Vitali Klitschko is a Ukrainian professional Heavyweight boxer, and is the current WBC Heavyweight champion. His brother, Wladimir Klitschko, is the current IBF, WBO, IBO and ring magazine world Heavyweight champion. Vitali is the first professional boxer to hold a PhD in sports medicine, and is currently slated to face Chris “Nightmare” Arreola on September 26, 2009

Amateur Career:

Vitali Klitschko actually started his career as a professional kick boxer. It wasn’t until 1995 where he won the Heavyweight championship in the World Military games hosted in Italy in 1995. Later that year, Vitali won a silver medal at the 1995 World Amateur Boxing Championships in Berlin, Germany. Vitali Klitschko ended his amateur career with 195 wins, 15 losses, and 80 knockouts.

Hands of Iron:

Vitali Klitschko began his professional boxing career in 1996. Klitschko was able to win the first twenty-four fights by either early knockout or technical decision. His immense size and power enabled him to earn the nickname, “Dr. Iron Fist.” Eventually Vitali signed with German-Athlete promotion company Universum. As a well educated man, Vitali in time became a national celebrity in Germany; which he adopted as his home country.

“Dr. Iron Fist” earned his first title shot against Herbie Hide on June 26, 1999. Klitschko was able to win the WBO Heavyweight title by a second round knockout. VItali Klitschko then had two successful title defenses against Ed Mahone and Obed Sullivan. He was able to demolish both of them by technical knockouts, which enabled him to line up a fight against American Chris Byrd.

“Dr. Iron Fist” and Chris Byrd stepped into the ring on April 1, 2001. However, with Klitschko leading on all scorecards, he complained of shoulder pain at the start of the fourth round. Vitali and his corner threw in the towel after the ninth round despite carrying a lead on all three judges’ scorecards. Vitali Klitschko was later diagnosed with a torn rotator cuff.

Vitali Klitschko vs Lennox Lewis:

After Vitali’s first professional loss, he went on to face five other opponents; reeling a total of five victories. This earned him a title shot against Lennox Lewis for the WBC Heavyweight Championship. On June 21, 2003, both fighters stepped into the ring with Klitschko a 4 to 1 underdog.

Klitschko dominated the fight early, as he stunned Lewis with two hard right hands during the second round. During the third round, Lewis landed a bone crushing right hand that opened a deep cut above Klitschko’s left eye. Vitali was able to regain control of the fight, but continued to bleed heavily from the opened cut. Before the seventh round, the ring doctor declared the wound severe enough to sustain eye damage if struck again.

The fight was eventually stopped after the sixth round despite Klitschko’s plea to continue. Vitali Klitschko was ahead on all three judges’ scorecards at the time of stoppage. And because the cut was caused by a punch and not a head-butt, Lewis earned the technical knockout. However, with Klitschko requesting a rematch, he never would get his revenge. Lennox Lewis announced his retirement in 2003.

Earning what’s deserved:

Vitali Klitschko rebounded from his loss to Lewis with a victory over Kirk Johnson. This match, which was won by a Klitschko technical knockout in round two, was part of an elimination bout. This victory earned Vital a shot against Corrie Sanders (who recently knockout Wladimir Klitschko) for the WBC Heavyweight title.

During the fight, Klitschko was rocked early by Sanders. Klitschko regained control of the fight by using movement and strong punching to break down Sanders forcing the referee to stop the bout in round eight. Vitali earned the WBC Heavyweight title and the Ring Magazine belt.

“Dr. Iron Fist’s” first title defense was against British boxer Danny Williams (who came off a recent win against Mike Tyson). The mismatched fighters stepped into the ring on December 11, 2004. Klitschko was able to walk all over Danny Williams, with knockdowns in the 1 st, 3 rd, 7 th and 8 th rounds eventually leading to a stoppage.

The Doctor Retires:

On November 9, 2005, Vitali “Dr. Iron Fist” Klitschko announced his retirement, and vacated his titles. His decision was based on several mounting injuries, and he chose to leave while still on top. Following his retirement, the WBC conferred “champion emeritus” status on Vitali, and assured him he would become the mandatory challenger if and when he decided to return. Impressively, Vitali Klitschko retired with a career knockout ratio of 92 percent. Klitschko had never been knocked down, or received a standing eight count.

The Return:

Vitali Klitschko announced his comeback on January 24, 2007. However, due to a number of health problems Klitschko backed out of a number of bouts scheduled for him. It wasn’t until August 3, 2008 that Vitali Klitschko would prove that once again, he is a world champion.

Vitali Klitschko squared off against WBC Heavyweight champion Samuel Peter in August of 2008. Vitali was able to use his height and reach advantage to pummel Peter with numerous hard rights and jabs. Samuel Peter took enormous amounts of punishment, and never changed his game plan during the fight. Klitschko earned the technical decision in the eighth round, and the WBC Heavyweight title.

On March 21, 2009, Klitschko defended his title against mandatory challenger Juan Carlos Gomez. Klitschko started the fight early, landing several jabs to the right eye of Gomez. Vitali used his superior size and reach advantage to break down Gomez. During the seventh round, Gomez took a knee from a right hand followed by an uppercut. Round nine found Gomez turning his back against Klitschko while taking punches causing the referee to stop the bout.

Vitali Klitschko’s Future:

There are many opponents eagerly waiting to face Klitschko. First up is Vitali Klitschko vs. Chris Arreola on September 26, 2009, Vitali Klitschko will face hard hitting Chris Arreola for the WBC Heavyweight title. As one can assume, it will be a tough task for Klitschko; but as his superior skills eventually take over, I see a continuing Heavyweight champion lurking around the corner.

Come fight night, don’t forget to check out live Klitschko vs. Arreola results here on ProBoxing-Fans.com.

Photo Credit: K2 Promotions

Written by: Mike Boehm