WLADMIR KLITSCHKO has revealed that his brother Vitali pleaded with him to retire aft

(News Article) May 22 2011

WLADMIR KLITSCHKO has revealed that his brother Vitali pleaded with him to retire after two embarrassing knockout defeats. The IBF and WBO heavyweight champion was at rock bottom after coming unstuck against Corrie Sanders in March 2003 and Lamon Brewster 13 months later.

Since losing to Brewster, Klitschko has won 13 consecutive fights and established himself as the world's leading heavyweight despite the claims of his older brother, the WBC champion. Vitali pleaded with his younger brother to quit boxing and find a day job after seeing him slaughtered in two rounds by the South African and in five by American Brewster Wladimir, 35, revealed: "I fell in love with boxing after two fights I lost against Brewster and Sanders.

"I was destroyed and at the bottom of the sport - destroyed by fans, media, everyone and I ended up on the floor. "Even my brother Vitali said, 'Look at your face, where you are right now, I think it's time to say goodbye to the sport'.

"I thought I wasn't where I belonged. I was always a champ but suddenly I was on the floor. It was very motivational and a great experience. "If I could change those things, I wouldn't. I would never be the person I am today inside or outside the ring if I hadn't suffered those two losses." Wladimir is now looking forward to a £40million unification clash on July 2 in Hamburg against David Haye. His clash against the outspoken Londoner is the biggest heavyweight blockbuster since Lennox Lewis defeated Mike Tyson almost nine years ago.

And the stony-faced Ukrainian insists he will make the crass-talking WBA champion his 50th knockout victim after modelling himself on former undisputed world champion Lewis. Klitschko is trained by Emanuel, Steward who spent years making former undisputed champion Lewis one of the greatest heavyweights ever. Klitschko, who is training for the much-anticipated 12 rounder in Austria, said: "I look at Lennox as an idol to look at certain things he did, and Thomas Hearns.

"Lennox did certain things because Emanuel was training him and Emanuel can explain better than anyone else the background of Lennox's technique. "There were certain things I took from other different fighters and even Mike Tyson. Even though we are different sizes, certain things I took from Mike as well. "Manny lets you be yourself - he doesn't want to make another Lewis, Hearns or Oscar De La Hoya.

"He lets the natural things happen and with the things you are more comfortable with. "We have an amazing relationship between fighter and trainer. We talk a lot, more than we train, because of the experience he had."

Thoughts?

Peace

 

Good point, I agree. :thumbsup

 

This ^ :good