Brothers in gloves: Wladimir Klitschko and Vitaly Klitschko
Klitschko brothers to fight each other?
Published 08 June, 2009, 12:54
WBO and IBF Heavyweight World Champion, Wladimir Klitschko, says there’s possibility that he’ll fight his elder brother, WBC champ Vitaly, The Independent newspaper reports.
Earlier, the Ukrainians claimed they would never step into the ring against each other, because their mother strongly objected to it.
"We are going to talk to our mother again, because we know how much interest such a fight would create, and it would mean that one of us would be the Supreme Heavyweight Champion. Of course, she would not be happy, and if we did fight, I would be very worried about the health of my brother because it would be very bloody and very bad. We are very competitive, and it would be for real. There would be no fix," Wladimir Klitschko said.
The boxer couldn’t predict the outcome of the bout, saying: "I am the better technical boxer, but he is the stronger of the two of us. It would be interesting."
Vitaly’s reaction to the statement has not yet been revealed.
The brothers, who are very close in their personal lives, used to hold sparring matches in the past, but then gave up the practice, because those “friendly” fights became too fierce.
But before facing his closest relative, Wladimir Klitschko has another bout on his schedule. He’s facing the WBA ‘champion in recess’ Ruslan Chagaev on June 20, who’s replacing injured British boxer David Haye.
Chagaev’s May 30 fight, with Russian Nikolay Valuev, also didn’t take place, due to hepatitis found in the Uzbek boxer’s blood on the eve of the match.
But Klitschko seems not to be afraid of the illness, as Chagaev’s managers claim their fighter’s decease is not infectious.
Meanwhile, Valuev finds Klitschko’s decision to fight the Uzbek doubtful.
“It is understandable why Chagaev agreed to fight Wladimir. For Chagaev, it is the last chance because he is sick. Chagaev is clutching at straws, while Wladimir Klitschko is just trying to save an evening of boxing. Nevertheless, I do not understand why Klitschko Jr. would go into the ring against a man who has hepatitis. Klitschko is vaccinated against hepatitis B, but he’s still at risk,” Nikolay Valuev said in his blog at sportbox.ru.
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