Klitschko Quotes & Sayings

Nobody is born as a champion. You have to earn it through hard work. Get started! — Wladimir Klitschko

The reality of growing up is we changed schools so many times, my brother was my best friend. We have a five-year age gap, and my brother inspired me. He started boxing, and I just want to show that I could do things better than him. — Wladimir Klitschko

You are a real champion. You talk a lot over the past six months and it is going to be great to show you inside the ring how it is better to resolve wars. Let's talk in the office. — Vitali Klitschko

I'm going to give him a pizza face. — Wladimir Klitschko

Exactly this type of people like you, at the beginning you're gonna be shy but later on you're gonna jump on a chair and you will scream hit him! — Wladimir Klitschko

I'm quite shocked by the recent British media stories about an alleged brawl between myself and Dereck Chisora. I am a professional prize fighter and let my fists do the talking only inside the ring. I don't want to comment on Chisora's psychological issues. — Wladimir Klitschko

I was actually very surprised, and I told myself wow, I want to fight this guy. — Vitali Klitschko

In the old days, when Muhammad Ali was fighting Ken Norton, Joe Frazier and George Foreman, there was a lot of excitement in the heavyweight division, I have to admit it. — Wladimir Klitschko

Klitschko was the reigning champion for a decade and regarded by many as one of the greatest heavyweights of all time. I'm never going to face another opponent with that legacy. — Tyson Fury

I know he's retired, but I'm a big fan of Shaquille O'Neal, his game and his personality. I have a pair of his shoes in my office. You see the size of his shoe and think, 'This is not real, this couldn't belong to a human being.' But he is human! — Wladimir Klitschko

The challenge for me is his size because, for the first time in my career, I'll be meeting an opponent who is taller than me and has a longer reach. — Wladimir Klitschko

After Chernobyl, thousands and thousands of people, if not millions, were given a death penalty and had to pay the price, our father among them. — Wladimir Klitschko

Sometimes it's boring because it takes time, but it's enjoyable. So beating up people for a living is really fun. — Wladimir Klitschko

Chess and boxing have a lot in common, as both sports rely on the right strategy. — Vitali Klitschko

I don't like to get hit, who likes it? I probably wouldn't do this sport if I was getting hit that much. — Wladimir Klitschko

On your way to the top, you always get some chriticism. Criticism is a great motivation. — Wladimir Klitschko

I think we have tremendous media covering the sport of boxing, even if boxing is a little bit lost in popularity with MMA sports. And I think that with the show 'Lights Out' it's going to get more attention to the sport, and it's going to put more attention to the problems that athletes in general have. — Wladimir Klitschko

That's the most terrible mistake you can make: to relax. It's difficult to become a champion, but it's more difficult to maintain it for many years because you're getting too comfortable. — Wladimir Klitschko

I don't care where people come from. It is not important to me. If you are good people will like you, if you're not, they won't. It is simple. — Wladimir Klitschko

[Wladimir] Klitschko is a different kettle of fish to Haye. He is a genuine man with an excellent team behind him and they are genuine fighting people. — Tyson Fury

Chess is similar to boxing. You need to develop a strategy, and you need to think two or three steps ahead about what your opponent is doing. You have to be smart. But what's the difference between chess and boxing? In chess, nobody is an expert, but everybody plays. In boxing everybody is an expert, but nobody fights. — Vitali Klitschko

It's not my place to compare myself to greats like Tyson, Frazier or men like that. But I would look at a fighter like Evander Holyfield. He's a great heavyweight who worked his way up through the weight classes to become champion and had to beat bigger men along the way. — Wladimir Klitschko

As a champion, I can't fight against weak fighters. — Vitali Klitschko

People power. It has no limits. In politics, every politician in Ukraine is afraid of that. They know, if people go to the streets, nobody feels safe. — Vitali Klitschko

Vitali [Klitschko] does want to fight me, but his promoter wants to be bigger than him. This is another situation of politics in the sport. — Lennox Lewis

Tired? I don't think so. I'm in such good shape that I could box even 25 rounds. — Vitali Klitschko

I would compare it to an actor. I drive myself into the character that later on is in the ring. — Wladimir Klitschko

Earlier in my career, I never thought of boxing as a chess game, but I confirm that they are, in fact, very similar. You can plan your fights and strategy just like you would in chess. — Wladimir Klitschko

David Haye is too light. Simply too light. He's not a real heavyweight. — Vitali Klitschko

You talk about me, I am chicken to fight you. That's not true. I bring you dessert on November 12th. — Vitali Klitschko

I think that there's only one nationality and one language in the sport, and you call it performance. — Wladimir Klitschko

I respect the IBF obligation to fight Povetkin, but I would like the exception to fight David Haye. That is the only title the Klitschkos don't have. We have them all except the WBA, which is why Haye is such an interesting cookie for me to eat. — Wladimir Klitschko

I should say that mental strength is No. 1, experience [is] No. 2, physical strength is No. 3, and genetic ability that you're getting from Mother Nature probably comes after. — Wladimir Klitschko

I saw a photo of the Svoboda leader, Yatseniuk [Arseniy Yatseniuk, one of Batkivschyna leaders] and Klitschko [Vitali Klitschko, UDAR party leader] together demonstrating the unity of opposition. But I can't imagine that people like Klitschko, who position themselves as Europeans, and Yatseniuk, would willingly shake the hand of a person who in public states that Jews are the main threat to European civilization. Sometimes, while looking for and respecting opposition, we can't recognize it, — Marek Siwiec

I don't see where Tyson Fury has boxed anybody of Wladimir's [ Klitschko] calibre to be able to get in the ring with Wladimir and do well. — Lennox Lewis

[Tyson] Fury is big and [Wladimir] Klitschko's not used to fighting someone his size. If Fury can stop Klitschko grabbing and avoid that big right hand, he's got a chance. In the heavyweight division, it only takes one punch. — Joe Calzaghe

There are 49 guys that got bored to sleep on my record, so they got knocked out by it. — Wladimir Klitschko

I learned in my Ph.D. the discipline I needed to be successful. Most boxers are not that disciplined. They have talent, but the self-organization - the ability to schedule yourself and your priorities - is lacking. My studies were about the control of training on both the psychological and the physical side. — Wladimir Klitschko

All boxing experts told Helenius is the next world champion! Chisora beat him. — Vitali Klitschko

It's not enough to be famous. You have to be professional enough to make reform. — Vitali Klitschko

I doubt Dereck Chisora can knock me out. — Vitali Klitschko

Boxing's given me the chance to travel around the world and open the door and the world is much brighter. — Vitali Klitschko

I train six days a week for four to five hours a day. I like to keep the same schedule when I'm in camp for every fight. — Wladimir Klitschko

Whether someone like Klitschko wins, loses, draws, or gets knocked out in five seconds, he is still a big name. — Tyson Fury

The man without a chin, no stamina, dead man, broken man, whatever. On your way to the top, you always get some criticism. Criticism is a great motivation. Failure is not an option to me. — Wladimir Klitschko

In Soviet times, the border was closed, so we couldn't get out of the country, and I had been reading Robinson Crusoe. I wanted to see the ocean, I wanted to see boats, I wanted to see black people, because we didn't have that in the Soviet Union. I was all excited by that stuff. — Wladimir Klitschko

I've been many times to Dubai and the U.A.E., and I have friends that live there. It would be exciting to stage world heavyweight championship fights in the Arab world. It's something Muhammad Ali achieved when he fought in Zaire or the Philippines. It's absolutely exciting to fight in countries where you have never fought. — Wladimir Klitschko

When my supporters start making noise, Wlad [Klitschko] won't know what has hit him. He'll never have experienced an atmosphere like it. — Tyson Fury

When you're successful for so many years, the scariest part is that you're getting too comfortable because you've had so much success. — Wladimir Klitschko

You have to learn the opponent psychologically inside out and mental strength is one of the important makers. You're either gonna break it or make it. — Wladimir Klitschko

He's earned all his money himself, with his fists. He didn't steal it like the rest of our politicians. And he'll be less tempted to steal if he gets in the chair. — Vitali Klitschko

He [Wladimir Klitschko] likes silence when he fights because it gives him time and room to think. He doesn't like things to get chaotic or crazy. — Tyson Fury

Only younger brothers will understand me. We're following in the footsteps of older brothers. You are looking up to your brother. You want to do the same things. You want to do as good as he and do it even better. — Wladimir Klitschko

I'm boring but effective. — Wladimir Klitschko

Radiation doesn't recognize borders. A meltdown in Japan or India, say, is a danger to the whole world. Wind circulates the radiation everywhere. Water quality is affected. We all eat the same fish. We use products from all over the world - if something is contaminated, it will cause harm. — Wladimir Klitschko

If I am 100% prepared for the fight, my opponent has no chance to win the fight. I am saying what I mean: He has a 0% chance to win the fight. There is going to be no luck involved; there is going to be nothing else to stop me from winning the fight. — Wladimir Klitschko

I promise everyone who comes to Ukraine can see a beautiful country. — Vitali Klitschko

If your opponent wants to fight, the fight will be very interesting not just for the audience, but for myself. — Vitali Klitschko

With this magazine, you could change the 'H' to 'G', it may be funnier and better for sales. — Wladimir Klitschko

It's a very interesting fight [Klitchko vs Tyson Fury] because this is the first time [Wladimir] Klitschko is fighting someone as big as him and with longer arms. He will have to be a little bit more aggressive, otherwise the younger guy will have more speed and more energy and I think that may be the difference. — Lennox Lewis

[Wladimir] Klitschko has got the experience, so if Tyson [Fury] waits on him, Klitschko will out-box him. But if he uses his speed and reach it will be a great chance for him to win. — Lennox Lewis

You can train your mental strength just like you train your body. If your body looks fit or ripped, it looks strong, and you can flex your muscles. So, physically, you have a certain strength. Mentally, it's the same thing. You can train your psychological strength. — Wladimir Klitschko

I think a fight with David Haye, even if he is not American, is going to give positive vibes about the heavyweight division for the American fans and fans worldwide. — Wladimir Klitschko

All of my fights are planned. I study my opponents from A to Z. How he walks, how he looks, how he speaks, gestures of the human body, which is a certain language that provides you lots of information if you have the ability to read it. You just need to pay attention to it and gain experience over the years. — Wladimir Klitschko

He [Tyson Fury] will be difficult opponent to adjust to, because of his style of fighting and physical conditions. Fans will certainly not be bored. — Wladimir Klitschko

David I knock you out! - While pointing to the camera with a smirk. — Vitali Klitschko

I've got a couple of things over [ Wladimir Klitschko]: He wouldn't spar with me when I went to the camp and I beat him in a mental toughness competition in the sauna. — Tyson Fury

He's a good sportsman but his best at world trash talking. — Vitali Klitschko

When people are tipsy, they're really encouraged and they wanna prove they can do something to the Heavyweight champion. — Wladimir Klitschko

People power. It has no limits. — Vitali Klitschko

I would love to see Wladimir Klitschko fight Antonio Tarver for many reasons. One is Tarver talks a lot; he would build up a big fight. And Tarver is coming off of a great victory. So I think he would be a good opponent. — Emanuel Steward

The man wannabe actually ... a wannabe. David Haye's a wannabe. — Wladimir Klitschko

My brother is a doctor and he will take care of post-traumatic stress. I think he'll do it for free. — Wladimir Klitschko

I know that and I feel that. — Vitali Klitschko

Vitali Klitschko doesn't get enough credit for how intelligent he fights, because he knows when to throw at the target and when to throw through the target. — Larry Merchant

All the champions - you go and ask Mike Tyson or Joe Louis, Rocky Marciano, Lennox Lewis and myself included, and I'm sorry for putting myself in line with all the other great names - but the champion's attitude is it doesn't matter who is in front of me, I am going to conquer this person and win the fight and knock the person out. — Wladimir Klitschko

There's certain things that you cannot cross, no matter who you are, what you're doing or where you're coming from. — Wladimir Klitschko

Mental strength is really important because you either win or lose in your mind. And I'm not solely talking about sporting matches, boxing events - anything you do, you do it first with your mental strength. And you can actually train and develop it, and I am responsible for what I'm saying because I have experience with that. — Wladimir Klitschko

No expert can predict the heavyweight division. Every punch can make the decision. — Vitali Klitschko

Good will always prevail over evil. I see that in me versus Klitschko. — Tyson Fury

My father told and taught me that the word, can hit harder than the fist. — Wladimir Klitschko

I don't like all this talking in the press. — Vitali Klitschko

This guy [Tyson Fury] really wants to prove himself in the ring and confirm what he keeps telling everyone, that he's the best in the world. — Wladimir Klitschko

I Was Psychologically Sick For 3 Days Afterwards. — Wladimir Klitschko

I'm playing right now a role, and the role is called the 'Heavyweight Champion of the World.' And it takes all of the time. And I love this role, and it takes a lot of attention for me for the sport, and I just don't want to lose the title, so that's why I have to stay focused and not become an actor. — Wladimir Klitschko

My height is an advantage, if I want to use it. — Wladimir Klitschko

The first thing I learned in boxing is to not get hit. That's the art of boxing. Execute your opponent without getting hit. In sports school, we were putting our hands behind our backs and having to defend ourselves with our shoulders, by rolling, by moving round the ring, moving out feet. — Wladimir Klitschko

It is up to the people and boxing fans to give me the respect I deserve once I have finished my career. I personally do not think about my legacy. — Wladimir Klitschko

I prepare for my fights to well that I don't wanna give a chance to my opponent to crash my 'glass chin' as they say, so I'm knocking them in the way that I like. — Wladimir Klitschko

I would say that Roger Federer is pretty amazing. And Manny Pacquiao - he's such a tiny, little lightweight guy, but the way he fights makes people so excited. — Wladimir Klitschko

If Chisora wants to kiss me, OK, if he likes me so much, but the best answer for him will be an answer with a fist in the ring. — Vitali Klitschko

My goal is not getting hit and to knock the other guy out. Some people might complain because they want to see boxers beat up on each other, but you cannot last long in professional boxing if you take a lot of punches. — Wladimir Klitschko

It was like a musician playing notes. Everything we trained worked. — Wladimir Klitschko

We try to use our experiences as leverage for our social work, to help children to get education because that is the way to get a special life. — Vitali Klitschko

There is one thing that I feel I still have to do and that is gain revenge over Lennox Lewis. If Lewis came back I would find the motivation to return to boxing and beat him. — Vitali Klitschko

Hopefully in 2011 the fans will get to see some fights that they want to see. Manny Pacquiao Vs. Floyd Mayweather needs to happen, and so does David Haye Vs. Wladimir Klitschko. The fans deserve to see fights that they want to see and not just the fights that the promoters want to see. — Emanuel Steward

I will teach you how to behave yourself in the ring. — Wladimir Klitschko

There is no money in this world that will make us fight. — Wladimir Klitschko

Baby wee is good because it's pure, doesn't contain toxins and doesn't smell, — Vitali Klitschko

Every fight can be the last one, that's why for every fight I prepare myself like it's the last fight of my career. — Vitali Klitschko