Vitali Klitschko is a professional boxer from the Ukraine who is the current WBC World heavyweight champion. This three-time, world heavyweight champion has never been knocked out or down in a professional bout. His brother, Wladimir Klitschko is the current IBF, WBO, IBO and Ring Magazine World heavyweight champion.
Klitschko was an amateur kick boxer before turning pro in 1996, recording 43 victories and two losses with 40 by knock outs in his kickboxing career. He also started his pro boxing career in 1996, a year after he won the super heavyweight championship at the first World Military Games in Italy in 1995. A chance to join the team for the Atlanta Olympics was foiled when he tested positive for banned steroids which he attributed to the treatment of a leg injury. His brother Wlamidir took his place on the team instead. He won his first 24 professional fights. He and his brother moved to Germany after signing up with Universum and since then have become national favorites in their adopted country. In 1999 Klitschko won the WBO heavyweight title with his victory over Herbie Hide with a KO in the second round.
After moving to LA in 2004, he captured the World Boxing Council heavyweight championship vacated by Lewis. He announced his retirement in 2005, after suffering from a series of injuries that caused the postponement of several fights. However, he returned to the ring in 2008, defeating Samuel Peter who was defending his WBC belt.
Aside from being a professional athlete Klitschko is a politician as well. He leads the Ukrainian Democratic Alliance for Reform, a political party. He is also a member of the Ukrainian delegation to the Congress of the Councils in Europe, and the first professional boxing world champion to hold a Ph.D. For all his achievements he was awarded the Federal Cross of Merit, the highest award in Germany.
Overall, Klitschko has defended his WBC heavyweight championship for a whopping six times. Although Klitschko was able to take a four-year break from the sport, he has proven that despite going on a hiatus, he is still quite capable to defeat up and coming boxers.
