Wladimir Klitschko facts for kids

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In this article, the patronymic is Volodýmyrovych and the family name is Klychkó.

Quick facts for kids

Wladimir Klitschko

Володимир Кличко

Klitschko in 2023

Born

25 March 1976 (age 49)

Semipalatinsk, Kazakh SSR, Soviet Union

Nationality

Ukrainian

Relatives

Vitali Klitschko (brother)

Military career

Allegiance

Ukraine

Service/branch

Ukrainian Army

Years of service

2022–present

Battles/wars

Russian invasion of Ukraine

Wladimir Klitschko

Statistics

Nickname(s)

Dr. Steelhammer

Rated at

Heavyweight

Height

1.98 m

Reach

206cm

Stance

Orthodox

Boxing record

Total fights

Wins

Wins by KO

Losses

Medal record

Men's amateur boxing

Representing Ukraine
Olympic Games
Gold	1996 Atlanta	Super-heavyweight
European Championships
Silver	1996 Vejle	Super-heavyweight
Junior European Championships
Gold	1993 Saloniki	Heavyweight
Military World Championships
Gold	1995 Ariccia	Heavyweight
Junior World Championships
Silver	1994 Turkey	Heavyweight
Military World Games
Gold	1995 Rome	Heavyweight

Wladimir Klitschko (born March 25, 1976) is a famous Ukrainian former professional boxer. He competed from 1996 to 2017. He held many heavyweight world championships between 2000 and 2015. He was known for his powerful punches and smart boxing style. Many people think he is one of the greatest heavyweight champions ever.

Wladimir was very good at knocking out his opponents. He used a strong jab, a straight right hand, and a left hook. He also had quick hands and was very strong. Even for a big boxer, he moved very well on his feet.

As an amateur boxer, Wladimir represented Ukraine at the 1996 Olympics. He won a gold medal in the super-heavyweight division. He finished his amateur career with 134 wins and only 6 losses. After becoming a professional boxer, he won his first world title in 2000.

Wladimir and his older brother, Vitali Klitschko, were both world champions. They were so dominant that their time in boxing is often called the "Klitschko Era." Wladimir holds records for the longest time as a heavyweight champion (over 12 years). He also beat the most different fighters for a world heavyweight title (23). In 2021, he was added to the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

Early Life and Education

Wladimir Klitschko was born in Semipalatinsk, which is now called Semey, in Kazakhstan. His father, Vladimir Rodionovich Klitschko, was a major general in the Soviet Air Force. He was also a military leader in East Germany. Wladimir is the younger brother of Vitali Klitschko, who is also a famous boxer and the current Mayor of Kyiv.

His father helped clean up after the Chernobyl disaster in 1986. Later, he was diagnosed with cancer. The Klitschko brothers lived in Czechoslovakia from 1980 to 1985 because their father was stationed there.

Both Wladimir and Vitali have PhDs in sports science. Wladimir's PhD focused on how much training young athletes (aged 14-19) should do based on their body development. Because of their PhDs, Wladimir is called "Dr. Steelhammer," and Vitali is called "Dr. Ironfist."

Amateur Boxing Career

Wladimir started training in amateur boxing in the late 1980s. In 1993, he won the Junior European Championships. The next year, he placed second at the Junior World Championships in Turkey. In 1995, he won a gold medal at the Military Championships in Italy.

In 1996, he won second place at the European Championships in Denmark. Later that year, he became famous at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia. He won the gold medal in the Super-Heavyweight division. His amateur record was 134 wins and 6 losses.

Amateur Highlights

Here are some of Wladimir Klitschko's notable achievements as an amateur boxer:

1993 Junior European Championships (Gold Medal): He won gold in Thessaloniki, Greece.
- Defeated Irakli Fakadze (Georgia) 5–1
- Defeated Valentin Savescu (Romania) RSC 2
- Defeated Sergey Lopatinskiy (Russia) 5–2
1994 Junior World Championships (Silver Medal): He took second place in Istanbul, Turkey.
- Defeated Constantin Onofrei (Romania) 14–5
- Defeated Rustam Tursenkhanov (Kazakhstan) 11–9
- Defeated Andrey Kombarov (Russia) 8–4
- Lost to Michel López Núñez (Cuba) 2–7 in the finals
1995 World Military Championships (Gold Medal): He won gold in Ariccia, Italy.
- Defeated Song-Geoi Jang (North Korea) 14–2
- Defeated Igor Kshinin (Russia) RSC 2
- Defeated Sinan Şamil Sam (Turkey) 12–2
- Defeated Luan Krasniqi (Germany) 13–12 in the finals
1996 European Championships (Silver Medal): He won silver in Vejle, Denmark.
- Defeated Sean Murphy (Ireland) DQ 2
- Defeated Adalat Mamedov (Azerbaijan) RSC 3
- Defeated Attila Levin (Sweden) 7–0
- Lost to Alexei Lezin (Russia) 1–6 in the finals
1996 Olympic Games (Gold Medal): He won gold in Atlanta, Georgia.
- Defeated Lawrence Clay-Bey (United States) 10–8
- Defeated Attila Levin (Sweden) RSC 1
- Defeated Alexei Lezin (Russia) 4–1
- Defeated Paea Wolfgramm (Tonga) 7–3 in the finals

Professional Boxing Career

Wladimir Klitschko started his professional career in Hamburg, Germany. He trained with Fritz Sdunek. He won his first 24 fights, with 21 knockouts.

First Loss and Comeback

In 1998, Wladimir suffered his first professional loss to Ross Puritty in Ukraine. His trainer stopped the fight in the eleventh round. Three years later, his brother Vitali beat Puritty in the eleventh round. In 2000, Wladimir fought Paea Wolfgramm again, whom he had beaten in the Olympics. Wladimir knocked him out in the first round.

Winning the WBO Title

On October 14, 2000, Wladimir fought Chris Byrd for the WBO heavyweight title. Byrd had won the title from Wladimir's brother Vitali earlier that year. Wladimir won the WBO world heavyweight title by a clear decision, knocking Byrd down twice. This fight was called "Revenge Of The Brother."

Wladimir defended his WBO title against Derrick Jefferson in March 2001. He knocked Jefferson down three times and won by TKO in the second round. His next defense was against Charles Shufford in August 2001. Wladimir knocked Shufford down three times and won in the sixth round.

More Title Defenses

Klitschko went back to Germany to defend his title against Francois Botha in March 2002. Wladimir knocked Botha down with a left hook in the eighth round, and the referee stopped the fight.

In June 2002, Wladimir fought Ray Mercer, an Olympic gold medalist. Wladimir dominated Mercer, knocking him down in the first round and stopping him in the sixth. Wladimir was the first boxer to stop Mercer before the final bell.

His sixth defense was against Jameel McCline in December 2002. Wladimir won almost every round using his jab and good footwork. He knocked McCline down in the tenth round, and McCline's team stopped the fight before the eleventh round.

Tough Losses and New Trainer

In March 2003, Wladimir lost his WBO title to Corrie Sanders. Sanders knocked him down four times, and the fight was stopped in the second round. This was a big upset.

After this loss, Wladimir hired a famous boxing trainer named Emanuel Steward. Steward helped Wladimir change his style to be more defensive. In April 2004, Wladimir fought Lamon Brewster for the vacant WBO title. Wladimir was winning early but became very tired in the fifth round. The referee stopped the fight for Wladimir's safety. After the fight, Wladimir was taken to the hospital. Doctors found his blood sugar was very high.

Journey Back to the Top

After his loss to Brewster, Wladimir started his climb back. He fought DaVarryl Williamson in October 2004. Wladimir won by a technical decision after an accidental headbutt caused a cut above his eye.

In September 2005, Wladimir fought Samuel Peter in a very important fight. Peter was a strong, undefeated boxer. Wladimir was knocked down three times in the fight, but he kept fighting. He won the fight by a clear decision, showing great determination. This win helped him become a top challenger again.

Becoming a Two-Time World Champion

On April 22, 2006, Wladimir fought Chris Byrd for the IBF heavyweight title. Wladimir had beaten Byrd before. Wladimir won by TKO in the seventh round, becoming a world champion for the second time.

He defended his new titles against Calvin Brock in November 2006. Wladimir won by TKO in the seventh round. In March 2007, he defended against Ray Austin, winning by knockout in the second round.

Unifying the Titles

In July 2007, Wladimir got revenge on Lamon Brewster, beating him in the sixth round.

On February 23, 2008, Wladimir fought Sultan Ibragimov in a fight to unify the IBF, IBO, and WBO heavyweight titles. This was a big event because it was the first heavyweight unification fight in many years. Wladimir won by a clear decision, adding the WBO title to his collection.

In July 2008, Wladimir defended his titles against Tony Thompson. Wladimir won by knockout in the eleventh round. He said the fight was tougher than he expected.

More Dominant Wins

In December 2008, Wladimir was supposed to fight Alexander Povetkin, but Povetkin got injured. Wladimir instead fought Hasim Rahman and won by TKO in the seventh round.

In June 2009, Wladimir was scheduled to fight David Haye, but Haye pulled out due to injury. Ruslan Chagaev stepped in as a last-minute replacement. Wladimir won by stopping Chagaev in the ninth round. This win also earned him The Ring magazine heavyweight title.

In March 2010, Wladimir defended his titles against Eddie Chambers. Wladimir dominated the fight and knocked Chambers out in the twelfth round with a powerful left hook.

The Big Fight Against David Haye

After many talks, Wladimir Klitschko finally fought David Haye on July 2, 2011. This was a huge fight to unify the WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, IBO, and Ring magazine heavyweight titles. The fight took place in Hamburg, Germany, and was watched by millions around the world. Wladimir won by a clear decision. After this win, Wladimir and his brother Vitali held all the major heavyweight titles at the same time, which was a historic achievement.

Final Defenses and Retirement

Wladimir continued to defend his titles against many opponents, including Jean-Marc Mormeck (2012), Tony Thompson (rematch, 2012), Mariusz Wach (2012), Francesco Pianeta (2013), Alexander Povetkin (2013), Alex Leapai (2014), Kubrat Pulev (2014), and Bryant Jennings (2015). He won all these fights, mostly by knockout or clear decision.

In November 2015, Wladimir faced undefeated Tyson Fury. Wladimir lost the fight by decision, ending his long reign as champion. This marked the end of the "Klitschko Era" in heavyweight boxing. A rematch was planned, but Fury postponed it twice and then gave up his titles.

Klitschko vs. Anthony Joshua

On April 29, 2017, Wladimir Klitschko fought Anthony Joshua for the WBA (Super), IBF, and vacant IBO titles at Wembley Stadium in London. This was a massive fight with 90,000 fans watching. It was a very exciting match. Wladimir was knocked down in the fifth round but came back to knock Joshua down in the sixth. Both fighters showed great courage. In the eleventh round, Joshua attacked Wladimir with powerful punches, knocking him down twice. The referee stopped the fight, giving Joshua the win.

On August 3, 2017, Wladimir Klitschko announced his retirement from boxing. He finished his professional career with 64 wins in 69 fights, with 53 knockouts. He competed in 29 world title fights.

Legacy and Achievements

Wladimir Klitschko's fights were watched by hundreds of millions of people worldwide. He was often listed among the highest-paid athletes by Forbes magazine. He is also known for his charity work. He is one of only 15 athletes named UNESCO Champions for Sport.

In Ukraine, his fights were watched by millions. He has been named one of the most influential people in Ukraine many times. In 2017, he received the Order of Liberty, Ukraine's highest honor, for his sports achievements.

The Klitschko brothers were also very popular in Germany. Almost 99% of people in Germany recognized them. Many of Wladimir's fights had over 10 million viewers in Germany.

Wladimir holds several boxing records:

He has the longest combined time as a world heavyweight champion (4,382 days, or 12 years).
He beat the most different opponents for a world heavyweight championship (23).
He has the most wins in unified title fights (15) and the longest unified championship reign (14 defenses).
He has the second most successful title defenses of any heavyweight boxer (23), just behind Joe Louis (25).
He fought in 29 world heavyweight title fights, more than any other boxer in history.

BoxRec, a boxing record website, ranks Wladimir Klitschko as the tenth greatest heavyweight boxer of all time. He has beaten 12 undefeated fighters and 9 current or former world champions. In 2021, he was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

Other Interests

Wladimir Klitschko enjoys playing golf. He has played in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in Scotland. He was also chosen to be the curator for the Ukrainian pavilion at the Venice Biennale in 2009, which is a big art exhibition.

As of 2015, Wladimir was a professor at Switzerland's University of St. Gallen. He taught master's students there.

Personal Life

From 2009, Wladimir was in a relationship with American actress Hayden Panettiere. They got engaged in 2013 and had a daughter in December 2014. They later split up but remained on good terms for their daughter.

In December 2013, Wladimir and Hayden visited the Euromaidan protests in Kyiv. His brother Vitali was a leader in these protests. Wladimir and Hayden spoke to the crowds.

Wladimir and Vitali Klitschko have never fought each other in a professional match. Their mother made them promise they never would.

Wladimir speaks four languages: English, German, Russian, and Ukrainian. He was friends with the late German heavyweight boxing legend Max Schmeling.

In March 2012, Wladimir auctioned off his 1996 Olympic gold medal for $1 million at a charity event in Kyiv. He said he would use the money to help Ukrainian children. The buyer gave the medal back to Wladimir out of respect.

In February 2022, Wladimir joined the Kyiv Territorial Defense Brigade, a part of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Both he and his brother Vitali promised to fight to protect Kyiv during Russia's invasion of Ukraine. In March 2022, the brothers announced they had raised €100 million to support Ukraine through a fundraising campaign in Germany.

Images for kids

Klitschko in 2004
Klitschko vs. Hasim Rahman, 2008
Wladimir and Vitali with every title in the heavyweight division, 2012. Left to right: The Ring, IBF, IBO, WBO, WBC, and WBA.
Klitschko in 2010
Klitschko in 2017
The Klitschko brothers on a 2010 Ukrainian stamp
Klitschko in 2018