February 23, 2024
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Ranking The 10 Greatest Champions
Ranking The 10 Greatest Champions
When it comes to assessing the greatest heavyweight champions in boxing history, the task is not for the faint of heart.
WBC Champion
Vitali Klitschko is a former Ukrainian top heavyweight, politician, and businessman. He was born on July 19, 1971, in Belovodsk, Kyrgyzstan, but grew up in the Ukrainian city of Kiev. Klitschko is widely considered one of the greatest heavyweight boxers of all time, with a career record of 45 wins (41 by knockout), 2 losses, and 0 draws.
Klitschko began his professional boxing career in 1996, after a successful amateur career that saw him win a gold medal at the 1995 Military World Championships and a bronze medal at the 1996 Olympics. He quickly established himself as a formidable fighter, winning his first 24 fights, all by knockout.
In 2000, Klitschko fought Chris Byrd for the WBO heavyweight title. The fight was stopped in the ninth round due to a shoulder injury sustained by Klitschko, and he lost the fight by technical knockout. Klitschko rebounded from the loss, however, and went on a winning streak that saw him defeat some of the best heavyweights of his era, including Lennox Lewis, Samuel Peter, and Corrie Sanders.
Klitschko won the WBC heavyweight title in 2004, and he held the title until his retirement in 2013. During his reign as champion, he defended his title against a number of challengers, including Danny Williams, Juan Carlos Gomez, and Shannon Briggs. Klitschko was known for his powerful punches and aggressive fighting style, and he was feared by many of his opponents.
In addition to his boxing career, Klitschko has also been involved in politics and business. He was elected to the Ukrainian parliament in 2010, and he served as the mayor of Kiev from 2014 to 2019. He is also the founder of the Klitschko Brothers Foundation, which works to support children's sports and education in Ukraine.
Klitschko retired from boxing in 2013 with a record of 45 wins and 2 losses. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2018.
Outside of the ring, Klitschko is known for his charitable work and his commitment to promoting democracy and human rights in Ukraine. He has been a vocal critic of Russian aggression in Ukraine and has worked to support the country's efforts to build a more democratic and prosperous society.
Vitali Klitschko is one of the greatest heavyweight boxers of all time, known for his powerful punches and aggressive fighting style. He held the heavyweight title for nearly a decade and defeated some of the best fighters of his era.