Wladimir Klitschko is a legendary Ukrainian heavyweight boxer who dominated the boxing world from 2007 to 2015. Wladimir had 69 professional fights, which reflects the overall impact of the Ukrainian.
Wladimir Klitschko’s Basics Details
| Basics | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Wladimir Klitschko |
| Born | 25 March 1976 |
| Age | 49 years |
| Birth Place | Semipalatinsk, the Soviet Union |
| Nationality | Ukrainian |
| Ethnicity | Ukrainian (Slavic) |
| Faith | Christian |
| Nickname | Dr. Steelhammer |
| Height | 6 feet and 6 inches |
| Weight | 111 kg |
| Reach | 81 inches |
| Eye Colour | Blue |
| Hair Colour | Light Brown |
| Shoe Size | 11 (US) |
Wladimir Klitschko’s Age
Wladimir Klitschko was born on 25 March 1976 in Semipalatinsk, the Soviet Union. Semipalatinsk is a part of modern-day Kazakhstan. However, his family settled in Ukraine. Wladimir’s age is 49 years. He is a fitness freak, taking care of his physical outlook utterly well by doing gymming, running and yoga.
Wladimir Klitschko Childhood, Parents and Siblings
Wladimir Klitschko was born in Semipalatinsk. His father worked for the Soviet Air Force. Hence, he grew up in Ukraine and Germany. He was raised with a cultural background of a Ukrainian. Wladimir’s childhood was decent financially and utterly disciplined.
- Vladimir Rodionovich Klitschko is the father of Wladimir. He served the Soviet Air Force as a military pilot. Vladimir left this world in 2011.
- Nadezhda Ulyanovna Klitschko, who is a retired school teacher, is the mother of Wladimir.
- Boxing legend Vitali Klitschko is the elder brother of Wladimir. Vitali is also a retired heavyweight champion. However, he never battled with his brother. They are the biggest supporters of each other and are one of the most successful boxing siblings.
Wladimir Klitschko Educational Background
Wladimir Klitschko is a well-educated sports star. It is very unusual in the world of boxing.
From the National University of Physical Education and Sport of Ukraine in Kyiv, Wladimir did his Sports Science PhD (Doctorate). It is the reason behind his boxing nickname, Dr Steelhammer. The Doctorate indicates the Dr. initial, and Steelhammer comes from his ability to land heavy punches.
Wladimir’s schooling took place in Germany and Ukraine. Wladimir is fluent in four languages: Ukrainian, Russian, German and English.
Wladimir Klitschko Wife and Children
Wladimir Klitschko does not have a wife as he has never married. Klitschko is the father of a daughter, Kaya Evdokia Klitschko.
Kaya’s mother, Hayden Panettiere, is a famous American actress and singer. Wladimir and Hayden separated in 2018.
Amateur Boxing Career
Anatoly Lomachenko, who is the father of the great Vasiliy Lomachenko, was Wladimir’s boxing trainer during his school days. During his Olympic days, Vladimir Zolotaryov was his trainer.
Wladimir’s amateur career, as a boxer, is impressive. It was Vitali Klitschko who influenced Wladimir to see a future in this hard-hitting sport.
Wladimir had 140 amateur fights, winning 134 and losing just six times.
At the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, Wladimir won the gold medal in the super-heavyweight division.
Wladimir dominated the Amateur boxing world, just like the professionals.
Professional Career of Wladimir Klitschko
In 1996, Wladimir Klitschko turned professional. His career lasted until 2017 as a pro boxer. Wladimir had 64 wins and just five losses in 60 pro boxing contests.
Wladimir’s journey in the professional boxing world did not go as planned in the beginning.
- From 1996 to 2004, Wladimir had 46 battles. He lost three times despite not challenging world-class opponents.
- Ross Puritty, Corrie Sanders and Lamon Brewster all defeated him by TKO (once each). It led the fans to feel that Wladimir would not become a boxing great.
Then in 2004, he made Emanuel Steward his lead trainer. This changed the career of Wladimir to the core.
- In 2006, he became the IBF Heavyweight Champion. It was the seven-round TKO victory over Chris Byrd. He won the WBO title in 2000. But back then, the WBO did not have the same credibility as at present.
- He then added WBO, IBF, IBO and The Ring heavyweight titles.
- Wladimir never went for the WBC title was it was associated with his brother.
- From 2004 until April 2015, Wladimir had a massive unbeaten winning run. During this period, he beat massive names like David Haye, Alexander Povetkin and Kubrat Pulev.
- On 28 November 2015, Tyson Fury went to Germany and outboxed Klitschko for all 12 rounds. They had a rematch on the cards, but Fury went into depression in 2016. And this led the rematch to not take place.
- On 29 April 2017, he had his last career fight against Anthony Joshua. It was one of the best boxing evenings of the modern era. Wladimir lost the fight by the 11th round TKO in London, England.
Wladimir, from 2004 to 2015, made sure that the heavyweight division stayed active in Germany than in the United States.
Criticism
Despite winning several fights by knockout, Dana White and many notable boxing fans did not like the way Wladimir fought. They felt that he went too defensive to control the fights.
Serving the Ukrainian Army
In early 2022, Russia and Ukraine went to war. Since then, Wladimir Klitschko has been working hard to make sure that they can fund the army and use his influence to make sure that aid can come to Ukraine.
Wladimir has been working in the army to help his country come out of the dark clouds. It has made Wladimir a national hero and a true boxing icon.
Wladimir Klitschko Social Media
Wladimir Klitschko has over 2.5 million followers combined on X, Instagram and TikTok. He utilises the platform to make sure that Ukraine can stand ahead.
- Instagram: @klitschko
- X: @Klitschko
- TikTok: @klitschko
Net Worth of Wladimir Klitschko
Wladimir Klitschko is a rich boxing legend. His net worth is updated to around USD 65 million. In his last pro fight against AJ, Wladimir made USD 17 million. It was his biggest payday.
Wladimir uses the money with care and has backed his nation a lot in the last few years.
Trivia
- Wladimir Klitschko had 53 wins as a pro by KO/TKO.
- After retiring from boxing, he became a motivational speaker and leadership coach.
- He wrote a PhD thesis while dominating the world of boxing.
- Despite being called boring, he was able to sell out several fights in Europe.
- He still wants to have his rematch against Tyson Fury.
- Klitschko is a bit camera-shy.
- Klitschko is the only heavyweight champion to have a PhD degree.
FAQs
Who was better, Vitali or Wladimir?
Wladimir had a better amateur and professional career than his brother, Vitali Klitschko.
How did Hayden Panettiere meet Wladimir Klitschko?
Hayden Panettiere met Wladimir Klitschko at a book lunch party back in 2009. Diana Jenkins was their mutual friend, who helped them get to know each other for the first time.
What kind of doctor is Wladimir Klitschko?
Wladimir Klitschko is a PhD in sports science.
Are Hayden Panettiere and Wladimir Klitschko still together?
Hayden Panettiere and Wladimir Klitschko got separated in 2018.
Who is Wladimir Klitschko’s wife?
Hayden Panettiere was Wladimir Klitschko’s partner in the 2010s. But they did not get married. Wladimir has not married yet.
Also Read About: Wladimir Klitschko Daughter (Kaya Evdokia Klitschko): Biography, Age, Family, Life Story, Career, Net Worth & More
