The clock's ticking

Brains and brawn come in the same package. His nickname – Dr Steelhammer – is well justified. Not only has the World's IBF and IBO heavyweight boxing champion Wladimir Klitschko been annihilating his opponents for more than a decade, but the 31-year-old who holds a PhD in Sports Sciences has been leading an active life out of the ring. He has become a true sporting celebrity and it seems that Wladimir has been televised every step of his way.

Some say it’s easier to find Wladimir Klitschko at a party than in the ring. RT put this to a test. He was expected to be found at one of New York's most famous Russian nightclubs – and the big Ukrainian was there, again followed by a plethora of cameras.

What is more important for him – to be a boxer in the ring with championship belts or a media celebrity? Wladimir says he has around two fights a year, so he has enough time for other things.

Tthose “other things” are indeed diverse, from kite-surfing to taking part in award ceremonies, such as the Oscars, along with his brother Vitaly.

As for his favourite hobbies, Wladimir says these are golf and kite-surfing. “Because I think I can do it better than everything else, boxing is my profession right now, and you can’t compare these. And of course, I’m not as good in these other sports as in boxing. But it’s the same thing. Iit’s very challenging, but a lot of fun,” he explains.

The Klitschko brothers have been actively travelling to third-world countries, doing charity work. The Slav giants have donated almost US$ 1 million to schools in Africa. Wladimir says he will always find time in his hectic schedule for such things.

“We build up schools so kids can go and get educated. They can learn certain jobs, how to survive. Learn how to take care of themselves and simple things like to growing tomatoes, cucumbers, raising cows, pigs – simple things, so they can at least feed themselves,” Wladimir said.

Even this Saturday, when Wladimir takes on Russia's Sultan Ibragimov, part of the money raised from the fight will be donated to sporting schools for children. So the big man himself says that regardless of who lifts the trophies, in this bout it’s the kids who will definitely win.

Russia Today will be having Road-to-the-ring updates each day leading up to the Klitschko-Ibragimov fight. Keep watching!

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