WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko was given an enlightening introduction to the American boxing world when Don King attempted to sign the Ukraine native during the 1996 Olympics. The champion fighter told the May issue of Playboy (hitting newsstands on Friday, April 8) about his first meeting with the infamous promoter: “He brought [my brother Wladimir and me] to a Mike Tyson fight and gave us a proposal. He even sang to us once, at his house in Las Vegas. He sat at the piano and began playing. I was surprised - I had no idea he was so good! Then I noticed the pedals moving automatically,” the boxer said. “His feet weren’t on them. The piano was playing by itself. I realized you have to be careful with this guy. Everything is sleight of hand.”

Klitschko’s smarts (he is the only heavyweight champ to hold a Ph.D.) helped to mold his career (35-2, 34 KO's) and he is set to square off next against Hasim Rahman in June. The boxer - who has never been knocked down - opened up to Playboy about growing up in the Soviet Union, why boxing is like chess and the Lennox Lewis rematch-that-never-was. Below are selected quotes from Klitschko’s 20Q, conducted by Playboy contributor Jason Buhrmester:

On Lennox Lewis: “Lewis talks too much. After the fight [in 2003 that was stopped by a ringside doctor] he promised me a rematch. Then he told me I had to fight Kirk Johnson first. So I fought Kirk Johnson and knocked him out. The boxing commission began putting pressure on Lewis, saying that if he didn’t fight me he would lose the title. He retired instead. I am the person who sent him into retirement. He made a smart decision.”

On Danny Williams “destroying his dream”: “I told everybody [in the Soviet Union] that I would be a professional world champion one day and would beat Tyson. All my friends laughed and said it would never happen. I remember looking at the TV and saying, ‘One day I’ll fight you and beat you, Iron Mike’…But then Williams [fought him first and] knocked him out and destroyed my dream. I was so disappointed and angry. I decided I would show everyone I would beat the guy who beat Tyson so I fought Williams and knocked him out.”

On growing up in the Soviet Union: “All the information they gave us on the U.S. was about how it was a bad country with bad people who wanted to kill us.

“Then in 1989, when I was 18, I went to the U.S. for the first time for a kickboxing tournament. I was terrified. I was in Florida. I went to Disney World and stood there with my mouth hanging open.”

On his role in the Ukraine elections: “Many people asked me why I got involved. They said I should stay out of the election. But I don’t want to be passive. Every citizen should help develop the future of his country…If I have a choice between a dictatorship and a democracy, I will always choose democracy because I know what it’s like to grown up in a dictatorship.”

On chess: “Chess is similar to boxing. You need to develop a strategy, and you need to think two or three steps ahead about what your opponent is doing. You have to be smart. But what’s the difference between chess and boxing? In chess, nobody is an expert, but everybody plays. In boxing everybody is an expert, but nobody fights.”

WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko was given an enlightening introduction to the American boxing world when Don King attempted to sign the Ukraine native during the 1996 Olympics. The champion fighter told the May issue of Playboy (hitting newsstands on Friday, April 8) about his first meeting with the infamous promoter: “He brought [my brother Wladimir and me] to a Mike Tyson fight and gave us a proposal. He even sang to us once, at his house in Las Vegas. He sat at the piano and began playing. I was surprised - I had no idea he was so good! Then I noticed the pedals moving automatically,” the boxer said. “His feet weren’t on them. The piano was playing by itself. I realized you have to be careful with this guy. Everything is sleight of hand.”

Klitschko’s smarts (he is the only heavyweight champ to hold a Ph.D.) helped to mold his career (35-2, 34 KO's) and he is set to square off next against Hasim Rahman in June. The boxer - who has never been knocked down - opened up to Playboy about growing up in the Soviet Union, why boxing is like chess and the Lennox Lewis rematch-that-never-was. Below are selected quotes from Klitschko’s 20Q, conducted by Playboy contributor Jason Buhrmester:

On Lennox Lewis: “Lewis talks too much. After the fight [in 2003 that was stopped by a ringside doctor] he promised me a rematch. Then he told me I had to fight Kirk Johnson first. So I fought Kirk Johnson and knocked him out. The boxing commission began putting pressure on Lewis, saying that if he didn’t fight me he would lose the title. He retired instead. I am the person who sent him into retirement. He made a smart decision.”

On Danny Williams “destroying his dream”: “I told everybody [in the Soviet Union] that I would be a professional world champion one day and would beat Tyson. All my friends laughed and said it would never happen. I remember looking at the TV and saying, ‘One day I’ll fight you and beat you, Iron Mike’…But then Williams [fought him first and] knocked him out and destroyed my dream. I was so disappointed and angry. I decided I would show everyone I would beat the guy who beat Tyson so I fought Williams and knocked him out.”

On growing up in the Soviet Union: “All the information they gave us on the U.S. was about how it was a bad country with bad people who wanted to kill us.

“Then in 1989, when I was 18, I went to the U.S. for the first time for a kickboxing tournament. I was terrified. I was in Florida. I went to Disney World and stood there with my mouth hanging open.”

On his role in the Ukraine elections: “Many people asked me why I got involved. They said I should stay out of the election. But I don’t want to be passive. Every citizen should help develop the future of his country…If I have a choice between a dictatorship and a democracy, I will always choose democracy because I know what it’s like to grown up in a dictatorship.”

On chess: “Chess is similar to boxing. You need to develop a strategy, and you need to think two or three steps ahead about what your opponent is doing. You have to be smart. But what’s the difference between chess and boxing? In chess, nobody is an expert, but everybody plays. In boxing everybody is an expert, but nobody fights.”

I wish Klistchko would get out of politics and all this **** with Playboy and other nonsense and concentrate on boxing while he is still in his prime, and fight more than 1 time a year.

He's going to get knocked out soon.

Well, he fought 3 times last year.

I liked the quotes, thanks for that... Big Klit is a good guy.

fight more then once a year? are u a ****ing idiot?

2 fights in 2004

2 in 2003

2 in 2002

2 in 2001

2 in 2000

4 in 1999

10 fight in 1998

lennox lewis has never done that i think he done 8 in 1990 other then that no.

the man is only 33

ya he might get 1 fight this year but then he will get a early start next year and fight 2 or 3 times

fight more then once a year? are u a ****ing idiot?

2 fights in 2004

2 in 2003

2 in 2002

2 in 2001

2 in 2000

4 in 1999

10 fight in 1998

lennox lewis has never done that i think he done 8 in 1990 other then that no.

the man is only 33

ya he might get 1 fight this year but then he will get a early start next year and fight 2 or 3 times

He got the championship and now he never fights anymore. Hopefully he fights Toney Golota Tyson or Ruiz next year. Or even Chris Byrd or Roy Jones Jr or Lennox Lewis.

I don't know why fighting Roy would be good fot him. That wouldn't get him any credibility and Roy is DONE. Whether Roy fights again or not, he is DONE. Too much rickedy jickedy with that body of his.

the palyer piano was hialrious

he sounds like a good guy. i've never really been into the heavyweight division so i haven't seen him box.

I think him getting involved in politics is great. He sees the problem and is trying to help remove it. Ali was involved in politics alot, it made him a hero and I dont think it affected his boxing too much(apart from when he refused war).

He sat at the piano and began playing. I was surprised - I had no idea he was so good! Then I noticed the pedals moving automatically,” the boxer said. “His feet weren’t on them. The piano was playing by itself. I realized you have to be careful with this guy. Everything is sleight of hand.”


oh man..when i read that I got a damn good laugh, thanks sturm

Klichko is a dr but say...Bullseat

He has to stop all this bull**** with the interviews and get the **** off his ass and fight Rahman. Doesn't he realize that he is not respected in the boxing community yet. If he kicks Rahman's ass then people and opposing fighters will have no choice but to respect him more. By telling us he got injured jogging that's bull**** in my opinion. He wants to concentrate on helping his brother out in his next fight. The fight with Rahman was all set to go from what I understand the contracts were signed the money was agreed upon and now because he cancelled the fight they have to revisit the date and contracts all over again. I have also been hearing rumblings that when Vitali was approached by the WBC and told that he has to face Rahman, he was not very happy about it. Well my comment to him is, SUCK IT UP CHAMP!!! Prove to us that you are the best heavyweight out there and beat Rahman's muslim ass in the ground.

He has to stop all this bull**** with the interviews and get the **** off his ass and fight Rahman. Doesn't he realize that he is not respected in the boxing community yet. If he kicks Rahman's ass then people and opposing fighters will have no choice but to respect him more. By telling us he got injured jogging that's bull**** in my opinion. He wants to concentrate on helping his brother out in his next fight. The fight with Rahman was all set to go from what I understand the contracts were signed the money was agreed upon and now because he cancelled the fight they have to revisit the date and contracts all over again. I have also been hearing rumblings that when Vitali was approached by the WBC and told that he has to face Rahman, he was not very happy about it. Well my comment to him is, SUCK IT UP CHAMP!!! Prove to us that you are the best heavyweight out there and beat Rahman's muslim ass in the ground.

not respected? by u maybe, and the man's wife just had a baby. asswhole

He's going to get knocked out soon.

let me guess, tyson gonna ko him?

not respected? by u maybe, and the man's wife just had a baby. asswhole
If you ever sat there and looked at my previous posts concerning Klitschko you would notice that I am a huge fan of theirs. I am just not a blind one. I think he is delaying this thing on purpose. The fight was originally scheduled for April 30th his wife gave birth last week. One month is more than enough time to prepare for a fight especially if you have kept up your training properly the time in between.

If you ever sat there and looked at my previous posts concerning Klitschko you would notice that I am a huge fan of theirs. I am just not a blind one. I think he is delaying this thing on purpose. The fight was originally scheduled for April 30th his wife gave birth last week. One month is more than enough time to prepare for a fight especially if you have kept up your training properly the time in between.


leg injury, u know he has kickboxing leg injuries, so what if he is delaying it,

Yeah but he no longer kickboxes. He hasn't for over 7 years. I just want him to get into that ring and beat the **** out of Rahman and move onto his next opponent.

and he will just gotta wait u dotn want yr man going in nto ready do ya. besides why cram all the good stuff into april? we got the espn PPV and in july klitschko :) spacing stuff out is good, and rahman himself said he doesnt mind

When was the last time you guys watched Vitali Klistchko V.S. Mike Acklie? My goodness that fight was hilarious. Acklie got bombed by 1 shot from Optimus Prime. No Doubt. LOL. That was the most pathetic mismatch I have ever seen:

Since Adrian Stone V.S. Sugar Shane.

I can't believe some of you are saying his stock will increase after beating Rahman.

Did you all forget that Rahman got beaten clearly and thoroughly alraedy by Jahwny Louise?

Rahman is another meaningless fight for Klitschko. His 3rd meaningless fight in a row.

Hopefully, after he beats Rahman, he will do nothing other than fight other title holders.

This fight against Rahman is weak. Rahman hasn't had a meaningfull win in years.

meaningless fight with Rahman... no way. first of all Rahamn is his mandatory, so Vitaly has to fight him. Second of all nobbody else decent is available.
BTW, only one of Vitaly's last three fights was "meaningless" and that was against poor danny. Other fights were either title shot eliminators or the actual title shots.

ha-ha the piano!!!

If Hasim Rahman is a meaningless fight, who the hell is he supposed to take on? James Toney perhaps? Bwa ha ha!

Tonney??No

love to see toney vs norman stone in a mouth off contest

***** vs You ****ign **** sucker

Sanders was a meaningless fight. He was fat, old, and didn't deserve a title shot. Williams was terrified to be in the ring with him.

Both of those guys had no business fighting for a title.

Any way you try and sugar coat it, Rahman is John Ruiz's left overs.

Vitali's last two fights were against fringe contenders, and now he's fighting a guy that Ruiz already beat handily.

Who should he fight? Byrd or Ruiz. That's it.

Before there was any talk of the Rahman fight, Byrd and Ruiz were both available, and both expressed interest in fighting him.

To date, a bloated Kirk Johnson and Larry Donald are Vitali's only noteworthy wins.

After beating Rahman, unless he opts to unify, he might as well swap his WBC for the WBO, take it back to Germany, and continue to fight the kinds of guys he's been fighting his whole career.

he had to fight sanders cause sanders was liek the number 1 guy then lmao.... and it was for the title that was vacant

He's going to get knocked out soon.
what makes u think he will get knocked out

[QUOTE=Bozo_no_no]Sanders was a meaningless fight. He was fat, old, and didn't deserve a title shot. Williams was terrified to be in the ring with him.

Both of those guys had no business fighting for a title.

sanders was a top ranked heavyweight who deserved his chance with klitchko, he just knocked out his brother after all, and many people would consider williams to be in the same class as a brewster or a ruiz, williams was not terrifed he was just outclassed, in fact williams is probably one of the bravest guys in boxing today

he had to fight sanders cause sanders was liek the number 1 guy then lmao.... and it was for the title that was vacant


That doesn't change the fact it was a poor excuse for a fight against a guy that was old and hopelessly out of shape to which he followed it up with a fight against another fringe contender.

Sanders was almost 40, and he was very out of shape.

Stop trying to sugar coat it.


Corrie Sanders and Danny Williams were not credible opponents, and victories over them were not impressive in any way.

Following these two fights up by fighting a guy that's already lost to Ruiz isn't much better.

Since LOSING to Lewis, Vitali has fought two fringe contenders, and two guys that John Ruiz already beat.

Until he wins one of the two other major titles, he's got no more claim to the top spot that Ruiz or Byrd.

<br>
<br>

That doesn't change the fact it was a poor excuse for a fight against a guy that was old and hopelessly out of shape to which he followed it up with a fight against another fringe contender.


does that make any sence at all?

I don't see how it doesn't.

Was it a mandatory fight? Yes.

Did it prove anything, or elevate his status in a division up for grabs? No.

Again, to date, the biggest wins of Klitschko's career are against a bloated Kirk Johnson, and Larry Donald.

The division needs a unified champion. After he fights Rahman, there's no excuse for him to fight anyone other than the two other title holders.

The Rahman fight isn't a good match up, and isn't going to elevate his status in the least.

maybe only to u lmao. so what happens if the others dont wanna fight him?

You're the one who's deluded.

"So what if the other two don't want to fight him".


Byrd and Ruiz both openly challenged him prior to any discussion of the Rahman fight.

Byrd challenged him live on Fox's Best Damn Sports show period, and Ruiz did several times through the media:

http://www.boxing-central.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=5454


Anyway you look at it, Vitali has fought poor opposition before and since losing to Lewis.

All 3 major title holders have claim to being the #1 Heavy, and until they fight eachother nothing is going to be solved.

so do u think ruiz,brewster,and byrd can beat vitali? need i remind u byrd was losing big when vitali hurt himself.

so do u think ruiz,brewster,and byrd can beat vitali? need i remind u byrd was losing big when <b>vitali hurt himself</b>.

Ahh you mean when Vitali QUIT and LOST.

I didn't say he couldn't beat them. But does that give him a free card to not face the other title holders and continue to face stiffs?

No.

All I'm saying is that the Rahman fight isn't going to prove anything in his quest to be recognized as the top Heavy. Ruiz already clearly beat Rahman.

After this fight with Rahman, there should be no reason for him not to push for unification matches with the WBA and IBF champions.

Shame on you for mentioning Brewster.
<br>
<br>

All I'm saying is that the Rahman fight isn't going to prove anything in his quest to be recognized as the top Heavy. Ruiz already clearly beat Rahman.



Why in the hell would it matter? Rahman is the #1 contender. Ruiz is going to fight Toney, and Byrd is undecided about fighting anyone. Is Vitali supposed to call Byrd on the phone during dinner time every night, harrassing him? Or should he just cancel his fight with Rahman, and then have to listen to people like you call him a coward?

No No Bozo.............. :nono:

I made two points:

1. Beating Rahman isn't going to move him any higher in his goal to be recognized as the #1 Heavy, because Rahman already lost to Ruiz, and hasn't won a meaningful fight in years.

2. <b>AFTER</b> he fights Rahman (I never said he should cancel) he should fight no one other than the IBF or WBA champions.

Those are two valid points, and aren't meant to ruffle anyone's panties.

<br>
<br>

I want Klistchko to fight either Golota or Toney. Or Tyson, if Tyson is able to put together 2 or 3 KO comeback fights.

IMO, by the time he beats Rahman, Toney will have the WBA, and Golota will have the WBO, so those fights are good prospects.

One month is more than enough time to prepare for a fight especially if you have kept up your training properly the time in between.

No, it's not, especially if it's as important as this fight is. Rahman is a serious challenger, regardless of what many may think, and Klitchko will be in trouble if he doesn't take him seriously.

Sanders was a meaningless fight. He was fat, old, and didn't deserve a title shot. Williams was terrified to be in the ring with him.

Both of those guys had no business fighting for a title.

Any way you try and sugar coat it, Rahman is John Ruiz's left overs.

Vitali's last two fights were against fringe contenders, and now he's fighting a guy that Ruiz already beat handily.

Who should he fight? Byrd or Ruiz. That's it.

Before there was any talk of the Rahman fight, Byrd and Ruiz were both available, and both expressed interest in fighting him.

To date, a bloated Kirk Johnson and Larry Donald are Vitali's only noteworthy wins.

After beating Rahman, unless he opts to unify, he might as well swap his WBC for the WBO, take it back to Germany, and continue to fight the kinds of guys he's been fighting his whole career.

Ugh, why post such nonsense?

Neither Byrd or Ruiz were interested in fighting Klitchko until after the Rahman fight was signed. And after all three fighters have faced their next opponents, Byrd and Ruiz (if they win) will both be "otherwise engaged" unless Klitchko is made their mandatory (something that will never happen, not in a million years). You can expect Don King to schedule a fight between Ruiz and Byrd, or hell to freeze over, before he'll allow either of his title holders to ink a fight against Klitchko. It won't be until after the winners of Byrd and Ruiz's next fights have faced one another before any unification fight will have even a remote chance of being scheduled, if then.

Remember where you read this. And just so you know, sometimes I really hate being right all the time.

Bozo, I can't believe anyone would post the **** you have and not know how damned stupid and self-contradicting it is. You're either deliberately trolling, or you're mildly to moderately retarded (what an institution would deem a "High End Moron").

Bozo, I can't believe anyone would post the **** you have and not know how damned stupid and self-contradicting it is. You're either deliberately trolling, or you're mildly to moderately retarded (what an institution would deem a "High End Moron").


I can't help you if you're not bright enough to understand.

Byrd challenged Klitschko live on television long before there was even talk of the Rahman fight.

Ruiz issued several public challenges similar to the LINK I POSTED; and now Vitali is fighting someone Ruiz already beat.

Since its obvious you've gotten you're panties in such a bunch, I'll repeat myself. The two points I were making were:
<b>

1. Beating Rahman isn't going to move him any higher in his goal to be recognized as the #1 Heavy, because Rahman already lost to Ruiz, and hasn't won a meaningful fight in years.

2. AFTER he fights Rahman (I never said he should cancel) he should fight no one other than the IBF or WBA champions.

</b>


Unless you care to take issue with either of those points in a constructive manner, I sugges you just stop posting.

I wonder what the Robot had to say to Playboy. It was probably something like.

"Beep beep bop dop beep beep"
"He destroyed my dream to fight mike tyson."

All you did was spout a bunch of garbage trying to justify the poor fights and red tape that's preventing the division from being unified.

The Heavyweight division needs a unified Champion. In other divisions, fighters line up the fights that will prove who's the #1 fighter in the division.

How many belts were on the line when Tarver and Johnson fought and who's now the Lt Heavyweight Champion?

Maybe Klitschko couldn't help that he had to fight a fat and old Corrie Sanders to win the belt, but if you're telling me you have no problem with him continuing to fight mandatories for the WBC when it's turning out to be guys like Sanders and Rahman, you're an IDIOT.

The title holders need to fight eachother. Byrd was and still is available, and Vitali is still following through with the Rahman fight.

You have a lot of nerve being critical with all the non sensical trife I've seen you spout in the last 48 hrs.

Remember where you read this. And just so you know, sometimes I really hate being right all the time.


You think you're pretty bright don't you jackass?

I'll tell you exactly what's going to happen:

The biggest move made at Heavywieght this year was Don King signing to co promote James Toney.

Toney is going to win the WBA title Apr 30th in convincing fashion. Toney's only interest is winning titles. Toney will bring some attention to the division with his mouthing off, and will fight Byrd later this Summer.

The winner of that fight will hold 2 of the 3 titles, and will challenge Vitali. Vitali will then fight someone like Monte Barrett saying the his fans know he's the real champion.

Lets talk again in the fall and see who was closer to being right.

You think you're pretty bright don't you jackass?

I'll tell you exactly what's going to happen:

The biggest move made at Heavywieght this year was Don King signing to co promote James Toney.

Toney is going to win the WBA title Apr 30th in convincing fashion. Toney's only interest is winning titles. Toney will bring some attention to the division with his mouthing off, and will fight Byrd later this Summer.

The winner of that fight will hold 2 of the 3 titles, and will challenge Vitali. Vitali will then fight someone like Monte Barrett saying the his fans know he's the real champion.

Lets talk again in the fall and see who was closer to being right.

i thought barret was byrd's mandatory not klitschko lmao,

You think you're pretty bright don't you jackass?

I'll tell you exactly what's going to happen:

The biggest move made at Heavywieght this year was Don King signing to co promote James Toney.

Toney is going to win the WBA title Apr 30th in convincing fashion. Toney's only interest is winning titles. Toney will bring some attention to the division with his mouthing off, and will fight Byrd later this Summer.

The winner of that fight will hold 2 of the 3 titles, and will challenge Vitali. Vitali will then fight someone like Monte Barrett saying the his fans know he's the real champion.

Lets talk again in the fall and see who was closer to being right. Well, I know I'm pretty bright, if you must know....bright enough to know that Toney isn't going to willingly fight Klitchko unless he's getting enough cash to retire permanently, because he will be retired permanently if he were to fight Klitchcko.

It figures you're a Toney fan.

And yep, I agree...let's just wait and see who's right. In the meanwhile, though, your ignorance and inability to understand even the most basic concepts in boxing, as well as your outright willful stupidity and hostility, have earned you the prestigious position of being the first person I've ignored on a boxing forum.

Congrats, ****wit. This is the last word you'll ever read from me in response to your bull****.

Well, I know I'm pretty bright, if you must know....bright enough to know that Toney isn't going to willingly fight Klitchko unless he's getting enough cash to retire permanently, because he will be retired permanently if he were to fight Klitchcko.

It figures you're a Toney fan.

And yep, I agree...let's just wait and see who's right. In the meanwhile, though, your ignorance and inability to understand even the most basic concepts in boxing, as well as your outright willful stupidity and hostility, have earned you the prestigious position of being the first person I've ignored on a boxing forum.

Congrats, ****wit. This is the last word you'll ever read from me in response to your bull****.


LMAO,

That's right, I'm being ignorant in telling you both Byrd and Ruiz challenged Klitschko long before there was any talk of a Rahman fight, and that everyone wants to see the titles inified.

You've done nothing to adress my points other than display how upset they make you, which does nothing but prove what a giat Klitschko nut hugger you are.

Oh, and Toney was also looking to fight Vitali before the Rahman fight was talked about, as Dan Goosen spent about 8 months trying to open discussions for it.

But you should just continue to do this:

<img src=http://www.nzavs.org.nz/graphics/headSand.jpg>

and throw out insults rather than try and deconstruct the points that have your panties in such a bunch.

lol. What a ***** you are. I bet you're a big Wlad fan too. lmao.

i thought barret was byrd's mandatory not klitschko lmao,


Vitali has mentioned Barrett as a potential opponent several times.

no no i think he was goign to replace rahman when rahman was thinking about pulling out of the fight, i dotn think vitali is callign out barret lol

no no i think he was goign to replace rahman when rahman was thinking about pulling out of the fight, i dotn think vitali is callign out barret lol

No, he was being considered for the December date that Danny Williams ended up getting. Vitali has mentioned Barrett as a potential future opponent several times over the last year.

No, he was being considered for the December date that Danny Williams ended up getting. Vitali has mentioned Barrett as a potential future opponent several times over the last year.


i havent heard it, maybe soem articles plz :)

i havent heard it, maybe soem articles plz :)


From a quick google search:

Aug 2004: http://www.********boxing.com/news.php?p=1632&more=1
(Replace ********* with East Side) (I don't know why it won't link)

July 2004: http://www.talkingboxing.com/interviews/barrettinterview.html


I'm sure if you dug deeper, you'd find a lot more. I remember before the Danny Williams fight was signed, Klitschko was set on making his 1st defense agaisnt Barrett. When the Rahman fight looked off, he also went back to mentioning Barrett.

barrett would provide no better fight for VK than williams did... actually he probably wouldn't last as long...