Wladimir Wladimirowitsch
Klitschko (born March 25, 1976) is a Ukrainian former professional
boxer who competed fro 1996 wo 2017. He is a two time world heavyweight
champion.
Professional career
Early 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 KOs, he
suffered his first loss to 24-13-1 Ross Puritty, in what was Klitschko’s
first and only professional fight in Ukraine. Klitschko’s coach, Fritz
Sdunek, stopped the fight. On March 18, 2000, Klitschko 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
On October 14, 2000,
in Cologne, Germany’s Kolnarena, 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 champon Frans Both, former WBO champon Ray Mercer and Jameel
McCline.
Klitschko vs Sanders, Brewster
Klitschko suffered an
upset TKO loss to Corrie Sanders on March 8, 2003 in Hanover, 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 2002.
After winning two minor bouts in Germany and enlisting
the services of legendary boxing trainer Emanuel Steward, Klitscho
again fought for the vacated WBO title on April 10, 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 Byrd II, Brock,
Austin
On April 22, 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, defeating Calvin Brock
at Madison Square Garden. Klitschko then defeted mandatory challenger
ray Austin on March 10, 2007, at the SAP Arenea in Mannheim, Germany
by a second round knockout with four consecutive left hooks to Austin’s
head.