↑ Tymoshenko, Lutsenko should participate in 2012 parliamentary elections, says Klychko, Interfax Ukraine (23 January 2012)
  111. ↑ Ukraine's ex-Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko officially rehabilitated – News – World – The Voice of Russia: News, Breaking news, Politics, Economics, Business, Russia, International current events, Expert opinion, podcasts, Video. The Voice of Russia. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
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  115. ↑ Ukraine President Viktor Yanukovych pardons Yulia Tymoshenko allies, BBC News (8 April 2013)
    Ukrainian leader Yanukovych pardons Tymoshenko ally, BBC News (7 April 2013)
    Ukrainian president pardons Lutsenko and Filipchuk – decree, Interfax-Ukraine (7 April 2013)
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  117. ↑ (in Ukrainian) Кличко каже, що не співпрацюватиме в парламенті з Партією регіонів Klitschko says he does not cooperate in Parliament with the Party of Regions, The Ukrainian Week (18 July 2012)
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  119. ↑ "International Advisory Council | IRI". www.iri.org. Retrieved 2017-05-03.
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  122. 1 2 3 Police implicate, link Klitschko brothers, other opposition members to Chornovol beating suspects (UPDATE), Kyiv Post (27 December 2013)
  123. 1 2 Ukraine’s point of no return, openDemocracy.net (29 December 2013)
  124. 1 2 3 4 A Fight without Rules: Boxer Vitali Klitschko Enters Ukraine's Political Arena, Der Spiegel (29 June 2012)
  125. ↑ Кличко улетел от жены, как 14 лет назад. Segondnya (in Russian). 26 April 2010
  126. ↑ Виталий Кличко. men.org.ua
  127. ↑ CyberBoxingZone News, 29-02-2000 "Calling Dr. Klitschko". Retrieved 7 November 2008.
  128. ↑ Staff (27 September 2009). "Boxing: Fighters: Bio: VITALI KLITSCHKO". HBO.com. Retrieved 1 November 2009.
  129. ↑ Gary Morley and Matt Vigil (8 April 2015). "Wladimir Klitschko: Iron Curtain no barrier for 'Dr. Steelhammer'". CNN.com. Retrieved 4 Januari 2017. Check date values in: |access-date= (help)
  130. ↑ "Bundesverdienstkreuz an Klitschko überreicht". Focus. 4 June 2010.
  131. ↑ "Vitali Klitschko named ‘Eternal World Heavyweight Champion’ by the WBC". Boxing News Online. 12 December 2016.
Sporting positions
Regional boxing titles
Vacant
Title last held by
Pelé Reid		 WBO Inter-Continental heavyweight champion
2 May 1998 – 10 October 1998
Vacated 		Vacant
Title next held by
Danny Williams
Vacant
Title last held by
Zeljko Mavrovic		 European heavyweight champion
24 October 1998 – 26 June 1999
Vacated 		Vacant
Title next held by
Wladimir Klitschko
Vacant
Title last held by
Wladimir Klitschko		 European heavyweight champion
25 November 2000 – 5 January 2002
Vacated 		Vacant
Title next held by
Luan Krasniqi
Vacant
Title last held by
Wladimir Klitschko		 WBA Inter-Continental heavyweight champion
27 January 2001 – 21 June 2003
Vacated 		Vacant
Title next held by
Wladimir Klitschko
World boxing titles
Preceded by
Herbie Hide		 WBO heavyweight champion
26 June 1999 – 4 January 2000 		Succeeded by
Chris Byrd
Vacant
Title last held by
Lennox Lewis		 WBC heavyweight champion
24 April 2004 – 9 November 2005
Retired 		Succeeded by
Hasim Rahman
promoted from interim status
The Ring heavyweight champion
24 April 2004 – 9 November 2005
Retired 		Vacant
Title next held by
Wladimir Klitschko
Preceded by
Samuel Peter		 WBC heavyweight champion
11 October 2008 – 15 December 2013
Retired 		Vacant
Title next held by
Bermane Stiverne
Honorary boxing titles
New title WBC heavyweight champion
Emeritus title
9 November 2005 – 11 October 2008
Regained world title 		Vacant
Title next held by
Himself
Preceded by
Himself		 WBC heavyweight champion
Emeritus title
15 December 2013 – present 		Incumbent
Non-transferable title WBC Eternal champion
12 December 2016 – present 		Non-transferable title
Awards
Previous:
Paulie Malignaggi		 The Ring Comeback of the Year
2008 		Next:
Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Records
Preceded by
Jess Willard
1.99 m (6 ft 6 ½ in)		 Tallest world heavyweight champion
2.01 m (6 ft 7 in)
26 June 1999 – 17 December 2005 		Succeeded by
Nikolai Valuev
2.14 m (7 ft 0 in)
Preceded by
Mac Foster
Alex Stewart
24		 Most consecutive knockouts
from the beginning of a heavyweight career
27
26 June 1999 – 27 April 2013 		Succeeded by
Deontay Wilder
32
Party political offices
Preceded by
Roman Romaniuk		 Leader of the Ukrainian Democratic Alliance for Reform
2010–2015 		Position abolished
Political offices
Preceded by
Halyna Hereha
Acting		 Mayor of Kiev
2014–present 		Incumbent
Preceded by
Volodymyr Bondarenko		 Head of the Kiev City State Administration
2014–present
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