Klitsch-KO brothers invade the USA

Undefeated Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko to fight live on American TV

In 1985, a Russian boxer named Ivan Drago came to the US and defeated the American Apollo Creed, a former heavyweight champion. The good news for the American public was that this destructive Slavonic fighter was only an actor in the fourth part of Sylvester Stallone's cult movie "Rocky".

The very bad news is the Ukrainian heavyweight Wladimir Klitschko, the 1996 super heavyweight Gold Medalist, is for real! This big and powerful boxer (6 feet 7, 230 pounds) is undefeated as a professional in 20 fights with 18 knockouts and is holding the WBC-International title.

On August 6th Wladimir Klitschko, who is represented by Germany's Universum Box-Promotion, will fight a rematch against American Carlos Monroe. The fight will take place on Top Rank's undercard of Vincent Phillips' IBF 140 lbs. title defense in Marksville, LA. In their first meeting in 1997 Monroe head butted Klitschko intentionaly in the 6th round, opening a deep cut under Wladimir's eye. This was forcing the referee to disqualify the man from California. The 22 year-old Ukrainian has not forgotten what Monroe, an extremely tough fighter, who was never knocked out in his career, has done to him. It is an event difficult to forget, as Wladimir is reminded daily of the foul by the big scar on his otherwise handsome face.

Wladimir Klitschko vs. Carlos Monroe 2
THIS TIME IT'S PERSONAL
August 6th, Marksville, LA, live on ESPN

But the news for the American public is even worse. Wladimir is not coming alone. He is bringing his older brother Vitali Klitschko along, an undefeated and powerful heavyweight himself. Vitali Klitschko, the WBO-Intercontinental champion, scored 20 consecutive victories and knocked out every of his opponents. At 6 feet 8 and 240 pounds Vitali is even bigger than his younger brother.

Hungry for his next knockout victory the 27 year-old fighter will step up in competition and face former heavyweight champion of the world Tony Tubbs. They will fight on the card of Mike Acri Boxing Promotions in Miami, FL on August 11th. Tubbs, a former WBA heavyweight champion, fought seven former or future world champions in his career, including Mike Tyson, Tim Witherspoon and Riddick Bowe.

Vitali Klitschko vs. Tony Tubbs
UNDEFEATED PROSPECT AGAINST FORMER WORLD CHAMPION
August 11th, Miami, FL, live on USA Network

Both Hamburg-based brothers are looking into their future with extreme self-confidence: "There are four main world titles (WBC,WBA,IBF,WBO)", explains Wladimir Klitschko. "Vitali takes two and I take two."

"Look out Americans", warns his brother Vitali with a grin. "We are coming!"

Hamburg, July 27th 1998
Fabian Weber


 

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7.29.98 [Return to Top] -- Fabian Weber International Press Spokesman Universum Box-Promotion GmbH