Does anyone know if the Klitschkos PHD's are genuine academic qualifications or are they merely honorary doctorates that were awarded due to their status. I was having a discussion about this with a friend and was pretty sure one of the many Klitschko obsessed posters here would have the answer.
They are not serious science like Valuev's many degrees in Anthropology, Geology, Russo-Rhythmology, Seismology, Marine Biology, Biology, Chemistry, Zoology, Ecology and Musicology, etc.
I'm pretty sure that the only boxer (household name) that has a legit college education today is Juan Diaz.
I have a Ph.D., and to my knowledge these Ph.D.s are legitimate, in that the Klitschkos completed a course of study and had to do some form of dissertation to receive them. However, it is not like they went to even a second-tier university in the US, Britain or Germany - their degrees are from the Kiev University of Physical Science and Sport. While I am sure there was some rigor in their programs, I doubt it comparable to what most universities in the western world require.
I may be wrong on this, but I think I remember reading a couple years ago how at least one of the brothers had their PH.D. degree accredited in Germany and had to defend his credentials versus 3 German professors who grilled him over his dissertation before allowing him to carry his title officially in Germany.
Off course it's real. As a fellow scholar of Russo-Rythmology frankly I'm offended that you would even question it's legitimacy. I only hope that one day I can be an intellectual equal to the great SNV.
Is it totally unbelievable that a pro fighter can have a brain as well? How many pro athletes in the NFL, MLB, and NHL have degrees? And they play from everyday in the case of MLB to once a week for the NFL. Boxers have months off to train. Im sure they have time to study in between training sessions. And the Klits very seldomly ever get hit, save for the fight with Lewis, Sanders, and Brewster (for Vit and Wlad respectfully). They are definitely not in the same league as someone like Bowe or even Holyfield. I am aware that what they claim to have is significantly more advanced than an undergrad degree, but it's definitely plausible, and a serious insult to the sport if anyone believes it is impossible, and even not likely.