Trivia

Speaks four languages: Russian, Ukrainian, German, and English.

Mayor of Kiev (2014-).

Older brother of Wladimir Klitschko, WBO heavyweight champion, and companion of István Kovács, WBO featherweights champion.

He and his brother, Wladimir, grew up as the sons of a helicopter pilot in the Soviet Union's armed forces.

He and his younger brother, Wladimir Klitschko, have protested and demonstrated in the Ukraine for democracy and for the re-vote election of Viktor Yushchenko.

Has three children with wife Natalia: Egor-Daniel Klitschko (b. 16 May 2000), Elizabeth-Victoria Klitschko (b. 23 November 2002), and Maxim Klitschko (b. 1 April 2005).

(11 October) Regained the WBC belt by TKO against Samuel Peter in Berlin. (2008)

Fourth boxer besides Muhammad Ali, Evander Holyfield and Lennox Lewis to win a heavyweight belt for the third time.

Has a doctorate degree from Perevaslav-Khmelnitsky Teacher Training Institute (1996). His PhD is in Sport Science and Philosophy.

Lives mainly in Los Angeles, California, USA. He also has houses in Hamburg, Germany and Kyiv, Ukraine.

Although he and his wife are both citizens of Ukraine, his children are American citizens, as they were all born at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, CA, USA.

During a sparring match that was meant to prepare him for his scheduled 12 November 2005 fight with Haseem Rhamin, Vitali's knee was injured. He had surgery on 8 November 2005 for a rupture in the torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and damage to the medial meniscus on his right knee. After learning that it would be a fairly long time before he would be allowed to fight again, Vitali made his announcement to retire on 9 November 2005.

Before losing to Chris Byrd was 27-0(27), a Heavyweight record for consecutive knockout wins from the beginning of a career.

Vitali and Natalia are expecting their third child, a boy, in March. (January 2005)

Vitali Klitschko retired from professional boxing at the age of 34 on Wednesday, 9 November 2005. He is set to work on social issues, and possibly politics, in his native Ukraine. (November 2005)