Wladimir Klitschko was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame | Boxing



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Legendary Ukrainian boxer Volodymyr Klitschko (64-5, 53 KO) is inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame. The official ceremony will take place on June 14, 2021 in Canastota (USA).

Along with our compatriot, Americans Floyd Mayweather and Andre Ward were chosen for the Hall.

Klitschko was inducted into the Boxing Hall of Fame

Vladimir Klitschko is the 1996 Olympic champion. Immediately after this triumph, Vladimir began his career as a professional boxer. His professional debut took place on November 16, 1996 in Hamburg, where he knocked out Mexican Fabián Meza in the fourth round.

In several years, Doctor Steel Hammer won championship belts according to the versions WBO (2000-2003, 2008-2015), IBF (2006-2015), IBO (2006-2015), WBA (2011-2015).

Wladimir Klitschko with champion belts

During his tenure as world heavyweight champion, Klitschko’s fights regularly drew 300 to 500 million viewers around the world.

Vladimir dominated the heavyweight title for ten years. He fought more heavyweight belt fights than anyone in history (29).

From 2006 to 2015, he held the title for 9 years, 7 months and 7 days, longer than any heavyweight champion except Joe Louis. Klitschko finished third in the number of consecutive successful title defenses (18), behind only Luis (25) and Larry Holmes (20).

Wladimir Klitschko and Tyson Fury

“It is a great honor for me to be a member of the Hall of Fame. It is a great honor and happiness for all the champions to be chosen. It is incredible,” said Klitschko Jr.

As a reminder, Vitali Klitschko was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2018.

Wladimir Klitschko spent his last fight in April 2017, losing by TKO to Anthony Joshua. Klitschko ended his career in August 2017 at the age of 41.

Wladimir Klitschko and Anthony Joshua

Throughout his career, Vladimir has defeated 23 boxers for the world heavyweight title, breaking the record of 21 defeated opponents held by Joe Louis and Muhamed Ali. Also, Klitschko held the world title for 4,382 days (12 years), which is the best indicator in the history of the heavyweight division.

Wladimir Klitschko and Francesco Pianetta

He is the record holder for the number of victories in battles for the title of absolute champion, as well as the owner of the longest series of defense of the absolute title in the history of the two most popular combat sports, professional boxing and the mixed martial arts.

Wladimir Klitschko and Samuel Peterr
Wladimir Klitschko and Bryant Jennings
Vladimir Klitschko and Kubrat Pulev

After that, the press speculated on the issue of Vladimir’s return to boxing. The motivation was the desire to break the record of George Foreman, who became the world champion at almost 46 years old, but the Ukrainian gave a clear answer that he was no longer going to box in the professional ring.

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