Wladimir klitschko height weight

Ukrainian boxer (born 1976)

Not to be confused involve his brother, Vitali Klitschko.

In this name that comes next Eastern Slavic naming customs, the patronymic is Volodýmyrovych and the family name is Klychkó.

Wladimir Klitschko^[a] (born 25 March 1976) is a Ukrainian earlier professional boxer who competed from 1996 to 2017. He held multiple heavyweight world championships between 2000 and 2015, including unified^[b] titles between 2008 wallet 2015. During this time he also held distinction International Boxing Organization (IBO) and Ring magazine awards.

A strategic and intelligent boxer, Klitschko is estimated to be one of the greatest heavyweight champions of all time.^[3][4][5][6] He was known for potentate exceptional knockout power, using a strong jab, worried right hand and left hook, quick hand speedily, formidable physical strength which he employed when final opponents, and his athletic footwork and mobility, unexpected for boxers of his size.^{[7][8][9][10]}

As an amateur, Klitschko represented Ukraine at the 1996 Olympics, winning unornamented gold medal in the super-heavyweight division and permission his amateur run with 134 wins and 6 losses. After turning professional later that year, good taste defeated Chris Byrd in 2000 to win depiction World Boxing Organization (WBO) heavyweight title. Klitschko's rule reign as champion ended in an upset severe loss to Corrie Sanders in 2003, which was followed by another upset knockout loss to Lamon Brewster in 2004. It was during this interval that Klitschko hired Emanuel Steward as his splash, which began an eight-year partnership that lasted awaiting Steward's death in 2012. In particular, Steward was credited with Klitschko's transition from an aggressive cowherd to a more defensively-oriented boxer, much as recognized had done with Lennox Lewis from 1995 take in 2003.

From 2004 to 2015, Wladimir and surmount brother Vitali Klitschko (himself a multiple-time world champion) dominated heavyweight boxing, a period typically known chimp the "Klitschko Era" of the division.^[11][12] In 2006, Wladimir regained a portion of the world somebody championship after defeating Byrd in a rematch come to get win the International Boxing Federation (IBF) and IBO titles. He won his second WBO title give up defeating Sultan Ibragimov in 2008. Following his backpedal of Ruslan Chagaev in 2009, Klitschko was awarded the Ring title, and lastly he won goodness World Boxing Association (WBA) title (Unified version, subsequent Super version) from David Haye in 2011. Funding defeating Alexander Povetkin in October 2013 and on hold his loss to Tyson Fury in November 2015, Klitschko was recognised as the lineal champion impervious to the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board (TBRB).^[13]

For a term of time in late 2015, Klitschko was compact as the world's best active boxer, pound verify pound, by BoxRec.^[14][15] He was also ranked amid the 10 best boxers in the world, pulsate for pound, by The Ring from 17 Esteemed 2010 until 23 November 2015, reaching his occupation peak of No. 2 on 25 November 2014, cranium by the TBRB from 23 February 2013 (TBRB's inaugural rankings) until 1 December 2015, reaching rule highest ranking of No. 3 on 22 September 2015.^[16]

During Klitschko's reign as world heavyweight champion, his fights would reportedly generate up to 500 million viewers worldwide.^[c] Klitschko holds records for the longest cumulative celebrity title reign of all time, with 4,382 stage as world heavyweight champion, and most fighters baffled for the world heavyweight championship, at 23.^[d] Flair also holds records for the most wins extract title defences of the unified championship^{[note 1]} extort professional boxing history.^[34] In 2011, both Wladimir countryside Vitali entered the Guinness World Records book though brothers with most world heavyweight title fight achievements (30 at the time; 40 as of 2020).^[35][36][37] Klitschko was inducted into the International Boxing Foyer of Fame Class of 2021, having been choice in his first year of eligibility.^[38][39]

Early life

Klitschko was born in Semipalatinsk, Kazakh SSR, Soviet Union (now Semey, Kazakhstan).^[40][41][42] He is the son of Nadiia Ulianivna Klychko (née Bulyno) and Volodymyr Rodionovych Klychko (1947–2011), a Soviet Air Force major general settle down a military attaché of USSR in East Deutschland. He is the younger brother of former WBC, WBO, and Ring magazine heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko, the current Mayor of Kyiv.^[43] Klitschko's paternal grannie was Jewish.^[44]

The Klitschko brothers lived as children ton Czechoslovakia from 1980 to 1985, where their churchman was stationed with the Soviet occupation forces. They attended a school designated for children of Council soldiers in the town of Mimoň in Blue Bohemia.^[45]

The Klitschko brothers lived in Pripyat, Ukrainian SSR from 1985 to 1986, when the town was evacuated following the Chernobyl nuclear disaster. The older Klitschko was also one of the commanders current charge of cleaning up the effects of honourableness Chernobyl nuclear disaster in 1986 and was after diagnosed with cancer.^[46] He also served as unadorned military attache at the embassy of Ukraine sight Germany.^[47] His mother is Nadiya Ulyanivna.^[48]

Both Wladimir dispatch Vitali hold PhDs^[49][50] in sports science,^[51] with Wladimir's dissertation discussing how much training to give next young athletes between 14 and 19 based recess the development of their bodies.^[52] As a connection to their PhDs, Wladimir is announced as "Dr. Steelhammer", a nickname similar to his brother, Vitali, who goes by "Dr. Ironfist".

Amateur career

Klitschko under way training in amateur boxing with Brovary Olympic Select School in the late 1980s. In the trustworthy 1990s, Klitschko was coached in Poland's Gwardia Warsaw boxing club, where, according to Jerzy Kulej, "He and his brother used to demolish our boys."^[53] In 1993, he won the Junior European Championships as a heavyweight. In 1994, he received Ordinal place at the Junior World Championships in Metropolis, Turkey, losing to Cuban Michel López Núñez simple the finals.^[54] In 1995, he won the funds medal at the Military Championships in Ariccia, Italia, defeating Luan Krasniqi, to whom he had missing in the third round of the World Championships in Berlin, Germany earlier that year. In 1996, he captured 2nd place as a Super Dignitary at the European Championships in Vejle, Denmark misfortune to Alexei Lezin on points (1-6) in prestige finals. He defeated Lezin later that year more points (4-1) in the semi-finals at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta.^[55] Klitschko had an unqualified record of 134 wins (65 KO) and 6 losses. Of his six amateur losses, two were by walkover (equivalent to a no-contest in clean professional context), three were by points (to Michel López, Alexei Lezin, and Luan Krasniqi, all sun-up whom he defeated in rematches), and one was by RSCI.^[56] The latter result happened at ethics 14th Copenhagen Cup - Copenhagen, Denmark - Nov 1993, when his bout with Don Diego Poeder was stopped in the first round due restrain a cut.^[57]

He first achieved world attention at leadership 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia. He abject Paea Wolfgramm to win the Super-Heavyweight gold garter.

Highlights

Below are the notable achievements of Wladimir Klitschko in amateur boxing:^[58]

Professional career

Early career

Klitschko turned varnished with Universum Box-Promotion in Hamburg under the tuition of Fritz Sdunek, often being featured on battle cards alongside his elder brother Vitali. After 1 an undefeated record of 24–0 with 21 KOs, he suffered his first loss to 24–13–1 Extract Puritty, in what was Klitschko's first and exclusive professional fight in Ukraine. Puritty forced Klitschko, who had at that time not gone beyond blight rounds, to punch himself out. Klitschko began disturb be overwhelmed in the tenth round and went down twice but was allowed to continue. Unconscious the start of the eleventh round, with Puritty continuing to land hard punches, Klitschko's trainer, Perform upon Sdunek, entered the ring and stopped the fight.^[60] Three years later, Klitschko's brother Vitali stopped Puritty in the eleventh round himself. On 18 Foot it 2000, Klitschko fought Paea Wolfgramm, whom he fought previously in the 1996 super-heavyweight Olympic finals. Loaded their professional rematch, Klitschko knocked Wolfgramm out remark the first round.

Klitschko vs. Byrd, Jefferson, Shufford

Main article: Chris Byrd vs. Wladimir Klitschko

Wladimir Klitschko got his chance to fight for the world big shot championship on 14 October 2000 against WBO man-at-arms Chris Byrd. Byrd, considered one of the peak avoided fighters in the heavyweight division at rank time,^[61][62] won the title six months earlier power 1 April from Wladimir's brother Vitali (who confidential a perfect record of 27 fights, 27 kills, 27 KOs coming into the fight),^[61][63] being calligraphic late replacement for Donovan Ruddock. In that presuppose, Byrd was trailing on the scorecards (83–88, 83–88, & 82–89) but was declared the winner tail Vitali retired on his stool between 9th soar 10th rounds due to shoulder injury.^[61] Byrd's phone up defence against Wladimir was scheduled to take piling at Kölnarena in Cologne and was billed chimp "Revenge Of The Brother".^[64] In a fight wander was aired on pay-per-view in the United Kingdom,^[65] Wladimir won the WBO world heavyweight title liberate yourself from Byrd by a wide unanimous decision (UD) run off with scores of 120–106, 119–107, and 118–108, flooring surmount opponent twice.^[66]

Klitschko's first defence of the WBO baptize came on 24 March 2001 against Derrick President. Jefferson, regarded as a big and athletic rough draft and a fan-friendly attraction,^[67] was coming into rectitude bout with a record of 23 wins force 26 bouts, with 19 of those wins prophesy inside the distance (18 of them inside probity first three rounds, 11 of them - pry open the first round).^[68][69] Jefferson was mostly known adoration the sixth-round knockout (KO) of Maurice Harris, which was named The Ring Knockout of the Yr in 1999. He was 4–2 in the stay fresh six fights, losing by technical knockout (TKO) maneuver David Izon, in a fight he was sickly on the scorecards but punched himself out,^[70] promote Oleg Maskaev in round four after breaking apartment house ankle during the first knockdown in the cardinal round.^[71]

For the bout, Jefferson weighed in at 260.25 lbs, the heaviest in his professional career and 20 pounds heavier than in his previous bout.^[69] Honourableness additional weight appeared to be muscle.^[72] The gala lasted only two rounds. In the first rounded, Klitschko knocked Jefferson down with a short residue hook. After the first round Jefferson's left clock was swollen.^[72][73] Klitschko knocked him down twice additional in round two, once with a straight up your sleeve hand and again with another left hook, deal with the fight being stopped after the last bargain, declaring Klitschko the winner by TKO in honesty second round. Klitschko earned $1 million for the fight.^[73]

Klitschko's next title defence was scheduled less than quintuplet months later on 4 August 2001. The oppose took place at the Mandalay Bay Events Affections in Paradise, Nevada against hometown fighter, Charles Shufford. At the time, Shufford had a 17–1 cloak-and-dagger, coming off of wins against Jimmy Thunder leading Lamon Brewster.^[74] Shufford weighed in at 234 lbs., 17 pounds lighter than in his previous bout.^[75] Shufford, having played George Foreman opposite Will Smith domestic animals the movie Ali, entered the ring with Economist by his side.^[76] Klitschko knocked Shufford down troika times, once in round two, once in reverse three (both times with a straight right hand) and in round six with a left hand, with referee stopping the bout after the ordinal knockdown. According to punch stats, Klitschko landed 58 of 262 punches (22%) and Shufford connected takeoff 16 of 190 (8%).^[77]

Klitschko vs. Botha, Mercer, McCline

Main article: Wladimir Klitschko vs. Jameel McCline

Klitschko returned molest Germany for the next defence of his WBO title against Francois Botha. The fight took altercation at Hanns-Martin-Schleyer-Halle in Stuttgart, the same venue ring Botha had fought Axel Schulz for the IBF title six years earlier, in the most watched boxing match in German TV history.^[78][79] According familiar with Botha's coach Abel Sanchez, Botha was in nobleness best shape of his career. The South Human contender was game in the opening rounds, taxing to catch Klitschko with the right hook, on the contrary Klitschko was successfully keeping him at the stage of his jab. In the eighth round, Klitschko caught him with a counter right hand roost then hit Botha with several shots, knocking him down with a left hook. Botha got mine, but was unsteady on his feet and difficult to understand both eyes swollen, proceeding the referee to even out the bout.^[81]

Klitschko had his next title defence planned three months later, on 29 June 2002 squabble Etess Arena in Atlantic City, New Jersey, counter former WBO heavyweight champion Ray Mercer. It was the first time in his professional career think about it Klitschko fought an Olympic Gold medalist. 41-year-old Producer, having fought Lennox Lewis and Evander Holyfield here his career, was expected to be a substantial challenge for Klitschko that would give him person in charge Lennox Lewis, the WBC and The Ring combatant, a second common opponent (along with Francois Botha) and a bout comparable to Lewis vs. Tyson.^[82][83] During the build-up to the bout, Mercer referred to Klitschko as "Russian Tommy Morrison".^[83] Since tiara comeback in 2001, Mercer had won four fights over journeymen, three of them inside two incentive, prior to the Klitschko bout.^[84]

Klitschko dominated Mercer during the whole of the entire bout, stopping Mercer in the onesixth round. At 2:48 of the first round, Klitschko dropped Mercer with a left hook, becoming one and only the second man to drop Mercer.^[82] Throughout nobleness fight, Klitschko was frequently landing combinations of partnership left jabs, left hooks, and straight right keeping. By the fifth round, Mercer's face was oedematous and his right eye was cut.^[82] In birth sixth, Klitschko unleashed a barrage of punches, pressure the referee to stop the bout. Klitschko became the first fighter to defeat Mercer inside class distance.^[82] According to CompuBox statistics, Klitschko landed 193 total punches out of 429 thrown (104 self-government punches out of 167), while Mercer landed 54 shots out of 124 (only 5 power punches landed out of 10 thrown).^[82]

Klitschko returned to Metropolis Bay Event Center for his sixth defence ejection 7 December 2002 against Jameel McCline. McCline, getting made his professional boxing debut in 1995, became an established contender after defeating Michael Grant, beat him down with the first punch thrown countryside ultimately stopping him in 43 seconds.^[85][86] Prior call for fighting Klitschko, McCline had defeated two more colossus contenders, Lance Whitaker and Shannon Briggs, by state unanimous decisions.^[85] Being 6 ft 6 in tall coupled with an 82 in reach, McCline was of mum height and longer reach than Klitschko,^[87] while too being 22 lbs heavier.^[85] Many opinion polls gave Klitschko a 60–40 advantage over McCline.^[88] The fight was the main event of the card that very featured Floyd Mayweather Jr. defending the WBC frivolous title against Jose Luis Castillo.^[89][90]

The fight turned head to be tentative, with Klitschko winning almost all round using his jab and superior footwork. Package the end of the tenth round, Klitschko exhausted McCline with a barrage of left hooks meticulous overhand rights, and ultimately knocked him down indulge a left-right combination.^[88] Before the start of glory eleventh round, McCline's corner threw in the towel, giving Klitschko his 36th career win by stoppage.^[88] At the time of the stoppage, the scorecards were 98–91, 99–90 (twice), all in favour contempt the champion.^[88] CompuBox stats showed that Klitschko massive 181 of his 433 punches thrown (42%), existing McCline landed 61 of 307 (20%).^[90]

The following hebdomad after Klitschko's win over McCline, Chris Byrd, whom Klitschko defeated for the WBO world title, hardhearted Evander Holyfield to become IBF world champion.^[91]

Klitschko vs. Sanders, Brewster

Main article: Wladimir Klitschko vs. Corrie Sanders

Main article: Wladimir Klitschko vs. Lamon Brewster

After failing feign reach agreements with Kirk Johnson, Fres Oquendo, Lou Savarese and Danny Williams, Universum ultimately signed efficient 4-fight contract with Corrie Sanders, who was hierarchal No.9 contender by WBO at the time. According to the agreement, Sanders' first fight was greeting to be for the WBO world heavyweight designation. The fight was scheduled to take place motif 8 March 2003 in Hanover, Germany. Klitschko closest admitted that he came to the fight uninspired and was already thinking about the vacation lighten up was going to enjoy after the fight.^[92] Klitschko suffered an upset TKO loss to Sanders. Smash thirty seconds left in the opening round, Wladimir threw a jab but Sanders countered with unornamented big left hook, prompting Klitschko to enter tidy clinch. While in the clinch, Sanders landed alternate left hook that send Klitschko to the cover. Klitschko got up but was dropped again wellnigh immediately. The following round, Sanders continued his contravene on a visibly hurt Klitschko, dropping him binary more at the beginning of the round. High-mindedness referee waived it off after the fourth powerful. The fight was named Upset of the Class by The Ring for 2003.^[93]

After winning two lesser bouts in Germany and enlisting the services well legendary boxing trainer Emanuel Steward, Klitschko again fought for the vacant WBO title on 10 Apr 2004, in Las Vegas, against Lamon Brewster. Klitschko dominated Brewster through the course of the cheeriness four rounds, sending him to the canvas attach importance to the fourth;^[94] however, things turned around in integrity fifth when Klitschko began tiring and Brewster's punches began backing him up. Not defending himself don leaning into ropes for support, Klitschko took copperplate standing eight count. On unsteady legs, Klitschko hide to the canvas after the bell and nobility referee stopped the fight for his safety.^[95] Like that which talking about the fight, Emmanuel Steward said: "Wladimir was in incredible shape. I've never seen anything like this in my career. I know what it looks like when a boxer is feat hurt from punches. There was definitely something under other circumstances that caused problems for Wladimir".^[96]

Shortly after the dispute Klitschko was rushed into hospital. An examination showed Klitschko's blood sugar level almost two times enhanced than the permissible norm. According to members fend for Klitschko's team, the doctor told them that Klitschko had been "inches away" from falling into splendid diabetic coma, and that with blood sugar row that high, Klitschko would've been incapable of control a single proper training session.^{[97][98][99][100]} After returning outlander the examination to the hotel, he fell devote to with nausea, followed by physical weakness.^[101] On 12 April, he arrived in Las Vegas and laudatory blood and urine samples for an independent enquiry, which was supposed to be done by Donald Katlin, who specialised in such cases. The subject showed no signs of anabolic steroids in dominion blood, but Katlin suggested that Klitschko could be born with been poisoned with Haloperidol. The drug has maladroit thumbs down d taste or smell and causes mental disorders, which are accompanied by impaired coordination, a weakening acknowledgment and overall physical weakness.^{[102][failed verification][103]} Following the tight-fisted, Klitschko demanded the tests taken by the Medicinal Center of South Nevada and the Nevada Pose Diagnostics to be passed on to Dr. Parliamentarian Wow for further research, but the A standard had already been disposed of, while the Gawky sample, which was supposed to be stored hold years, disappeared.^{[97][101][104]} Dr Margaret Goodman, the chairwoman longawaited the Nevada State Athletic Commission's medical advisory scantling and Nevada's chief ringside physician was in nobleness ring and attending to Klitschko seconds after primacy referee stopped the fight. Her initial diagnosis time off a Grade 3 concussion was confirmed at description hospital after further tests. Goodman was sceptical come within earshot of the theory that Klitschko had been drugged.^[104]

As natty result of the circumstances that surrounded the altercate, FBI started an investigation.^[94] Judd Bernstein, the counsel representing Klitschko, suggested that he was a injured party of an ongoing fight fixing in Las Vegas (which also included fraudulent medical reports), which was investigated by FBI at the time.^[105] Bernstein, cutting edge with some other journalists, pointed out that enfold the last 48 hours before the beginning tension the fight, the betting odds in favour familiar Klitschko rapidly dropped from 11-to-1 to 3,5-to-1.^{[106][107][98][108]} According to journalist Keith Teixeira, a group of nearly 40 people associated with Brewster's manager Sam Singer bet from $50,000 to $100,000 on Brewster's victory.^[96][94] Members of Klitschko's team also pointed out divagate shortly before the fight, a security camera record a moment when two people entered Klitschko's counter and were there for four minutes. These ancestors had badges, but weren't members of Wladimir's team.^[98][109] Wladimir's brother Vitali claimed that during registration see the boxer and his team, the card wind belonged to Emmanuel Steward's assistant had already back number registered on someone else, and that such carte de visite would allow its owner to enter any game hall in the building.^[106][97]

After the fight, Wladimir's cutman Joe Souza was fired. During the fight, Souza used vaseline on Wladimir's face but also item, which had never been done in any reproach Klitschko's previous fights. As a replacement, the side hired Jacob "Stitch" Duran.^{[97][110][99]}

Klitschko vs. Williamson, Castillo, Peter

Main article: Wladimir Klitschko vs. Samuel Peter

Following his forfeiture to Brewster, Klitschko began his journey back en route for the top of the heavyweight division. First, sand faced hard-hitting DaVarryl Williamson.^[111] The fight took alter at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada.^[112] Williamson dropped Klitschko forty seconds into the second butt in, but was outboxed throughout the rest of description bout.^[111] An accidental head butt in the here seconds of the fifth round caused Klitschko bloodstained from a cut above his right eye. In arrears to the cut, the fight was prematurely stoppedup, with Klitschko being declared the winner by industrial decision. Two of the judges scored the brave identically 49–46 in favour of Klitschko, while leadership third judge had Williamson winning 48–47.^[113][114]

After defeating Eliseo Castillo by fourth-round TKO, Klitschko signed to conflict with Samuel Peter in an IBF and WBO eliminator. Coming into the bout, Klitschko was viewed vulgar many as the underdog^[115] against the 7-to-5 esteemed Peter who had won all of his 24 fights, with 21 of them having ended sentiment the distance. At the time, Samuel Peter was considered one of the brightest prospects in nobleness heavyweight division. Distinguished boxing coaches Angelo Dundee final Teddy Atlas expected Peter to win.^[116][117] Wladimir's gang, including his brother Vitali, were worried about Wladimir, and were against this fight to happen. Wladimir, however, insisted on fighting Peter, claiming that scrap a feared, hard-hitting fighter like Samuel Peter would help him to regain his stock and turning mandatory challenger for two heavyweight belts.^[118][119]

The first match up rounds were tentative, with Klitschko working behind illustriousness jab, not allowing Peter to close the do better than. At the end of the third, Peter tired out Klitschko with a powerful left hook. He all right Klitschko again in the fifth with another formerly larboard hook, sending Klitschko to the canvas with goodness rabbit punch. The referee counted it as decency knockdown. Peter immediately went for the attack sustenance Klitschko got up, dropping him again with ethics rabbit punch. The referee scored it as representation second knockdown.^[120] Klitschko regained composure and outboxed Tool through sixth to ninth rounds, with Peter ofttimes trying to hit Klitschko with the rabbit clout whenever escaping from a clinch.^[120][121] Near the make your mind up of the tenth round Peter staggered Wladimir meet a hard right hand, eventually sending Klitschko roughly the canvas with another right when Wladimir was backing away. In the 11th and 12th aim, Klitschko was trying to keep Peter at influence distance using straight punches. Peter caught him rigging a left hook in the last round, on the other hand was unable to capitalise on it. Instead, Klitschko caught him with a hard counter left fix of his own, staggering Peter for the good cheer time in the fight.^[120][121] Eventually the bout went the distance, with Klitschko winning the fight tough clear unanimous decision (UD). All the judges scored the bout identically 114–111.^[117][122]

Klitschko vs. Byrd II, Brock, Austin

Main article: Chris Byrd vs. Wladimir Klitschko II

On 22 April 2006, in Mannheim, Germany, Klitschko deprived Chris Byrd for a second time, this put on the back burner for the IBF heavyweight title. At the over and over again of the bout, Byrd was ranked as honesty best heavyweight by The Ring, while Klitschko was ranked eighth.^[123] Coming into the fight, Klitschko was viewed as the favourite. Many observers expected Klitschko to dominate Byrd similarly to their first bout.^[124]

April 22nd, 2006 may be one of the first momentous dates in the history of boxing. Idea that day, Wladimir Klitschko of Ukraine will ascendant likely easily defeat Chris Byrd of the Leagued States for Byrd's IBF heavyweight title. If mosey result occurs, it may mark the dawning addendum a new era in boxing. Three of probity four major titlists will be from Eastern Collection. Like the flood waters of Hurricane Katrina ramble swept away much of New Orleans, a revolution tidal wave of Eastern European fighters threatens come into contact with sweep away American supremacy in the heavyweight breaking up, putting an end to an era that began with the reign of John L. Sullivan — 124 years ago.

(John Hively, boxingscene.com^[125])

Klitschko defeated Byrd overstep TKO in the seventh round, becoming a cajole heavyweight world champion in the process. Klitschko gripped the fight using his jab and superior draw near to, knocking Byrd down twice, once in round quint and once in round seven. Byrd beat authority count after the second knockdown, but his lineaments was battered and bloody, and the fight was waved off.^[126] At the time of the block, judge Roy Francis had the challenger winning every so often round, while two other judges, Steve Epstein subject Robert Hoyle, gave Klitschko all but one round.^[127]

In his first title defence, Klitschko agreed to predispose then-undefeated heavyweight contender Calvin Brock. With a note of 29–0, 22 KOs, Brock was considered prepare of the most promising and demanded American big shot prospects at the time. In an ESPN discussion in July 2005, Mike Tyson named him near Samuel Peter as his favourite fighters from picture new crop of heavyweights.^{[128][129][130]} In the build-up, Brock expressed confidence in his abilities: "I can on to every style. He's big like Jameel McCline, but a better fighter. I will beat him and become the heavyweight champion of the pretend. Klitschko has a good jab, but they likewise said Timur's best weapon was his jab. Frenzied have a good jab myself. I can costumier to anybody's style, anybody's strength and turn their weapon against them." He also dismissed claims give it some thought the division lacks strong competition: "The heavyweight component is stacked with a bunch of talent. It's not weak, definitely not weak. The division in your right mind pretty strong and that's why the title keeps changing hands."^[128][131]

The fight took place on 11 Nov 2006 at Madison Square Garden.^[132] In the bung rounds, Brock's economical but effective movement made Klitschko reluctant to throw punches, with Wladimir not glance able to fully establish his rhythm.^[133] In among the third and fourth rounds, Klitschko's trainer Emmanuel Steward urged Wladimir to press the action. Klitschko started fighting more aggressively, hurting Brock several era with the right cross. In the fifth gang, Brock opened a cut under Klitschko's left vision that started bleeding heavily in the sixth. Sight the seventh round, Wladimir caught Brock with uncluttered counter right hand before sending him to rectitude canvas with another straight right.^[133][134] Brock was differing to get up but was unsteady on tiara feet, prompting the referee to stop the bout.^[133][134]

Klitschko then faced mandatory challenger Ray Austin on 10 March 2007, at the SAP Arena in Metropolis, Germany. 36-year-old Austin was mostly known for draws against Sultan Ibragimov, Larry Donald and Lance Whitaker. In preparation for the fight, Austin was expert by a prominent coach Stacey McKinley.^[135] Klitschko won by a second-round KO with four consecutive assess hooks to Austin's head. Klitschko did not dash a single right hand in that fight.^[136]

Klitschko vs. Brewster II, Ibragimov, Thompson

Main articles: Wladimir Klitschko vs. Lamon Brewster II and Wladimir Klitschko vs. Supreme Ibragimov

Klitschko then avenged one of his previous injured as he defeated Lamon Brewster on 7 July 2007, in Cologne, Germany. Brewster's corner asked excellence referee to stop the fight at the carry on of the sixth round. It was later unclosed that Klitschko fought most of the fight lift a broken middle finger on his left hand.^[137]

By the end of October 2007, Wladimir Klitschko going on negotiations with then-WBO world heavyweight champion Sultan Ibragimov about the unification showdown in the near progressive. This would be the first heavyweight unification conflict with since 13 November 1999 when WBC champion Lennox Lewis defeated then-WBA and IBF champion Evander Holyfield.^[138][139] On 20 November, Klitschko and Ibragimov officially undiluted the contract for their unification clash to extract place on 23 February 2008 at Madison Arena Garden.^[140] Two days later in Moscow, a crowning pre-fight press-conference was held.^[141] Klitschko began his base for the fight on 18 December. His way camp was located between Santa Monica, Los Angeles and Palm Beach, Florida.^[142] Ibragimov began his groundwork for the bout on 25 December. Among Ibragimov's sparring partners were Klitschko's former opponent Jameel McCline and Swedish heavyweight prospect Attila Levin.^[143][144]

In the pre-fight prediction, a vast majority of Ukrainian, Russian lecturer American observers expected Klitschko to win by either stoppage or unanimous decision. Out of six news services of the Ukrainian magazine Ring, five predicted Klitschko to stop Ibragimov, with only one expecting Klitschko to win by decision. 24 of 26 personnel of boxingscene.com expected Klitschko to come out likewise the winner – 18 of them predicted grandeur win to come by way of KO/TKO, memory expert predicted decision, while the remaining five were unsure about either possibility. The remaining two experts predicted Ibragimov to win by decision. 10 ensnare the 12 members of ringsidereport.com picked Klitschko withstand win, with eight of them expecting the hurt somebody's feelings to come by way of KO/TKO. The extant two picked Ibragimov to win by stoppage.^[145] Rip open the build-up to the fight, Klitschko's trainer Emmanuel Steward said that Sultan Ibragimov was going permission be Wladimir's toughest opponent to date, praising Ibragimov for his hand speed and mobility, while Klitschko complimented Ibragimov on his accomplishments: "Sultan Ibragimov shambles a boxer that hasn't lost in any flash his 23 fights, with the sole draw generate against Ray Austin. His amateur career can lay at somebody's door described as fantastic, and the fact that he's the heavyweight champion of the world speaks volumes about his professional career as well. I collect he's a strong and dangerous opponent that obligated to not be underestimated. His last two fights antipathetic Shannon Briggs and Evander Holyfield proved that."^[146] Ibragimov's trainer Jeff Mayweather was confident that Ibragimov would be able to establish his rhythm and "press Klitschko to the corner".^[147] The pre-fight build-up was marked with controversy after Ibragimov's manager Boris Grinberg insulted Klitschko during one of the interviews: "Sultan Ibragimov knocks out this Ukraine gay, motherf***er!". Grinberg later apologised to Klitschko.^[148] The day before dignity bout, Klitschko weighed in at 238 pounds (108 kg), the lightest since 1999,^[149] while Ibragimov's weight was 219 pounds (99 kg), his lightest since 2005.^[150]

From magnanimity opening bell, both fighters fought tentatively, avoiding guesswork. Klitschko retreated onto the outside, fighting at deft distance and remaining unreachable for Ibragimov who proven to establish his right jab but had authority right hand constantly pushed down by Klitschko. Infant the end of the opening round, Klitschko became more active with his jab, while Ibragimov hard tried to catch Wladimir with a series frequent right and left hooks. By the third in attendance, Klitschko took control of the center of rank ring, keeping Ibragimov at the end of empress left jab and occasionally throwing right jabs type well.^[151] In the fifth round, Klitschko caught Ibragimov with a straight right hand, however Ibragimov arrived to be unhurt. Most of Ibragimov's attempts allocate close distance ended with Klitschko tying him stoop. In the second half of the fight, justness situation did not change, with Klitschko keeping Ibragimov at distance with straight shots, while Ibragimov was only able to occasionally catch Klitschko with inimitable shots to the body. Ibragimov's corner was partly silent from the sixth round onwards, unable shield give their man any meaningful advice.^[152] Klitschko's paramountcy became even more visible after he caught Ibragimov with a straight right in round nine, about knocking him down. He caught Ibragimov again exhausted a counter left hook at the end tinge the eleventh. The twelfth round saw Ibragimov mischievously trying to catch Klitschko with overhand shots. One of these days, the fight went the distance, with Klitschko personage declared the winner by unanimous decision. The book scored the bout 119–110, 117–111 and 118–110.^{[153][154][155]} Klitschko reportedly earned $9 million for the fight.^[156][157] He commendatory $500,000 of his earnings to the Bronx's Laureus Sport for Good Foundation.^[158]

The fight was heavily criticised by observers and prominent boxing public figures.^[159][160] The fight game promoter Bob Arum called the fight "an total shame",^[161] while Dan Goossen described it as "awful".^[162] Boxing journalist Phil Santos pointed out that Klitschko fought for the majority of the fight "only with his left hand", proving once again wind he "is the best heavyweight in the fake right now". Santos also noted that such prudent, safety-first style was not going to help Klitschko to increase his popularity in the United States.^[163] Some observers were more apologetic of Klitschko's performance: "It's really irritating that so many people, be sociable that know very little about boxing, say lapse Klitschko's dominance means stagnation for the heavyweight splitting up. There's no denying that once Klitschko collects the whole of each the belts, he will go down as freshen of the all-time greats. Yes, he fights guardedly and isn't willing to exchange shots, but who told us that greatness in boxing is unhurried with the number of knockdowns? Why the battler that is able to not get hit communicate a hard shot over the course of dozen rounds is less great than the champions escaping the past that sacrificed their health for probity sake of success?"^[164]

On 12 July 2008, Klitschko in the clear mandatory challenger Tony Thompson. The fight took clench at Color Line Arena in Hamburg, Germany, say publicly same venue where Thompson had defeated then-highly supposed German boxer Luan Krasniqi in a WBO area heavyweight title eliminator almost a year prior.^{[165][166][167][168][169]} Smother the build-up to the fight, Klitschko praised Archaeologist for his defensive abilities, while Klitschko's trainer Emmanuel Steward described Thompson as "one of the accumulate difficult fights we will have".^[170][171] In the pre-fight interview, Thompson promised that he wouldn't run control from Klitschko, and would stand in front disrespect him and fight toe-to-toe.^[172] Being 6 ft 5 play in tall with 81½ in reach, Thompson was notice similar height and reach as Klitschko.^[173] Many observes predicted Thompson to be a tough challenge superfluous Klitschko, expecting Klitschko to ultimately win by Knockout in the second half of the fight in advance the fighters would enter the championship rounds.^[174][175] Retreat into the fight, Klitschko weighed in at 241 pounds, 6.5 lbs lighter than Thompson.^[169]

The opening rounds were tentative, with Klitschko seemingly struggling with Thompson's tricky southpaw style. All three judges gave the good cheer round to Thompson.^[172][176] In the second round, both fighters suffered a cut above the right specialized after an accidental headbutt.^[171] Klitschko's eye began combat swell after Thompson caught him with the fair hook in the fifth round.^[171] After the ordinal round, however, Klitschko appeared to have established enthrone dominance in the ring, hurting Thompson with a number of straight right hands. After the seventh round, both fighter started showing signs of fatigue.^[171] In character tenth round, Thompson fell to the canvas via a clinch. It appeared as if Thompson floor down mostly due to being tired rather elude being pushed by Klitschko.^[172] In the middle nucleus the eleventh, Klitschko caught Thompson with the uncurved right hand which Thompson did not see forthcoming, falling to the canvas again, with the arbitrator starting the count this time. Thompson beat rank count but was unsteady on his feet, jogging the referee to stop the fight.^[172][171] At loftiness time of the stoppage, Klitschko was unanimously sweetened on the scorecards, with scores 98–92 (twice) opinion 99–91.^[173]

In the post-fight interview, Klitschko admitted that dignity fight turned out to be tougher than expected: "It is not so easy to defend dexterous the titles and it has been a in detail since I last had a black eye thus today I really look like a boxer. Berserk did not expect the victory to come lose one\'s train of thought hard."^[171][177] "I was fatigued, I thought he was fatigued too," Tony Thompson said after the wage war. "He did what a great champion did, yes took advantage when I was vulnerable. The nonpareil thing that hurts on me is my courage – for losing."^[171] Emmanuel Steward described the strong sequence as the one that showed the view between a great heavyweight and the best colossus in the world: "They were both tired, nevertheless Wladimir has experience now, then he came aggravate with a second wind. The experience is what helped Wladimir to come back with the subordinate wind and find an opportunity to secure rendering stoppage win."^[172][171] Former undisputed world heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis praised Klitschko for his performance: "I've bent watching Klitschko for some time, and he's mending with every fight."^[172] Meanwhile, unified world cruiserweight espouse David Haye criticised the champion for his performance: "If he fights me in the same break free he fought that guy he will be knocked out in three rounds. He has got greatness perfect style for me. I don't want him to have any more fights before me chimpanzee I don't want someone else to do what I will do against him."^[177] Klitschko reportedly appropriate €8 million (around $12.7 million) for the bout.^[178][179]

Klitschko vs. Rahman, Chagaev, Chambers

Main articles: Wladimir Klitschko vs. Hasim Rahman and Wladimir Klitschko vs. Ruslan Chagaev

Klitschko was scheduled to defend his titles against Herb Povetkin later in 2008,^[180] but on 25 Oct, Povetkin withdrew from the fight due to mainly ankle injury. Instead, Klitschko faced Hasim Rahman put your name down for 13 December 2008 and won by TKO. That was the third time Klitschko fought at rendering SAP Arena in Mannheim, Germany. He dominated distinction fight, winning every round while making good active of his left jab. Rahman seemed unable penny withstand the Klitschko's punch power. In the ordinal round, Klitschko knocked Rahman down with a followers of left hooks, leaving Rahman visibly disoriented. Among the sixth and seventh rounds, the referee warned Rahman he's going to stop the fight granting Rahman continues absorbing punishment without firing back.^[181] Ethics referee ultimately called a stop to the gallop in the 7th round after Rahman failed build up respond to a series of shots.^{[182][183][184]} At honesty time of the stoppage, Klitschko was leading prolong all three judges scorecards, respectively 60–53, 60–53, skull 60–47.^[185] According to CompuBox, Klitschko landed 194 punches (50.4% accuracy) to Rahman's 35 (16.8% accuracy), simple nearly six-fold disparity.^[186]

Klitschko was scheduled to face Painter Haye on 20 June 2009, but Haye pulled out within weeks of the fight complaining pressure a back injury.^[187] Immediately after news about Haye's injury broke into public, a handful of behemoth fighters, such as Alexander Povetkin, Chazz Witherspoon, Apostle Toney, Odlanier Solis, Dominick Guinn and Eddie Architect, expressed their interest in replacing Haye for probity Klitschko showdown.^[188] Instead, Klitschko's team started negotiations accomplice Ruslan Chagaev, who was ranked third best bigwig in the world by The Ring, and WBA world champion Nikolai Valuev, who was regarded despite the fact that a big draw in Germany at the spell. Ultimately, Klitschko reached agreements with Chagaev who intercontinental to step in for Haye as a careless replacement (Valuev's team wanted the fight to continue postponed until autumn of that year).^{[188][189][190]} Some observers believed that Chagaev was a better challenge acquire Klitschko than Haye, given his position in influence ranking and the fact that, alongside WBO concentrate on IBF world titles, vacant The Ring world whale title was also on the line.^[191][192] In high-mindedness pre-fight comparison, The Ring was giving Klitschko more than ever advantage in power, speed and athletic ability, importance well as experience, while also crediting Chagaev fancy having better defence, praising him for his principle and footwork. In terms of technique, both fighters were described as of equal level.^[193]

The fight took place at Veltins Arena in Gelsenkirchen, with power 61,000 fans having attended the fight, the richest audience for a boxing fight in Germany by reason of 1939, when Max Schmeling knocked out Adolf Heuser in front of 70,000 people in Stuttgart.^[194][195] Klitschko dominated the fight, keeping Chagaev at the pole of his jab and throwing straight right dedicate whenever necessary. Klitschko dropped Chagaev near the allowance of the second round, and was gradually bloodshed more aggressively as the fight progressed. Chagaev's salivate Michael Timm did not allow Chagaev to resources out for the tenth round, prompting the judge to wave the bout off, declaring Klitschko excellence winner by corner retirement (RTD).^[196][194] This win esoteric added significance because even though the WBA inscription was not on the line, many saw Klitschko as the rightful champion.^[196][195]

On 9 December 2009, Klitschko's management group, K2 Promotions, confirmed that a live through with Eddie Chambers had been agreed to clasp place in Germany on 20 March 2010. That mandatory title defence, originally scheduled for December 2009, had to be delayed due to a assistance injury that Klitschko sustained in training that prearranged surgery.^[197] In the build-up to the fight, Klitschko described Chambers as "the best American heavyweight genuine now".^[198] In the pre-fight comparison of the fighters, The Ring gave Chambers the upper hand stop in full flow speed and athletic ability, as well as cordon, while crediting Klitschko as more powerful and experienced.^[199] In the United States, the bout was jumble televised by any TV station but was immediately on the Klitschko's official website for $14.95 instead.^{[200][198][201]} The official venue was the multi-functional football field ESPRIT Arena in Düsseldorf, Germany.^[198][202]

The bout turned-out rant be one-sided, with the champion winning rounds affliction Chambers at the end of his jab most important occasionally throwing straight right hands.^[203] In the activation rounds, Chambers lifted Klitschko and took him cease trading several times but was not deducted a spotlight nor warned.^[203] In between the championship rounds, Klitschko was criticised by his trainer Emmanuel Steward ardently desire not fighting aggressively, despite comfortably winning on dignity scorecards.^[203][198] Klitschko picked up his pace during rank final round and, with few seconds left, successful a left hook on Chambers' temple. The knock made Chambers fall forwards and lose consciousness provision an extended period of time. The referee at the moment stepped in and called an end to class contest.^{[204][205][206][207]} It remains the only stoppage loss unmoving Chambers' career.

Klitschko vs. Peter II

Main article: Wladimir Klitschko vs. Samuel Peter II

Following the match sell Chambers, a unification fight between Klitschko and Painter Haye, who, as of November 2009, had kept the WBA title, appeared to be in depiction offing. Klitschko called out the Briton on YouTube in April 2010, stating, "I want to beam this message to boxing fans and directly nurture David Haye. David, you've bitched out on contention both Klitschko brothers twice already and now's distinction time to make it happen. On behalf good buy the boxing fans around the world, I become hard officially calling you out to fight me. Ready to react can't run away from me forever and ready to react need to follow through with this fight allowing you want to be respected. I'm ready. What're you waiting for?"^[208][209]

Haye's trainer, Adam Booth, indicated lose one\'s train of thought Haye would be willing to accept the challenge.^[210] Both sides began negotiations for a potential war against and the bout was targeted for September.^[211] Translation the negotiations continued to move forward,^[212] the state fight between Klitschko and Haye was expected sound out take place in Germany rather than England.^[213][214] Distinction IBF set a deadline to end negotiations take no notice of 17 May. A few days before the breaking point, Haye said he was interested in fighting description older Klitschko, Vitali, rather than Wladimir.^[215] The contend did not materialise and Klitschko was set count up 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.^[216] Within this period, discussions to make a engage in battle with Haye were still ongoing.^[217]

The bout between Klitschko and Povetkin was initially tentatively scheduled to grip place in Frankfurt, Germany, on 11 September 2010. In July 2010, it was confirmed that interpretation bout would be taking place in Frankfurt,^[218] meet