Wladimir and Vitali Klitschko blog dedicated to the most up-to-date information regarding the professional heavyweight boxers and brothers. Find videos, chat, pictures, polls, interviews, breaking news, upcoming fights, discussions, and major boxing news that related to the Klitschko brothers. Updated often.
Today was the final press conference at the "Intercontinental Hotel Düsseldorf" in Germany for the heavyweight championship fight between current IBF/WBO/IBO/SUPER WBA/RING heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko (56-3, 49 KOs) and former cruiserweight champion turned heavyweight contender Jean-Marc Mormeck (36-4, 22 KOs) which will take place this Saturday, March 3rd. Both fighters appeared calm and there were no such antics as there were in the the lead up to his brother Vitali and Chisora's fight on February 18th...
Klitschko Quotes
“Jean-Marc Mormeck has a major goal: To became the first World Heavyweight Champion from France. He is very experienced and also has had a lot of title fights in his career. His size makes it even more difficult for me to hit him. I will do anything to make sure to keep the belts that I have been unifying in the last years.”
Mormeck Quotes
”I have an iron will and will break Wladimir Klitschko mentally. I am not afraid of anybody and I am sure that I will beat Klitschko and take his belts.”
Klitschko vs Mormeck Press Conference Video
Here's a video of Klitschko and Mormeck face to face at the presser:
Wladimir's statement about Mormerck at the presser...
EPIX(who will be showing the fight live) coverage of the press conference ...
Today was the 1st press conference at the ESPRIT arena in Düsseldorf (Germany) for the heavyweight championship fight between current WBO/IBF/IBO/RING and WBA super heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschkko and voluntary challenger and former WBA/WBC cruiserweight champion Jean-Marc Mormeck (France) that will take place on December 10th.
Mormeck Quotes
“I have overcome every challenge I have set myself in the past. I have tried to win every championship belt in the past and now I have the chance to get them. I am strong enough to do it, I am a warrior in the ring.”
Klitschko Quotes
* he added in response to claims made by Mormeck recently...
“I don’t want to give him any chance, I want to destroy him. I might have a glass jaw, but I will knock you out before you even touch it."
It's official WBO/IBF/IBO/RING and Super WBA heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko will defend his titles against his voluntary opponent fromer WBA/WBC cruiserweight championJean-Marc Mormeck (France) on December 10th 2011.
This is just a stay busy fight. I don't see any way Mormeck will pose any problems for Wladimir even if it was Wlad's worst night and his best...
Today was the 1st press conference in Cologne, Germany for the WBC heavyweight title fight that will happen March 19th at the Lanxess Arena in Cologne between current champ Vitali Klitschko and #1 WBC mandatory challenger Odlanier Solis. Check out press conference footage here.
Vitali Klitschko Quotes
“I have great respect for my opponent. But I will prove that the belt belongs to me. I am confident for this fight. My goal is a knockout win.”
“I have fought a lot of strong opponents but I have never been in the ring with an Olympic gold medallist,” said Klitschko. “I expect a very tough and close fight against a very talented young boxer who comes to take the belt from me. I won’t let that happen though. I will show why I am the champion and defend my title.”
Fritz Sdunek Quotes
*Klitschko's trainer
“Solis is a very successful amateur, but still no great boxing opponent.”
Odlanier Solis Quotes
“We will see the best fight of all time.”
When asked about the toughest fight of his life he smiles and says, “What makes you think that this will be my toughest fight? Can you tell me what makes a boxer a strong or superior boxer? So far all guys I fought had two arms and two legs. I would understand your question if I would fight an opponent with three fists for the first time…”
Ahmet Öner Quotes
**Solis' promoter
“We will make history and put an end to the era of Klitschko.”
** atacking Klitschko's management...
“Usually the team of the challenger starts with thanking the champion’s team for the opportunity”, Oner said. “I’m sorry that we can’t do it this way this time. The Klitschkos did everything they could to avoid this fight. They tried to sneak out of it over and over again. So we don’t thank them. We had to work very hard to get to this point and we deserved this chance. I want to thank the WBC and president Jose Sulaiman and, of course, I thank RTL because they kept the ‘Klitschko legend’ alive over the last years even though they only fought tomato cans in terribly boring snoozers. We will indemnify the German boxing fans for all the sh*tty Klitschko fights they had to endure over the years with one of the greatest heavyweight bouts ever. To me this is history in the making. It is the first time in history that a Cuban A class heavyweight has left the country to fight for the world championship as a pro. Boxing fans will always argue how Ali would have looked against Stevenson and what would have happened if Tyson and Savon would have fought in their primes. In this generation for the first time we have the chance to see what happens when the best Cuban heavyweight fights the best heavyweight of the rest of the world. I put my money on Cuba.”
WBO, IBF, IBO, and Ring heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko will follow through with his fight he had to cancel at the last minute (scheduled back in December) do to abdominal injury against Derick Chsora on April 30th.
Chisora Quotes
"This news is a fantastic late Christmas present. "I always believed that I would fight Klitschko and my faith has been repaid.
"I was a bit worried that he might try and fight an easier touch, but I think I've earned my opportunity.
"I was gutted when Wladimir pulled out of our fight just a couple of days beforehand. But now I've got another chance to take his titles away.
"He's a great world champion, but his time at the top is well and truly up.
"My promoter Frank Warren has done a great job in getting me this opportunity because there was no guarantee Wladimir would fight me again after he got injured."
Here are some videos related to the rearranged Klitschko Chisora fight...
Craig Slater On Re-Arranged Klitschko/Chisora Fight
Don Charles On Rescheduled Klitschko/Chisora Fight
Former WBO heavyweight champion Shannon "The Cannon" Briggs (51-5-1, 45 KOs) who will be fighting against Vitali Klitschko this says that Vitali Klitschko will be in for a shock when they meet for the WBC heavyweight title this October 16.
On Wladimir Klitschko's Fight With Sam Peter
“After two rounds, Samuel Peter became a human punching bag. When I finally get Vitali in that ring, he’s going to be up against a determined Shannon Briggs. I’m his size. I’m even more powerful than he is. He can’t keep me away by holding out his left arm and trying to wrap me up like those Klitschkos usually do. Vitali’s next fight will be nothing like Wladimir’s last fight. He is going to be fighting for his life from the opening bell.”
On David Haye's Trash Talk
“Vitali is just the beginning. After I take him out, David Haye, the little cruiserweight with the heavyweight mouth, is next and then Wladimir after that. In David Haye’s recent silly video rant explaining why he’s terrified to fight the Klitschkos, he made a comment calling me Shannon “I need my asthma pump” Briggs. That was an insult not only to me, but to people worldwide who suffer from the disease. Because of that, he has now moved himself into the number two slot after Vitali. Originally, the plan was to knock off Wladimir after I rid the boxing world of Vitali’s flailing ‘kung-fu octopus’ style, but Haye’s now #2 on the Cannon’s hit list.”
On Bringing The Titles Back To The USA
**He has other areas of interest besides boxing he wishes to pursue....
“But first, as a gift to boxing and all it has done to change my life, I’m going to turn the power back on in boxing’s heavyweight house and get these belts back in the USA where they belong, starting on October 16.”
Ok so Shannon thinks he's going to put as much pressure as Peter did on Wladimir on Vitali and last for more than 2 rounds himself? Can't see that happening.
The camp of former WBC heavyweight champion Samuel Peter seems to think that they will win come this Saturday night and that Wladimir Klitschko's behavior change recently is really because he is uptight about his upcoming fight with Peter. Here is what Peter's manager Ivaylo Gotzev had to say:
“He’s definitely uptight. I’ve known Wladimir for 15 years and he’s starting to realize who will be in the other corner come Saturday night. That’s why he’s not himself this week. He’s already having cold and sweaty Nigerian nightmares!”
Peter also remarked, "I hear and see what they’re trying to do, I just hope he comes to fight and not wrestle." This is in reference to Wladimir showing Peter his belts but telling him that that's as close as he will ever get to them amongst calling out Peter at a recent training session for him to come down to the ring while he did his public workout...
Today was the press conference in Kiev, Ukraine for the WBC heavyweight championship between Vitali Klitschko (40-2, 38 KOs) and former WBO heavyweight champion Shannon Briggs (51-5-1, 45 KOs) ahead of their fight on October 16th at the 02 World in Hamburg, Germany. Ticket information, pictures, and video coming soon!
Vitali Klitschko Quotes
I am very glad that the first press conference is here in Ukraine. Thank you to everyone, to TV channel Inter. I know that many fans want to see the fight between Vitali Klitschko and Nikolay Valuev. I have done the utmost to make this fight take place. I have offered big money, but Valuev called it ‘insignificant.’ I’ve offered the fight for the title WBC, but for him it probably means nothing. Believe me, I am not guilty that he doesn’t want to fight me. Always it is possible to find the reasons why this fight hasn’t taken place. I offered the fight to David Haye, but he is silent, he is afraid to fight me. We thought, who the strongest opponent who can resist me? Peter will fight Wladimir on October 16th, and we have chosen Shannon Briggs. He’s one of the most serious contenders for the world championship. His record of fights demands respect. I know that for me it’s a serious fight. I know that only Vitali Klitschko can beat Vitali Klitschko. I’m very proud to own today the belt which Mike Tyson, Lewis and Ali owned, and I will make sure this belt remaines with me. I will give everything in this fight to come out again the winner.
Shannon Briggs Quotes
I want to begin that I am very happy to be here, in Kiev. Unfortunately, at the airport of Kiev I have found out that they lost my luggage, therefore I to wear what I wore yesterday. I don’t have other clothes. Yesterday went to shop, good shopping, beautiful women. Ukraine is the beautiful country. Many beautiful women. I wanted the Klitschko-Briggs to take place in Ukraine, but we are forced to fight in Germany. I hope that the rematch will be here in Kiev. Once again I want to say thanks to all of you. My dream has come true. Three years ago I planned to leave boxing, seriously considered this after the defeat against Sultan Ibragimov. I weighed 334 pounds. Once in Los Angeles I met Vitali at a restaurant. He has touched me in the stomach and I resolved that I would return. It was not necessary for Klitschko to touch me. I am the former two-time world champion. I beat George Foreman. I have the most first round knockouts in the history of the heavyweight division. I am the first world champion in boxing history with asthma. I’m grateful to Vitali for the opportunity to again sit on the throne.
Bernd Boente Quotes
** Klitschko’s manager
We are very glad to be here at this big press conference. This very big show for us. You know that Wladimir and Vitali Klitschko’s last three fights have taken place at big stadiums to Germany. And we will try to bring a big fight for the Klitschko brothers before the Euro 2012 football championship in Ukraine. We know that in Ukraine the economic situation is not the best, but it gets better every year. And we hope to have a big fight at a football stadium in Kiev or in Donetsk. Vitali is a living legend, one of the few who became a triple world champion. It is assured that he’ll be in the World Boxing Hall of Fame. And he has the biggest percentage of knockouts in the history of heavyweights. But as I told both Vitali and Wladimir, it’s impossible to underestimate Briggs because he’s very dangerous and very strong. He beat George Foreman, Ray Mercer, Siarhei Liakhovich. I warned Vitali that he needs to be very careful in the ring. This fight won’t last twelve rounds. All media are interested in this fight. This fight will be seen live in the USA, Germany, Ukraine, we already know that 93 million spectators will see this fight because it will be broadcast in 110 countries worldwide.
Greg Cohen Quotes
**Briggs' manager
First I want to thank the Klitschko Team for making this fight. We very much respect Vitali and we know that he could have chosen any boxer. He chose Brigss and that is a great honor to us. We’ve been with Shannon from first day of his career. We’ve neem with him through victories and defeats and are glad to fight for a new heavyweight title. I should say that I’ve never seen Briggs so motivated in his entire career. It’s his last chance and we will try to use this opportunity. On October 16th Briggs will be prepared as much as possible to become the world champion. In a ring there are two big men with the big power to sort out who will be the champion. This fight just what the fans have waited for. My company is very happy about this fight and I think that on October 16th, he will show everyone what Shannon Briggs is capable of.
Klitschko Briggs Press Conference Video
*Not the whole press conference
More Klitschko Briggs Press Conference Video Footage
Its official. WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko won 40 (KO 38) + lost 2 (KO 2) + drawn 0 will face former champion Shannon Briggs won 51 (KO 45) + lost 5 (KO 2) + drawn 1 on October 16th at the O2 World Arena in, Hamburg, Germany. This will be the 1st time Vitali has fought in city he and his family moved to in 1996 and he is excited about fighting there again.
Vitali Klitschko Quotes
“I am really happy that I will have a fight in Hamburg again, the place where I started my professional career. The o2 World is a great arena and the fans in Hamburg are real box experts and will make a perfect atmosphere. Shannon Briggs is not only big at talking but also big in the ring and a very tough challenger. He is more experienced than me, has more professional fights on his record and is one of the hardest punchers in the division. I will be very well prepared together with my trainer Fritz Sdunek.”
Shannon Briggs Quotes
“For a long time I have been trying hard to fight a Klitschko. Most of their opponents are scared to death when they step into the ring. I will put Klitschko on pressure and take the fight to him. Klitschko can enjoy his belt for a few more weeks; after October 16 it will be mine!”
Bernd Bönte Quotes
** Managing Director of Klitschko Management Group (KMG)
“This is going to be a dramatic fight between two of the biggest punching heavyweights. We are glad that this fight will take place in Hamburg. Last time Vitali fought here the o2 World Hamburg did not even exist. It will be a great fight night in a fantastic arena.“
WBO, IBF, IBO, and Ring heavyweight champion held his 1st press conference with his September 11th challenger Samuel Peter on Monday, August 2nd. The press conference took place at at the Commerzbank-Arena in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. Both fighters seemed confident with Peter predicting a early victory, but in their stare down Peter looked away after about a minute.
Wladimir Klitschko Quotes
“Peter is very experienced and a very good puncher. He has improved a lot in his last fights. I will be well prepared and definetely not underestimate him. I am happy to have a true opponent now and not somebody who just fights in his own dreams. Povetkin does not count anymore.”
Samuel Peter Quotes
“I do not want to say a lot today. I will let my fists speak on September 11. You will see a new Sam Peter!”
For pictures of the press conference you can check out some here and for some video footage in German you can go here.
Wladimir Klitschko had a few words recently regarding David Haye who may be a potential opponent in the future and who was supposed to be an opponent in the past before Haye backed out of his and his brothers planned fights with him. Here's what Wladimir had to say:
"I am ready to fight against David Haye anywhere in this world," Klitschko said. "He (Haye) just needs to make the next step. Sign the contract, get in the ring and get the fight.
"I have no respect for this man because he is nothing but a little dog who just runs away when the big dog turns around.
"It's not about the money and the business, it's about pride (for him). But I think he owes it to the fans."
He was speaking at the Commerzbank Arena in Frankfurt, where he will fight Nigerian Samuel Peter on September 11th, and said, ""Right now (Haye) is just not important to me."
Here are some videos where Wladimir talks about Haye and a video where Haye had to be almost chased down to give any input on Klitschko (funny how he seems uncomfortable talking about Klitschko).
Vitali Klitschko recently attended the WBC Night of Champions which is a event where champions from around the world attend and they have many activities including amateur boxing and much more that ended yesterday. Klitschko was one of the main guests for the event was interviewed right before a luncheon and this is how it went. Here's how it went:
Vitali, welcome to Cardiff, Wales. How are you finding your time here?
This is actually my second time in Cardiff. It’s a very historical city, very nice people. This is a very great event, the WBC Night of Champions. I’m very happy to be here and take part in this event.
Last night after the amateur boxing event, you spent some time with troubled youths through the World Boxing Cares organization. Jill Diamond said the kids were so excited to meet you. How did that make you feel?
It’s great to spend time with the young kids. They have a dream. What the WBC did, putting all the champions together in Cardiff is a big motivation for young sportsmen to reach big goals. To have a dream to be world champion, not just in amateur sports, but the same as Muhammad Ali in professional sports.
Tonight there will be an awards banquet at which you’ll be receiving an award. What can you tell us about that?
I know it will be “Champion of the Year,” it’ll be the second time. I’m very proud of that and the attention that I receive from the WBC.
There is a contract for you to fight Shannon Briggs in October. You reclaimed the title back in October of 2008. If everything goes to plan with this fight, that will be your sixth fight in exactly two years, a pretty active pace for a heavyweight champion these days. Are you happy with that average of fighting every four months?
You know what? We don’t have a contract with Shannon Briggs. We have negotiations. We’re in a negotiation period. Shannon Briggs… it’s possible that I fight him, but it’s not 100%. But anyway, I’m ready to fight any fighter in the world. I’m open for a proposal from anyone. We gave a proposal to Adamek- Adamek doesn’t want to fight. We gave a proposal to David Haye- David Haye kept his mouth closed. He doesn’t speak any more about that. Valuev wants to fight, but he wants money. World sports title is not interesting for him. I’m open to defend my title against anyone and show everyone that I’m the strongest in the world. I’m very proud to have the same title that Muhammad Ali had many years ago. I will try to keep this title as long as possible. About the breaks…I had a long line of injuries, but the break for three years made me better, and now I have a lot of power and show good results. That’s why I’ve been so active these last two years. I feel great. I feel like I’m twenty years old! Sometimes I forget I’m almost forty years old! (laughs)
Since you’ve come back, you haven’t seemed to have a tough time with any of your opponents. I know you don’t want to discredit any of your opponents, but you’ve been able to do as you wanted with them. Are you looking forward to having a tougher challenge from your next opponent?
Nothing is easy in life. Every opponent was a very tough guy. They try to hit me, try to beat me, but right now, I don’t see anybody who can beat me. There is just one person- Me! I can beat me by myself!
Do you feel the difference has been your skill level and training has been so much better than your opponents?
I have my boxing skills. That is the main point. Not just in boxing, but in life- I have a lot of experience. I have a lot of experience in boxing and I use my experience in the fight.
Recently Ross Greenburg of HBO has said that HBO is out of the heavyweight business- either due in part to the fact that you and your brother are mostly fighting in Europe, or the fights are against opponents American fans haven’t heard of, or the fans can’t tell you and Wladimir apart. What are yo thought in Greenburg’s comments?
(Big smirk) If I read these comments from Ross Greenburg, I smile because it’s not easy to give the answer. (Asking incredulously) Nobody knows who Vitali is, or who Wladimir is? Boxing fans can’t tell the difference between the brothers and that’s why HBO doesn’t broadcast the fights? (Shaking his head). All around the world people know who Wladimir is, and who Vitali is. We fill stadiums with 50-60,000 people. We have great (viewership) on German television. After that, the next excuse is- Klitschkos are fighting not so good opponents. We’re ready to fight anyone. Just challenge us. If HBO…actually, I am very disappointed. We live for the media. The media connects us to our fans and our fans want to see the fights. First of all, Ross Greenburg said Wladimir’s fight against Povetkin would be broadcast on HBO. After that he changed his mind. HBO is very important to us and we want to stay attached to the boxing audience in the United States. You know what? If the United States doesn’t play in soccer world championship, it means it will not be broadcast in the United States. If the United States doesn’t take part in the Olympics, it doesn’t get broadcast in the United States. This is the heavyweight division. These are very interesting fights. I’m very proud to have the highest rating in the history of knockouts (as heavyweight champion). Every fight, I stop my opponent. The boxing audience wants to see that and assume HBO will broadcast it. If HBO doesn’t want to do that, we will work with another network in America.
Regardless, are you happy with the way the careers of you and Wladimir are going?
We’ll still go forward. We have a dream: to be the only brothers to hold all the heavyweight championships. Right now, we have three of the four belts. We have a dream to take the last one that David Haye has. But to be honest, David Haye is smart enough to understand that he has a title. He’ll have it a long time if he doesn’t meet a Klitschko brother in side the ring. It’s a big risk for him. That’s why he challenges us, but he runs away from me or from Wladimir.
In order to achieve that dream, do yo think the Klitschkos will do what every it takes, financial or otherwise, to get Haye in the ring to have the chance to get that elusive fourth belt?
We gave a very fair proposal: 50-50. We split the money 50-50. We’re two world champions. Everyone wants to see a unification fight. One champion against another champion. Who is the strongest in the world? Is David Haye? Be honest! I feel that all boxing fans know- David Haye is afraid. Just afraid…not to fight, but to lose his title!
As far as Valuev goes- you’ve both traded videos back and forth- you claiming he’s afraid, his claiming he’s not afraid. Do you really believe that, or do you feel it’s more a financial issue, especially with Don King involved?
Don King doesn’t want it. Or Valuev doesn’t want it. I gave Valuev a chance to fight for $1,500,000 U.S. dollars and for the most prestigious title in the world. That’s the biggest money that he’ll make in his career. He doesn’t want it. He wants more money and explains about T.V. rights, and this and that. I, as world champion, have to come to him and asked him, “Please fight against me.” It’s funny. Never in the history of the world has a champion had to come to challenger to ask him to fight for the title.
Well Vitali, thanks for talking to Fightnews.com (link to article here) and good luck against whoever your next opponent is in October.
I will give my very best to show a good performance. I am sure the American audience will see the fight. This will be a very emotional and dramatic fight. I will give my best to knock my opponent out and send him to the floor. That’s what boxing fans want to see!
Afterwords, there was a luncheon and Briggs and Vitali talked and said the following: Briggs told Klitschko, “Whether or not we fight, I want to play you in chess.” Vitali responded with raised eyebrows, “Oh, how long have you been playing chess?” Briggs proudly replied, “Twenty seven years. I’m thirty-eight-years-old, so since I was eleven!” To that the two shook hands and gave fans another potential heavyweight battle: the heavyweight championship of chess!
Recently current WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko made it clear via a video statement about how much he wants to face Valuev but how he feels Valuev does not want to face him. This Valuev's response. Here is a loose interpretation of what Valuev said:
''Vitaliy you tell me will there be a fight between us? If not then i have plenty of things to do. Don't make me go back and forth with your desicion making. I dont need this"
then the reporter says "Nikolay is ready for the fight and wants it to happen already."
Here is the actual video statement of Nicolai responding to Vitali:
Heavyweight contender and former EU champion Albert Sosnowski (45-2-1, 27 KOs) is very confident ahead of his WBC heavyweight championship fight this Saturday, May 29th against current WBC champ Viatli Klitschko (39-2, 37 KOs) and plans on becoming the 1st Polish heavyweight champion. Here's what he had to say...
On Adamek defeating Arreola
“I would like to continue this way of winning fights by Polish boxers."
On how he will be different than other Klitschko opponents
“You can make the assumption that those guys lost before they even stepped in the ring. I am going into the ring to win and whatever presents itself, body punches, head punches, whatever, I will try to win.”
“I don’t want to say too much because I want to exploit his weaknesses. Klitschko fights in a very unorthodox way. The way he leaves himself open after he punches gives me some idea of what I would like to do, some of the defensive liabilities I’d like to exploit. Of course, I have to be aware of the punches from both hands because he can knock people out with either hand. Everything is prepared. The question is how we do it in the ring.”
On being the underdog
“Of course, I’ve heard the pundits say I have no chance, but it really doesn’t matter because the people who I listen to and trust, my trainers, my family, my girlfriend, of course my manager, they believe in me and whatever is being said by others makes no difference. I’m happy and we all believe I have a chance to win.”
On what he learned from his loss to Lawrence
“I made a mistake preparing for this fight. I know what I did wrong. But the loss to Zuri Lawrence catapulted me to a different part of my career, a better part of my career…winning all those fights and the European championship.”
On what he learned since
“You have to believe in yourself. You have to believe in every minute of every round that what you’re doing is right. Fighting against Klitschko is a different thing altogether, obviously, but it’s the heavyweight division and Vitali Klitschko is just a man, just like me.”
Today was the final press conference in Gelsenkirchen, Germany ahead of the WBC heavyweight championship fight the Saturday, May 29th between current champion Vitali Klitschko (39-2, 37 KOs) and Albert Sosonwski (45-2-1, 27 KOs). Both, are confident and on a mission ahead of their fight this Saturday, May 29th.
Vitali Klitschko Quotes
“Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson, Lennox Lewis had this belt. It’s not for nothing that I own it now! I want [the belt] to prove that I’m the best in the world.”
Albert Sosnowski Quotes
“I realize that all the experts consider me a longshot, but Klitschko will regret having given me this opportunity. He’s already passed his prime. Many of his fights have been against living punching bags who had already lost in the locker room. You only have an opportunity like this once in a lifetime and I want to use it. I’ll show Vitali and become be the first Polish heavyweight champion!”
Albert Sosnowski was recently interviewed ahead of his WBC heavyweight championship fight with current champ Vitali Klitschk ahead of their title clash this Saturday, May 29th. Here's the actual transcript of the interview.
Do you feel the pressure connected with the fight at the moment?
Yes, the final countdown to the fight already started. The remaining day will surely go very fast. I'm rather calm by now but sometimes I have thoughts mobilizing me to intensified work. This is the fight of my life, I want to take the chance because such occasion may not happen again. Everything goes well by now. My training sessions go satisfactorily, especially sparring. Apart from that, I'm healthy, I didn't catch any injury which makes me really glad. There's anything which hampers my hard preparations. Additionally, we cooperate with a psychologist in order to be well mentally prepared. It will help me to maintain full concentration despite of the big pressure. We'll see. Let's hope that everything will be 110% completed. I hope that the top of my form will fall on May 29th which will allow me to perform excellently.
You know very well what to expect from the Klitschko: jabs, powerful left blows dealt from a distance. The whole world knows his style of boxing. What will you use so as to surprise him?
That's right. Vitali Klitschko is a magnificent fighter having his specific style of boxing. The style is unpredictable, he deals various kinds of punches. He has both left and right hand atomic. Everybody knows that his clean punch results in KO. How do I want to surprise him? Among others by my positive approach to the bout. I'll enter the ring in order to defeat him. I won't have the clash already lost before the first bell. It's not enough for me that I face the world champion Vitali Klitschko. The endurance to the final bell won't be enough to satisfy me. I want to show my character, the self-confidence and the belief in the final victory. The crucial issue will be my speed, aggressiveness, and determination which will make him a bit nervous and hamper him. Subsequently, I'll try to take a risk regardless of the fact that the possibility of my defeat by KO will be higher. I'll be definitely striving to surprise him somehow, to take a serious risk. Surely, I won't be focusing only on avoiding KO but I'll be fighting to win victory over him, I can promise. Will I be successful? It will be verified in the ring.
At first sight, the tactics to fight the Klitschko brothers may look very simple: to shorten the distance. However nobody has succeeded in doing it by now. Where's the key to push the way through his jabs?
As I said previously, the key element will be my mentality, my approach to the contest. The majority of boxers who came face-to-face with the Klitschko's had their bouts already lost in their warm-up rooms. Their dream already came true when they got the fight against one of the Klitschko brothers. The high salary they had been proposed fully compensated the probably poor performance in the ring. That was enough for them and obviously they were paralyzed in the ring later. Frankly speaking, I don't know how will it will look like in my case. However, I must have a proper speed, a tight defense, and good movement. Klitschko's not a machine, he also can have a bad day, or just disregard me. But we don't count on that. I expect Vitali perfectly prepared, showing his best. Thus, we work form this angle. If it will happen differently, it will be only advantageous for me. I'm concentrated on myself. If we compared his and my boxing skills, our experiences and all the remaining elements, it would turn out that my chances are only minimal or I'm deprived of chances completely. On the other hand, my self-confidence, a proper mental approach or simply a fluke, may cause that the whole bout looks differently. I believe that if I only have one opportunity, I'll take such a chance in the championship bout. I don't want to promise so much, I don't need to make loud announcement, to speak high-flown words. However, I'm determined to achieve a big success. Everything shapes up very well in this way. I'm content with my cooperation with the head coach Fiodor Lapin. I'm satisfied with my attitude to the fight and my tactical plan. Our talks conclude that we believe in the success which motivates the whole team to the intensified work.
Your sparring partners were David Price and Evgeni Orlov. Price is the type of a fighter who can imitate Vitali Klitschko with his great left jab. How do your sparrrings look like?
Actually, David Price only just only became a (? maybe saying he was temporary..), he still has a quick left jab. He deals numerous blows which is characteristic for amateur boxers. Price transferred this style to the professional boxing. It's a pity he had to leave early in connection with his clash. I'm really content with two conducted sparring sessions. I was hitting him frequently, he also endeavoured to exert pressure. We asked him for imitating Klitschko for constant hunting with a straight right. I was defending myself very well. Additionally, I had one sparring with Evgeni Orlov, which I'm also glad about this training fight. Orlov, a bit taller than Klitschko, was very inconvenient, he has a powerful punch. I also managed to hit him numerously. His boxing style doesn't resemble Vitali's, but our aim was to exercise a few tactical elements. I'm also training with Mariusz Wach, because sparring will be prolonged. There is also a chance that Tyson Fury will visit me. All the sparring partners are very tall, we're still focusing on exercising a few tactical points we had planned. we want to prepare several types of actions to make them automatic for me. We planned 10-round and 12-round sparring. I want to check my physical ability. Apart from that, I'm grateful for the help of my sparring partners who strived to imitate Klitschko. It was so important for me.
What were the main points you put an emphasis on during your preparations? Was it improvement of your technique or rather conditional issues? It's known that Vitali is quite an old fighter and you have been always famous for your great endurance.
As far as my conditioning abilities, I showed them only in my last fights which was a bit unexpected. Previously, I had a reputation of a 6 round boxer. The majority of my bouts were scheduled for 6 rounds. The passing to longer contests was very beneficial for me. Last year I fought two 12 round bouts in a good pace, on a big level, and I'm happy about it. We work mainly on the tactical points and on my defense in order to avoid punches. We also focus on proper movement, not only backwards but also sideways. We derived it from the workshop of Tomasz Adamek who's trainers showed him that before the fight against Chris Arreola. The element will be really inconvenient for the rival as tall as Klitschko because it will be harder to hit me. The question of endurance will be also significant. Noticeable crises sometimes happen to Vitali. Such crises may happen again if the pace will be high, and obviously if he doesn't manage to hit me. I'll try to take my advantage then. Of course, it's easier to say than to perform. However, we prepare various options, we work on various elements in order to combine them. It looks great so far. I'm content with the whole work, and I'll try to show my best on May 29th!
Ahead of his showdown with current WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko (39-2, 37 KOs) on May 29th, Albert Sosnowski (45-2-1, 27 KOs) says he will shock the world with a victory over the current WBC champ. Here is what Sosnowski had to say...
Sosnowski Quotes
“Fighting Klitschko for the WBC world title is a dream-come-true for me. It looked like an impossible dream when I first started boxing, but now it will happen on May 29th. Winning the world title will be more than a dream and then I will be on top of the world.
“It’s very important and a great honor for me to be fighting on pay per view in the United States. Fans in the U.S. know about great Polish boxers – first Andrew Golota and now Tomasz Adamek. They have great names and unbelievable followings, packing arenas across the U.S., and I know that they will be supporting me 100-percent.”
“Both of Klitschko’s hands are lethal and he has an awkward style. He is powerful and tough. It’s difficult to find a sparring partner who can simulate him because nobody fights his way. From a technical standpoint, Klitschko makes tons of errors, but he’s very tough and intelligent in the ring. He never lets you fight your fight but I will find a way to capitalize on the mistakes he makes in the ring.
“I have nothing to lose and I know people aren’t giving me much of a chance. That’s okay, though, they don’t know what I can do or hard I’m training. I will aggressive and take risks against him because too many fighters have gone in the ring against Klitschko just to earn a pay-check. I will move sideways, trying to explore his defensive errors, and see what happens when he gets hit. Aggression, movement and speed are the keys for me to win. I will not just stand there and let him beat me like others did. It’s all or nothing for me.”
Looks like the heavyweight championship fight between current WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko (39-2, 37 KOs) and Albert Sosnowski (45-2-1, 27) will be shown on Pay-per-view (PPV) television and will be distributed by North America's Integrated Sports Media.
Integrated Sports Media is North America's top major pay-per-view distributor and is calling the Klitschko vs Sosnowski event the "Fists of Steel". The "Fists of Steel" event will be on May 29th, and will be presented by K2 Promotions and Klitschko Management Group, is being distributed in North America by Integrated Sports Media for live viewing at 3 PM/ET and 12 PM/PT on both cable and satellite ppv via iN Demand, DIRECTV, TVN and DISH Network in the USA, as well as Bell TV, Viewer's Choice, and Shaw PPV in Canada, for a suggested retail price of only $24.95.
Here is what the Integrated Sports president Doug Jacobs had to say....
Doug Jacobs Quotes
“The interest in Vitali is very high, especially in North America, where he’s only fought once in the past five years. The other PPV fights are being put together and will soon be announced.”
Tom Loeffler Quotes
*of K2 promotions
"We are excited about this deal with Integrated Sports and giving US boxing fans the opportunity to watch Vitali fight live in the US. When he fought (Chris) Arreola last September in Los Angeles, he had the highest ratings on HBO last year, which proved boxing fans are always interested to see Vitali fight. He will use this fight to continue the Klitschko domination of the heavyweight division."
Vitali Klitschko Quotes
“I watched Sosnowski’s fights and must admit that he is a very experienced, quick and tough opponent. He will do anything to get my belt but I promise that this is not going to happen.”
Albert Sosnowski Quotes
“This is a dream come true, a once-in-a-lifetime chance to fight Klitschko for his WBC _title_ belt. For me, Klitschko is over the hill. I know that I am the underdog for everybody, but I tell you, Klitschko will regret picking me. I know many Polish fans in the United States and Canada will watch the fight and support me. I will be the first Polish Heavyweight Champion of the World.”
After Wladimir Klitschko's dominant victory and 12th round KO on Saturday, March 20th at the sold-out ESPRIT arena in Dusseldorf, Germany, both he and Eddie Chambers had a few words to say.
Klitschko Quotes
“He is very, very quick and preemptive. In the last rounds I gave everything and I am very happy about the result. To me Chambers gave up mentally after round six. It’s hard to hit somebody who is very passive and tries not to be knocked out.”
Chambers Quotes
“I knew about his quick right hand but I couldn’t do anything against it. When I lifted him up I wanted to take him out of his fight plan. I can’t remember the knockout.
Today there was a pre-fight press conference for the WBO, IBF, IBO, and Ring heavyweight championship fight this Saturday, March 20th between current champ Wladimir Klitschko and the #1 WBO heavyweight mandatory challenger Eddie Chambers.
Wladimir Klitschko Quotes
“I’ve already tested him and I think the world title will remain in the Klitschko family.”
"I've never trained for a fight this hard."
"After nine months off, I am eager to get back in the ring."
"I am very excited to fight in another soccer stadium, this one will hold more than 50,000 people. The atmosphere in the stadium will be fantastic."
"I am 33 years old and at the top of my athletic ability, I have never been so strong, fast, and experienced."
"Eddie is a very talented fighter and has a very difficult style, but I am well prepared to defend my titles. All four of my belts will stay in the Klitschko family."
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