Vitali about Tyson, Haye, Chisora, King and others

The Don King stuff is covered brilliantly in the Klitschko movie. Such a complete fraud of a man. Yeah King pretending to play the piano and then bragging about how great he was had me rolling. :lol1: "What other promoter could play like that?"

The Don King stuff is covered brilliantly in the Klitschko movie. Such a complete fraud of a man.

Fascinating insight into the mans thoughts on interesting subjects.I like what he said about King haha. I have nothing but respect and admiration for him and his brother.green sent. Yeah, actually I think Vitali likes to make fun of King.

Vitali Klitschko is a genius in many ways, and Wladimir looks up to him a lot (he told me in person).

Vitalie does a great service in talking about Schmelling. I wish more people knew what a great guy Schmelling was....he also helped Louis as a friend, maybe that is why the Klitschkos have an ethic to aid Sander's. They deserve resepect for that ethical position. However, lets not be fooled by the King analogy....Devil? the Klitschkos with their own arrogant management are no less profit driven. King has been despicable but Brondt and Arum are no less so. The Klitschko's management group doesn't exploit it's fighters, it just ensures that it's champions get what they are due. It's been standard in boxing now for 100 years.

Great words, spoken like a champ, by the champ. Cant wait for the return of the great one.

Vitalie does a great service in talking about Schmelling. I wish more people knew what a great guy Schmelling was....he also helped Louis as a friend, maybe that is why the Klitschkos have an ethic to aid Sander's. They deserve resepect for that ethical position. However, lets not be fooled by the King analogy....Devil? the Klitschkos with their own arrogant management are no less profit driven. King has been despicable but Brondt and Arum are no less so. In one of his interviews Vitali said that while he consider Sugar Ray Leonard to be greatest boxer, Max Schmeling for him is the greatest person in boxing - he was an example both in and out of the ring. Max also morally backed Wlad when he lost to Ross Puritty. So I think yes - Max Schmeling made huge impact on both brothers and is a role model for Vitali.

Vitalie does a great service in talking about Schmelling. I wish more people knew what a great guy Schmelling was....he also helped Louis as a friend, maybe that is why the Klitschkos have an ethic to aid Sander's. They deserve resepect for that ethical position. However, lets not be fooled by the King analogy....Devil? the Klitschkos with their own arrogant management are no less profit driven. King has been despicable but Brondt and Arum are no less so.

Vice verse - Vitali an his brother Wlad actually helped Corrie Sanders' family (Corrie knocked Wlad out and gave tough fight to Vitali) after his tragical death. They also filmed Lamon Brewster (knocked Wlad out under suspicious conditions) in their documentary and mention Chris Byrd (technically considered defeated Vitali due to his shoulder injury) with respect. Oh my, you are right, yes Sanders died last year while trying to save one of his relatives I think, he was shot in the stomach. My bad. Anyway I think the 2 Klitschko's are truly amazing persons in and out of the ring.

Good read. Interesting, profound insights from the champ. While reading this I was kinda hoping to read something nasty like "I cherish beating up the punks who knocked out my little brother" but I guess that's not in his character. Vice verse - Vitali and his brother Wlad actually helped Corrie Sanders' family (Corrie knocked Wlad out and gave tough fight to Vitali) after his tragical death. They also filmed Lamon Brewster (knocked Wlad out under suspicious conditions) in their documentary and mention Chris Byrd (technically considered defeated Vitali due to his shoulder injury) with respect.

Good read. Interesting, profound insights from the champ. While reading this I was kinda hoping to read something nasty like "I cherish beating up the punks who knocked out my little brother" but I guess that's not in his character.

Great read, thanks for posting. Great to read anything from such an intelligent, accomplished man. Physically powerful and imposing but also intellectually powerful. Thanks for posting TS great interview from a legend! Thanks! He is good role model. It is a pity that Haye, who is also quite intelligent, chose a different, easier but lower path to attract public attention.

Thanks for posting TS great interview from a legend!

Great read, thanks for posting. Great to read anything from such an intelligent, accomplished man. Physically powerful and imposing but also intellectually powerful.

great read. Cheers. Thanks for sharing! Good read. Thank you.

Thanks for sharing! Good read.

Thank you very much; real insight into a champion. His description of his meeting with Don King is hilarious. And his comments about being poor surprised me, as his father was a Soviet Colonel and later a general. Perhaps poor by standards in Europe outside the Soviet Union. Economical situation after collapse of the Soviet Union in early 1990-th (from 1991 up to 1995 in Ukraine) was very hard - hyperinflation, crush of ideals and state structures, state institutes suffered lack of funding, Army included. You could easily meet decorated professor selling food on market because his University was not funded enough to pay him for living. Many man from the Army and former KGB leave state service those days and became criminalized because of lack of state financing. Same for the boxers and wrestlers, most of which those days where involved in criminal "brigades".

http://ss.sport-express.ru/userfiles/press/3/37702/52900_origin.jpg About Tyson We have long been familiar with. In close communication everything they say about Mike is lost. It's not hard to understand him: a native of Harlem. He thought the whole world lives by the same rules as the Harlem. But inside - a good guy, fun to talk to him. It's a shame when Joe Louis serves as a doorman in "Caesar's Palace" in Las Vegas. Or Tyson files for bankruptcy. Not boxing because of debts to the tax authorities. I asked him: "Mike, are you going to box again?" - "The last two fights didn't brought me a cent. Money immediately went to pay off debts. I don't want to enter in the ring for nothing, there is no motivation". About Don King Don King invited us in Las Vegas. We watched the fight and went to the King's home. And the "concert" started: "if you guys just sign the contract you'll receive mountains of gold , and immediately...". There is a saying: "Gently spreads, hard to sleep". Spreads so soft that we intuitively feel - something is not right. Plus a nuance. King was eating a turkey. He swung turkeys leg, chatting with us. And the King's hairs... did you see them? Boxers sais that the famous Don King's hairstyle fashioned so that horns will not to be visible. One of the hairs, long, twisted like a spiral, fell to the turkey leg. King did not notice it. I whispered to my brother: "Volodya, will he eat it?". And he ate - even not choked. God forbid to sign a contract with him - he would eat us as well. With giblets. We have long tried to convince Karmazin to not conclude contact with King. In 2002, trained together in Los Angeles. I said: "Roma, change your mind. He stripped of money everyone - from Muhammad Ali to Tyson". Karmazin said dismissively: "What are you saying! He is a great promoter...". But King takes boxers and squeezes them as lemons - and goodbye. Generally crooks in the boxing business in bulk. Most guys are signing contracts, without realizing that they doom themselves. I can not say sold into slavery - but something close to it. Titles come and go, but life does not change for those boxers. Tens of millions of dollars flashed around them, but ends up in the pockets of their managers, promoters, speculators from boxing that tell them interesting fables. And Don King is no exception. About Chisora and Haye Chisora do not ​​think his actions ahead. They are the essence of this man. They are his reality. Arrests by the police, fights, wife beating, some scandals. If Chisora ​​will continue to behave this way, it may end up sad for him. Another thing for David Haye - for him it's all some kind of play, spectacle, in which he plays well. In our business you need cold calculation. The only thing I regret - that I did not knock Chisora out. There were reasons for why I beat Chisory only on points. Before the fight I have injured my right hand. Boxed virtually single-handedly, which allows to maintain the distance. And when the opponent is going on you and pressing, you'll need the right hand to stop him. http://img.thesun.co.uk/aidemitlum/archive/01456/Haye_Bottle_682x40_1456042a.jpg About Max Schmeling I've learned German language reading his memoirs. The story of this man who saved Jews at Kristallnacht 1938, made a huge impression on me. But even more I was shocked when meet him. Schmeling was then about 90 years old. The last time we saw each other for a year before his death - and he did not live a few months before the century. At the same time led an active life. He said: "I would like to die at my desk". We discussed various topics - from boxing to politics. He was aware of all the events analyzed our fights. God bless everyone in this age to keep such clear mind! Do not forget, Schmeling during his career was in knockouts. The number of rounds in those years was not limited. Boxing gloves resembled bare fists. http://icdn.lenta.ru/images/0000/0203/000002030146/pic_1358731293.jpg About his favorite fights There are interesting fights, there are emotional fights, there are dramatic fights. Some fights you pass through yourself, remember them for years. Emotionally brightest to the audience was my fight with Lennox Lewis. In front of me - the strongest fighter of our time. Passions such that all in the balance. One time he is close to knock me out. Other time it is Lewis who in a state of groggy. Against Tomasz Adamek was a beautiful, classic duel. But special fight for me is the fight with Herbie Hide. There's a crazy background, very few people know about it. This is my first world title among professionals in 1999. Inadequate opponent's antics , threats, war of nerves on the brink of a foul. High stakes for my loss. I came out to the ring - ugly gestures from opponent. Imagine the psychological stress! And rival who threatened you, organized the hell out of the last days of your life, lying unconscious in a knockout. I felt great satisfaction from winning that day. About temptation of easy money In the early 1990s, the gangsters were trying to lure me in their "business". There were guys who have trained with us in one room and used physical data for other purposes. It was hard time, we lived in poverty. I shared my thoughts with the coach: "I was invited too, maybe I shall try? Look on those guys - nice suits, cars, and money. And we have nothing but enthusiasm...". He found words of wisdom: "Vitali, you'll gonna have it all. But your way is a sport". I thank him for he have saved me, a teenager, from stupid things. After all, it was a road to nowhere. About children My principled position - the parents must give their children a decent education. Everything else they have to make themselves. I dream of Harvard. If my children will be educated in one of the most prestigious universities in the world, my mission as a father would be practically implemented. http://images.jagran.com/Harvard_University_5913.jpg thanks... that was some good reading... interesting perspective. words of an educated man... do you think james toney could sound the smart?

Thank you very much; real insight into a champion. His description of his meeting with Don King is hilarious. And his comments about being poor surprised me, as his father was a Soviet Colonel and later a general. Perhaps poor by standards in Europe outside the Soviet Union. I agree especially about the poverty...

This is a story which should be constantly posted. It speaks of truth and gentility. Thank you very much; real insight into a champion. His description of his meeting with Don King is hilarious. And his comments about being poor surprised me, as his father was a Soviet Colonel and later a general. Perhaps poor by standards in Europe outside the Soviet Union.