Vitaly is my idol – Wladimir Klitschko

Boxing super champ, Wladimir Klitschko, called elder brother Vitaly his idol as the Ukrainians gave an interview to RT’s Spotlight show. Politics, future opponents including David Haye, and MMA were also among the issues discussed.

­The Klitschko brothers arrived in the Russian capital to promote Vitaly’s bout against Manuel Charr of Germany, which the city hosts on September 8.

“In Moscow, we have so many Klitschko supporters and a huge community of boxing fans,” Vitaly Klitschko explained. “The sport is very popular in Russia. Many come from Kazakhstan [were the brothers were born], from Ukraine and from all of Russia.”

“Nobody asks us why we fight in Switzerland or the US. Boxing is global. That’s why if we have a chance to hold a bout in a new city and deliver a good fight for our fans we enjoy that,” the WBC heavyweight champ added. 

Charr is 13 years younger that Vitaly Klitschko, but Wladimir is confident that won’t give the German any advantage.  

“There are many pros and cons with the age,” WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, IBO and the Ring heavyweight champion explained. “You have experience, but sometimes your body isn’t working well. Or your body is working well, but you’re not experienced enough. In his last fights, all of Vitaly’s opponents were at least eight years younger. To be honest with you, Vitaly is my idol. He’s 40 years old and he’s still performing. And with his age, experience and everything – he’s not just fighting great, but he looks great as well, being in a perfect shape.”

“I’m looking forward to being Vitaly’s age and looking as good as he is,” the 36-year-old added.

Both boxers denied claims that staging a fight in Moscow has something to do with the upcoming Ukrainian parliamentary election, in which Vitaly’s UDAR party will be involved. 

­“Vitaly was always interested in politics and he was getting into it for the last six or seven years. And all the goals he has in front of him, I share,” Wladimir said. “He’s fighting for good on the political field. And this battle is not easy. Because in sports, you have rules and in politics there are none. It’s much tougher fight than any boxing event.”

Meanwhile, the elder of the Klitschko brother said that his dream in politics is to make Ukraine “a modern country in the middle if Europe, with world standards of life.”

Spotlight’s host, Aleksandr Gurnov, also asked the Ukrainians about legendary Russian fighter, Fedor Emelianenko, and their approach to mixed martial arts, in general.  

“I met Fedor last year for the first time. He’s an incredible guy. He’s very self-confident, very calm,” Wladimir stressed. “I have great respect for his achievements. It’s a very complicated sport, in which the fighters have to wrestle, box and do a lot of other things… It’s very hard to be successful in the MMA for such a long time.”

­Klitschko’s archrival David Haye has recently once again challenged Vitaly, but the 40-year-old says the match against the Briton is not on the cards.    

“Six months ago after my last fight [with Dereck Chisora] we offered David Haye to make a fight against me,” he said.“We were very close to signing a contract, but in the last minute he decided to fight Dereck Chisora. That’s why I’m sorry for David Haye, but he made that choice himself… He had a chance to face me in Moscow on September 8, but he missed it.”

­Unlike Haye, Russia’s top heavyweight, Aleksandr Povetkin, still has a chance to try deprive the Klitschko’s of their silverware.

“He has good skills. He’s a good fighter,” Vitaly explained. “We wish him all the best. Maybe this fight – Povetkin against Klitschko – will happen very soon… By Klitschko, I mean Wladimir. Because it’s such a funny situation – Wladimir is WBA super champion and Aleksandr is the regular champion, so many fans wont to know, who the real champ is.”

­Watch the full-length interview with Vitaly and Wladimir Klitschko on Spotlight’s page.

Future champs, Vitaly (R) and Wladimir Klitschko, in their younger years.

The family photo from the Klitschko archive: father Vladimir Rodionovich Klitschko (heart), mother Nadezhda Ulianovna Klitschko (R) and their two sons.

The Klitschko brothers in the locker room preparing for the bout.

The deep cut above the left eye cost Vitaly Klitschko the win against legendary Lennox Lewis in 2003. He never lost a single match after that.

Wladimir Klitschko and his coach, Emanuel Steward.

Vitaly Klitschko delivers a blow to Shannon Briggs in their bout in 2010.

Vitaly and Wladimir (L), who promised they’ll never fight each other in the ring, opt for chess to decide, who is best.