Klitschko sends positive message with academic achievement

Abu Dhabi: The World Boxing Council (WBC) Heavyweight boxing champion Vitali Klitschko is a role model for all aspiring sportsmen. He is the first professional boxing champion to hold a PhD in sports science.

"I owe my success in sports to the encouragement from my parents. My mother was always supportive and my father always pushed me to box," remarked Klitschko, whose father was a former Soviet Air Force Colonel and mother a teacher.

Klitschko's younger brother Wladimir Klitschko is the current IBF, WBO, IBO and Ring Magazine world heavyweight champion. When asked about his brother, a proud Klitschko said: "If there is one guy who can beat me, he is my younger brother. I am afraid to fight him."

Klitschko and his brother have been involved in charitable activities dedicated to supports the needs of schools, churches and children. They also work for the Unesco which supports more than 180 projects in 87 countries.

"Boxing needs to change a lot. We need to give opportunity for young new boxers to come in. We need new names to emerge in boxing," he said. Klitschko was delighted to hear about Abu Dhabi gearing up to host the Ultimate Fighting Championship, a mixed martial arts event, in April at Yas Island.

"I know martial arts is a very tough sport. I know well about martial arts because I started off with kick boxing and reached the top. I was many times invited to get into martial arts but I stuck to boxing," said Klitschko, who has a record of 34-1 with 22 knockouts in kick boxing. Klitschko is a close friend of world chess champion Vladimir Kramnik and has even played with him many times. His doctoral thesis was on talent and sponsorship in sports. The Kiev University of Physical Science and Sports conferred him with the PhD.