The Klitschko brothers, Vitali and Wladimir

You might not have suspected it of a delicate southern flower like myself, but I'm a major boxing fan. I particularly love heavyweight boxing. And I am particularly fond of the Klitschko brothers, who are the adopted sons of Germany.

For those who don't know, Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko are the most successful siblings in the history of heavyweight boxing. Even for heavyweights, these Ukranian brothers are monsters: One is 6-foot-8, the other 6-foot-7. Wladmir’s most recent weighing, at a fight two weeks ago, had him at 111.8 kg (246.5 lbs). Both are doctors, and they both speak four languages - English, German, Ukrainian and Russian.

Vitali is five years older and one inch taller than Wladimir, and was born in Belovodsk (Kirghizia). Nicknamed 'Dr. Iron Fist', he was the first to get a doctorate degree and the first to capture a world title - the World Boxing Organization (WBO) heavyweight championship. His professional record is 35 wins (34 KOs) and 2 losses in 37 fights.

Wladimir, who was born in 1976 in Semipalatinsk (Kazakhstan), is former WBO and the current IBF and IBO World Heavyweight Champion, as well as winner of the gold medal in the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, GA. His nickname is 'Steelhammer', and he is 48-3 with 43 knockouts. Wladimir previously won the WBO title by defeating Chris Byrd, a heavyweight who won the title from Vitali in a fight stopped due to an injury. The match was touted 'Revenge of the Brother'.

After declining offers from many boxing promoters, including America’s notorious Don King, they turned professional for Klaus-Peter Kohl's Hamburg-based Universum Box-Promotion group in November 1996. Germany has been their adopted home for many years (they both claim Hamburg as their home town), and they are both major celebrities here, but moved to Beverly Hills in 2004. Rumour has it that they still maintain part-time residence in Hamburg, and they're often spotted at German celebrity events like the Berlinale.

Wladimir recently defended his belt in a match against mandatory challenger, American Ray Austin, at the SAP Arena in Mannheim, Germany on 10 March. I was at home with a pizza and Helles to watch this match on television (along with 16,000 spectators at in the arena and millions of German TV viewers), but the fight was over before I could even get halfway through my first beer. Klitschko KO’d Austin at 1:23 in the second round, after three well-placed left hooks to the head.

Vitali is set to reemerge from retirement in June, with a scheduled fight against heavyweight champion Oleg Maskaev (34-5, 26 KOs) in Moscow. Meanwhile, Wladimir has expressed interest in a matchup with Russian fighter and WBA heavyweight champ Nikolai Valuev, who has a 46-0 record with 34 KOs.

Klitschko defeats Austin



I'm carefully following the Klitschko's careers (I looooove Wlad especially - hey ladies, he's single too!) so if anybody ever wants to get together to watch some fights, let me know!

Gratuitous pics of Wladimir at his recent weigh-in.



I told you he was a big boy.

If ever a boxer has profitted from a dearth of competition it is Vladimir Klitschko, every time he has fought anyone half decent he has lost. Just lucky the heavyweight division is full of useless fcukers like Ray Austin

Would like to see him fight Valuev, who although not much of a boxer, is over 7ft tall and weighs around 330lbs, and would have way too much for Klitschko Jnr.

Vitali, not a bad boxer, and if it hadn't been for injury, would have cleared up the heavyweight division after Lewis retired.

Meant to add, if anyone decides to fight a Klitschko brother in Germany, they had better knock them out, as Germany is infamous for dodgy decisions for the 'home' boxer.

I'd like to see the Valuev fight too. Love him or hate him, Wladimir is still one of the more feared fighters and has plenty more years left in his career. He totally outclassed Austin and needs to face some real challengers to be taken seriously.

I know a lot of people say he's got a glass jaw, and I think his primary problem in the past has been that he just knocks out opponents so quickly and therefore has no stamina.

And I'd love to see either of the brothers fight Lennox Lewis. But Lewis says he isn't coming out of retirement no way no how.

Edit: Did someone say more Wladimir pics? Ahem.

More wladimir pics please

i saw Vitali at the FFM airport a year or two back & I had to do a double take because he is so huge, i mean tall! he was wearing a well-tailored beige suit & looked extremely handsome for someone of that size & bulk.

Last weeks issue of Vanity Fair had a nice article about Vladimir in preparation for his fight in Mannheim. Gave some good background info on him & how they snubbed Don King over 10 years ago & how Mr. Troll Head has made their lives hell in return. Don't know many who mess with Don King & live to tell about it.

...and the delightfully attractive and no doubt hugely sensitive Valuev...

Vitali did fight Lewis and lost.

No reason for Lewis to come out of retirement, as he has a great legacy, and is one of only 3 or 4 heavyweights who have retired as champ.

Wladimir beating the crap out of Austin shows nothing, Ausitin is a journeyman pro.

I think Vitali (if he still has it) will beat Maskaev, but I don't think Wlad would have beaten him.

Hermann Munster!!

Yes, but I was referring to the fact that Vitali wants a rematch. And it'd be even better for Wladimir to fight him, just for brotherly justice or something.

But you're right, Lennox is an undisputed champ and apparently quite happy as a family man now.

Elf, I'm so jealous! And I'm also off to track down that Vanity Fair issue.

more pics

I would have loved to have been ringside at the Lewis-Tyson fight. Surley that has to go down as one of the greatest fights of all time.

The one in 2002? The one where Tyson threatened to eat Lewis' children and started a brawl at the pre-fight press conference?

For all the hype, it turned out to be a pretty boring bout IMO. Lewis dominated and knocked Tyson out in the 8th round IIRC. By 2002 Tyson had long since lost his edge.

I did win money on that fight, though.

I guess my wanting to see Tyson get such a beating affects my opinion.

Fair enough. You can't talk about heavyweight boxing without talking about Tyson. He was a serious contender in his day. And he is the youngest heavyweight champ ever. But he's a convicted rapist, an admitted drug addict and just generally an undisciplined thug.

One of the things I like about the Klitschko kids is I feel like they are gentlemen - they're educated, intelligent, articulate, carry themselves well and just generally are sportsmanlike in the ring. I love boxers who can balance the brutality of the sport with grace and dignity.

Wladimir is probably one of the world's most eligible (and desirable) bachelors. Apparently his mum is after him to get married.

Interesting topic this georgiagirl – definitely educated me on the subject – hope it keeps going and keeps us abreast of the boxing world. What kind of doctors are they? Don’t they need to marry an American to get their green card or something?

they both have PhDs in sports science. and what does your last statement mean? they're german citizens, i think.

Thanks, johnnyd, glad you learned something. I don't know why it never occurred to me to post about boxing before; I guess it's not something I thought many people were interested in. But these guys are special because I think they appeal to men and women alike: they're charming, smart, good-looking and great athletes. I'll try to keep this updated with interesting boxing stuff.

Elf is correct: both Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko received a doctorate degree in sports science from Kiev University. They are also both accomplished chess players, and Vitali once challenged Gary Kasparov to a match! He (Vitali) also ran for mayor of Kiev after he retired from boxing - and lost, but was still elected to the Kiev City Council. I think all this stuff is on his Wikipedia page, if you go take a look.

And if Wladimir needs a green card, well *cough cough* I know an American he can get in touch with.

I am interested in boxing but have lost touch since Lenox Lewis retired. I am showing my age here and maybe it is not boxing in the true sense but one of the most bizarre bouts I ever saw was the one that pitted Mohamed Ali against some martial arts karate expert – I think he was Japanese. The karate expert spent the whole fight on his back and kicking. Ali just danced around – his never managed to land a punch on the guy. I also remember watching Henry Cooper put Ali solidly on the deck. It was a proud day for us British you know. Cassius Clay as he was known then did say he never met anyone who packed a harder punch. I often wonder the outcome of an Ali – Lewis bout, both in their prime that is.

Ali would be on most people's all time p for p list, Lewis would not make many...

I only hold Sugar Ray Robinson in higher regard than Ali...

My picks for best heavyweight champ? Muhammed Ali and Max Schmeling (the latter more just because of the fact he had an amazing life and played such an important role in the history of boxing).

Then it's a tie between Rocky Marciano and Evander Holyfield.

Honestly, I don't know much about boxing outside of the heavyweight divison, although I've always enjoyed watching Oscar de la Hoya fight. Quick little bastard he is.

No Joe Louis??

May 5th Oscar De La Hoya fights Floyd Mayweather Jnr.

This could be one of the all time great fights, box office records are being beaten, and they are going to fight at light middleweight!!

I knew you'd say that! I deliberately picked Schmeling over Louis simply because of the fact that Louis was such the hands-down favourite in that fight. I like an underdog. Even an underdog with Nazi supporters.

Incidentally, I think Schmeling has mentored both the Klitschko bros.

Oscar has always been a light middleweight, hasn't he? That will be a good fight. I've got an adrenaline rush just thinking about it.

Ali -Antonio Inoki
I used to have a copy of this bizarre episode on my computer (hint hint). It was a very stupid idea Ali agreed to. Inoki's tactics were brilliant though. He goes straight to the floor and starts kicking the shit out of Ali's leg. Worth watching because it is so bizarre,

Oscar is something like a 5 different weight champion, so nope

I think the heaviest weight he has held the title at is light middle...

Okay actually 6 different weight!! Everything from Super Feather to Middleweight!!

He is the only boxer ever to do that!!

He will still get mangled by Pretty Boy Floyd

Told ya I didn't know anything about boxing outside of heavyweight! Oscar's a little guy, that's all I know (well, little in comparison to the behemoths I usually watch in the ring). Need to figure out where to watch this upcoming fight, then.

bucket, that is bizarre. I have to admit I have not heard about this fight. Why in the world would Ali agree to such a thing? Just for publicity, is the only thing I can reckon.

Edit: just did a bit of research... de la Hoya is going to get something like $25 million for this fight! So I'm sure he doesn't even much care if he gets his ass kicked!

I am an avid boxing fan and when they first appeared I had great hopes for the Klitschko bros, but as they fought more talented and harder hitting opponents it become clear they have glass jaws. Unfortunately the heavy weight division lacks any real talent currently, imo. Boxing as a whole actually is kinda lacking a spark. I enjoy watching Gotti fights since they usually turn into a brawl but my real love since its conception is the UFC. My friends back home host "Fight Nights" each month to watch the UFC on PPV and of course now that I am headed home for a few weeks they moved the next UFC to London and its held on the day I fly back to Germany

He reminds me of that catwoman Jocelyn Wildenstein...

Thanks for link - I did a quick search I couldn't find anything on this and was afraid to mention it incase it was something I dreamt (totally possible). Interesting though, all these other fights they mention between wrestlers and boxers. I enjoy very much watching the kick-boxing they have on tv - really don't have time to get into it though. The other stories I have found interesting is about the fights they had when they boxed without gloves - just like we did at school. I think this was late 1800 and early 1900 north east USA. Dont know if you have found any links for this?

I'm not sure if it's because I watched Ali fight when I was at an impressionable age and the circumstances of waking up in the middle of the night to watch a fight broadcast from halfway across the world puts a gloss on the memory but for my money there hasn't been a heavyweight fighter to touch him since. Nobody has had the speed and the suddenly unleashed power he had, nor has anybody else combined his grace and composure in the ring and out of it. I've seen good fights of course but nothing to compare with the magic of seeing the Greatest step into the ring and put you on the edge of your seat. Ali made it look easy and simple.

"Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee."

You did not mention his gift for the gab also. I saw him when Parkinson interviewed him - riveting watching that was. The second interview Parkinson foolishly critised Ali about how his reigious views must clash with his material wealth. Ali snatched Parkinson's prepared scipt form his hands (and ripped it up I think).

Anybody seen Laila Ali, Muhammed Ali's daughter? She's also a professional boxer. Oh and she's on Dancing With the Stars, too.

Reading over my posted comments - must apolagize for typos spelling and grammar but am is such a rush - getting behind in my work reading TT.
A bit off topic but have you ever seen this.

Aoccdrnig to rscheearch at an Elingsh uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in
waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, olny taht the frist and lsat
ltteres are at the rghit pcleas. The rset can be a toatl mses and you
can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae we do not raed
ervey lteter by ilstef, but the wrod as a wlohe.

Quite right Yeti man, the only one who would have caused him a bit of trouble would have been a 21 year old Mike Tyson. He is the only one who has had the speed and power that could have troubled Ali. Ali never really had a problem with the big hulking heavyweights like Liston and Foreman...

The best fights these days are at the lighter weights, there are some all time greats floating around, and this De lahoya v Mayweather fight is the biggest outside of heavyweight since Hagler v Leonard in the early 1980s! I will not miss this fight for anything!

Munich Meetup, anyone? Wee Mun, do you know if we can catch it at the Arc?

The Arc will show it, if there is interest, and the pub is under the same ownership.

I however, will almost certainly have left Munich by this point, as I finish in O2 at the end of next week...

Oh, darn. Well, I'll check with the Arc folks and see what we can work out, and I'll post up a reminder a bit closer to the date.

More gratuitous pics of Wlad K. looking big and shirtless and sexy, pre- and post-fight.

Also: updates on upcoming Klitschko fights. Looks like we definitely won't see Wlad back in the ring until at least June, and probably later. And it'll likely be against Lamon Brewster.

As much as I love him, here's Wladimir getting absolutely pummeled by Brewster. Adds a bit of weight, so to speak, to the 'glass jaw' criticism. The clip is pretty embarassing - the last 20 seconds are actually physically painful for me to watch.

Brewster Hammers Klitschko

I read this blog last night and I was brought to tears by the "Herman Munster/Valuev" comment "delicately attractive" HA!

I became interested in the Klitschko Bros. slightly when I lived in Munich and Rosenheim some years back with all of those commercials. Now that I am back in the States, I watch Showtime Boxing Fight Night and these brothers have gained a pretty good audience for their fights here. From the many comments I've heard and read, it seems that Americans think it is a matter of time before "Drago or Vladimir" is "broken" (immortal Rocky IV--drago words, i must break you) <joke>. A lot have this idea that the title will indeed go back to an American because the toughest fighters in history were those off the streets of NY, Brooklyn, and such. They feel any one that has already beaten him can and will beat him again, it is a matter of time.

I am very much pro Drago and think that anyone as gorgeous Vladimir particularly, who can go in a ring and fight these massive guys who throw punches at pseudo lightning speed, and still remain an image of masculine eastern european beauty is platinum in my book.

Anyways, I'd like to make my contribution incase no one has already mentioned this site of photos of the Klitschko Bros. There are tons of them.

If you haven't found all of these...Thank me later, ahhhhh

( type -klitschko in search galleries)

http://www.boxnews.com.ua/foto.php?lng=en

Yup ... he was cut and had to retire despite being WELL ahead on points at the time - I saw the fight and Lewis was taking a beating.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/boxing/4433162.stm

Max Schmeling was simply one of the greatest men to have ever lived:


Schmeling and Louis met 12 times afterward as friends, and he helped to pay the latterly impoverished Louis' medical bills. He was one of the pallbearers at Louis's funeral in 1981, which he paid for.

“Looking back, I'm almost happy I lost that fight (against Joe). Just imagine if I would have come back to Germany with a victory. I had nothing to do with the Nazis, but they would have given me a medal. After the war I might have been considered a war criminal.�

On regrets in life: "I only wish Joe were still alive and we were still friends. "


For out and out psychos however there could only have been one: Max Baer - he made LaMotta look like a girl.

The Klitschko-Maskaev fight might not happen after all, according to this Russian source.



And since there is currently a dearth of good heavyweight boxing, last week I was forced by a fellow boxing fan to watch Stefan Raab getting pounded by Regina Halmich in their exhibition rematch. At least this time he managed to avoid getting his nose broken.

Stefan Raab vs. Regina Halmich - 2007 - Die Revanche!

If anyone wants to see real boxing instead of this farce, I recommend olympic boxing. They fight to win.

What the hell? Is that a joke? Who is Stefan Raab? He's obviously not a boxer.

Joke? Yes and no. Think of Andy Kaufman and his wrestling.

yeah great if you want to see amatuers fight with a ridiculous method of scoring...

Box Fabrik has lots of matches going on. Perhaps a Smoker is in order?

Oh yes. It's on.

Wladmir Klitschko is scheduled for a rematch with Lamon Brewster on 7 July in Köln. It will be broadcast live on RTL.

Brewster is the last man Wladmir lost to in the ring, so three years later, he's out both to defend his title and to prove his critics wrong. Wladmir pretty much has to win this fight; a loss is going to be potentially fatal to his career. This ought to be an excellent matchup between two of the best heavyweights in the world.

Klitschko Brothers official website: Time for a rematch!

Wladmir is currently training for the match in the Austrian Alps.

Wladimir is fighting American Tony Thompson this Saturday, 12 July in Hamburg. The fight will be broadcast live on RTL with coverage beginning at 22:10.

Irish Times: Bluffer's guide to Wladimir Klitschko v. Tony Thompson