Klitschko brothers. Yesterday, today and tomorrow…

After a busy schedule before the Eurovision 2005 contest, Vitali and Wladimir participated in charitable soccer match, playing on Andriy Shevchenko’s team. Since then, they’ve taken a little break and we were able to ask them some questions.
Below you can read our dialogue with Vitali and Wladimir, which should answer some of your questions about recent developments.


We congratulate you with your debut. You have tried various sports before, but never soccer. What do you think of the match and your performance?
Vitali: First of all, I want to thank Andriy Shevchenko and all players on «Golden Team for Children» that they agreed to take part in this charitable match. This match allowed organizers to collect donations to provide realistic and necessary help to children’s homes in Ukraine. It’s great that such events bring together many sports starts, show stars and public figures; uniting them all with one purpose - to help.
As for my participation in this match, it was virtual and limited only to cheering for both teams. Several weeks ago I was operated and I’m still recovering. And as you know, soccer is a full contact sport, where you can be easily injured. Therefore I decided not to take this risk.
Wladimir: Similar events should be carried out more often. During our match people were able to send sms which posted them one euro. Organizers still have to count how much was donated, but I’m sure it’ll be an impressive sum, which will go to support children’s homes in Ukraine and Tibet.
As for the game, I played in the second half… and missed four shoots. And since I haven’t played soccer since I was a schoolboy, I wasn’t that bad. But seriously, there were no losers. Most importantly those children needing help were the real winners.

Let’s return to boxing. Vitali, few days ago, all mass media have disturbuted information that you have challenged Lamon Brewster, and agreed to face him in September. What can you tell us about this information?
The thing is that after Lamon’s fight with Golota, he declared that he wants to fight me. I always said that it’s great when there is opponent ready to fight you. Lamon was very good against Golota. I think that our fight would be very interesting to boxing fans. If Brewster really wants this, my team is ready to begin negotiations to make it a reality.


Well, what about your title defence that was planned for September 24, against the winner of Hasim Rahman-Monte Barret duel? There are rumors that you are willing to give up championship belt for a fight with Brewster. How accurate is this information?
There’s no way I’m going to give up the WBC championship belt. July 23rd, the winner of Rahman-Barret fight will become my challenger against whom I’ll have to defend my championship belt. Many fans have waited a long time to see this fight, and it will happen.

When is it possible to say that after September 24th fight, there is an opportunity to start negotiations with Lamon Brewster?
First of all I have to defend the WBC championship belt. Only after that we can talk about future plans.

Vitali, any comments regarding Hasim Rahman’s open letter addressed to you?
Only that he wanted to gain attention by doing this. That’s part of professional boxing. I sincerely wish Hasim Rahman a victory over Monte Barrett, since then he’ll be able to prove his words when we’ll face each other. I’m not looking past him. He is very strong and skilled fighter. But I can only fight him if we can beat Monte Barrett.

Wladimir, all of us expect that this summer you’ll enter the ring again. However this didn’t happen. What’s the reason for this?
Initially I was supposed to fight against the IBF champion Chris Byrd. And since I’m rated as # 3 by the IBF, and both Hasim Rahman and Monte Barrett are facing each other for the Interim WBC, I was expecting to fight Chris. However he’s going to face Sergey Liakhovich. Now my team and I have to determine our future steps.


Is it somehow connected with information that you are going to challenge IBF to make you official challenger by going to court in the state of New Jersey?
Initially I started a case in the state of New Jersey to make me the official challenger to the IBF championship belt. But now, that the official rating for the month of May is published, I’m going to turn to court to address this issue. Reason for this √ first and second positions are not rated, while third position was given to DaVarryl Williamson. I’m rated as number four. I don’t agree with these rankings, since last October Williamson lost to me. Besides, in his last fight, he won against Derrick Jeffersion, against whom I have also won. I’m going to challenge this decision by the IBF, since I think that I have the full right to be official challenger for the IBF title.

Some information has been published that you refused to pay ten thousand dollars to the IBF to make you official challenger for their title?
I’m ready to follow all rules regulated by IBF, including payment of the necessary sum. But, in these circumstances, I simply have no other way than to turn to court.

Wladimir, is it possible to assume that having rated you as number four, and DaVarryl as number three, IBF wanted to create a title elimination fight, where both of you would face each other?
Quite possible. However I think that I have the right to challenge for the IBF championship title. It’s difficult for me to predict how this will end, but I don’t want to give anybody what belongs to me. I think that I need to consult with my team before we take any other steps.

Then, our last question. How and where do you plan to spend your vacation?
Wladimir: Since our work keeps us abroad most of the time, I would very much like to spend time in Kiev and other parts of Ukraine.
Vitali: For us, our best vacation is where our home is.