Klitschko brothers bring their documentary to London
Heavyweight world champions Wladimir and Vitali Klitschko wooed a media round table in a plush five star hotel in Hounslow on Monday as they promoted the launch of their personal documentary and declared their dream of heavyweight dominance has come true.
The giant double act entertained boxing scribes with their wit and intelligence as they basked in the glory of being the only brothers in prizefighter history to hold a clean sweep of world title belts.
On entering the room smiling, Wladimir apologised for their late arrival before moving around to warmly shake everybody's hand. Cruelly labelled as robotic and boring champions throughout their joint heavyweight domination, there now seems to be a timely change of opinion in giving them both the respect their conduct and records deserve.
I can whole heartedly admit that I have never been a Klitschko fan but their performances in and out of the ring (particularly Wladimir) has enabled me to appreciate and admire two men I would now best describe as ‘class acts.’ Any aspiring young athlete would do themselves a huge favour in looking up to men who have climbed to the top of the tree as professional sports champions and also attained academic heights.
Wladimir was the more vocal of the two and unsurprisingly radiated huge contentment and slight cheek, fresh from giving trash talking David Haye a boxing and conduct lesson just over a week ago.
The brother’s manager Bernd Boente opened up proceedings saying, “We are all very happy RTL our German TV broadcaster had 16.2 million. (viewers). It was a huge event, very happy about the win there are no questions after that fight maybe about his (Haye`s) little toe.
“I think from our side everything is good and we would be more than happy to have other English fighters in the future as opponents and maybe even fight here one day.”
Wladimir then jokingly introduced his brother, “The WBC champion Vitali Klitschko” and Vitali fired back “I want to introduce the absolute, undisputed world champion, I am very happy my brother Wladimir.”
Keen to engage and play Wladimir added, “It`s a beautiful day here in sunny London, it`s great to be back.”
Briefly pausing, Wladimir - whose punches have now seen him on a run of ten successful title defences - had a challenge for the men with pens. “Whose the strongest guy here let me pick,” he proclaimed as his eyes began to gaze around the room. “Raise your hand who is the strongest guy. I mean physically.”
Times boxing writer Ron Lewis was nominated as the one to pick up a black case containing their prized belts which Wladimir describes as ‘representing 15 years hard work in professional boxing.’
“There are six belts that exist in boxing and I remember there has always been the question who is the champion in the heavyweight division, which version is more important, which champion is stronger and better.
“There have been a lot of questions but now I think the questions have been answered.
“There is only one family name that exists in (the) heavyweight division and only one family name that covers all the ratings of champions in all different versions and we are very happy that our dream came true.
“Behind every belt there is a history, there is a story and of course a lot of work. The story behind these belts you can actually watch in the coming documentary which (is) called Klitschko.
“It`s in German speaking countries, it`s going to come to the US market by September and has to be properly translated in English, it`s going to hit the UK market.”
Like just about everything else they have done so far a huge boxing documentary best seller wouldn't be a surprise.
I wonder if the former WBA champion will be watching?
