Vladimir Klichko

Vladimir Klichko
Volodymyr Klychko is a Ukrainian heavyweight boxer. Wladimir is the IBF, IBO, WBO and Ring Magazine Champion. He is currently rated as the number three pound for pound boxer in the world by Boxrec. His older brother Vitali Klitschko is the current WBC champion. As for now, Vladimir is historically the longest reigning Heavyweight Champion for the IBF, WBO & IBO Heavyweight Titles of both measurements of defenses and time.
Klitschko was born in Semipalatinsk, Kazakh SSR (now Kazakhstan). In 1985 the family moved to Ukraine. Though a major celebrity in his former adopted home of Germany, he moved with his older brother Vitali to Beverly Hills in 2004. Their father, Volodymyr Rodionovych, was a Soviet Air Force Colonel. Their mother is Nadezhda Ulyanovna.
In the summer of 1996, Klitschko finished Pereyaslav-Khmelnitsky Pedagogical Institute (Ukraine) and was accepted in the postgraduate study program of Kiev University. On 18 January 2001 in a conference hall of Kiev University of physical science and sports, Klitschko presented his doctoral dissertation and was awarded a Ph.D. in Sports Science. Klitschko speaks four languages: Ukrainian, Russian, German and English. Known as "The Steel Hammer," Klitschko first achieved world attention at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia. He defeated Paea Wolfgramm to win the Super-Heavyweight gold medal. He is now announced as "Dr. Steel Hammer," a name more in the vein of his brother, Vitali, who goes by "Dr. Ironfist."Since 2005, Klitschko has been the dominant force in the heavyweight division, defeating a majority of the top heavyweights in the rankings. When Klitschko won the IBF title against Chris Byrd there were four separate heavyweight champions. Since then he has unified the IBF and WBO belts and defeated the WBA champion in recess. Following his victory over Ruslan Chagaev, Klitschko was awarded the vacant Ring Magazine Heavyweight Title. He broke Tommy Burns long held record of eight consecutive title defences by knockout.The brothers have been quoted saying that it is only a matter of time until they unify the WBA title belt which is currently held by David Haye. If they achieve this feat, the Klitschko brothers will become the first brothers in heavyweight boxing history to simultaneously hold all of the belts.
Both Klitschko brothers have been involved in charitable activities dedicated to supporting the needs of children around the world. Both brothers have formed their own charities that contribute to children in need in Africa and South America. They won humanitarian awards for their "Fight For Peace" and "Sport for Good" projects in 2002 and 2007. In 2002, the Klitschko brothers announced that they had agreed to work specifically for UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization), which supports more than 180 projects in 87 countries.