He just wanted to see the world. He didn’t aim to be the best. But with his mindset, there was no other option.
Growing up in the Soviet Ukraine, Wladimir Klitschko wanted to travel. To cross the border and see the world. His tool to travel became sport. Driven by this he wasn’t even thinking about becoming a champion, despite winning everything as an amateur boxer. But, coming from a family that valued discipline and rules, Klitschko never did anything half-heartedly.
Not only did he win, he became the combined longest reigning heavyweight boxing champion of all time, winning 25 titles and beating 23 opponents to reign as champion for 4382 days. Equipped with an immense driving force, it’s not a mistake that people all over the world know about his exceptional knockout power. That Wladimir’s nickname is Dr. Steelhammer. And that each of his fights would draw hundreds of millions of viewers.
Reflective, deep thinking, humble, considered, and respectful. These are just a few of the words that can be used to describe Klitschko. Holding a doctorate degree in sports science, Klitschko is a professional boxer with integrity. He is a true fighter in every aspect, battling his way up multiple paths with a clear way of thinking. The power to know exactly how to execute his every plan. He doesn’t really like talking about his achievements, except for being a dad. Yet, he has left a legacy that has put his name in the history books forever.
Excited about the prospect of sharing expertise and experience, he has used his success to help others. Klitschko is pioneering an entrepreneurial enterprise around challenge management. By following his gut, and believing in his experience, he knows what works. What leads to success. Teaching people from all over the world the importance of discipline and mind control. Klitschko is extraordinary. And extraordinary at everything he does.
Wladimir Klitschko – video transcript
To become a world champion, you have to be disciplined. Discipline is the key. I'm not a fighter, but I had to learn it. There's no direct way probably most of the time and you have to take different way to get to what you want. I wanted to travel so I had to become an athlete.
I grew up in a family where discipline was very dominant. Grandma was sharing that story: you have to treat the baby from birth until three, like angel, from three to 14, like a slave, from 14 up like a friend. It was exactly the concept we were raised.
I believe that my brother played probably one of the most important roles in my life. He's five years older than I, so whatever he was doing, I just want to do the same, but mostly to do it better than him. It was my motivation because I want to get out of his shadow. And my brother started with kick boxing and I felt like well, he started to travel. I want to do the same. I want to see the world. I said, okay, you have to be a politician to get out the Soviet Union, to see the rest of the world or an athlete. For a politician, I was too young. For an athlete, it was just perfect.
I clearly remember, here I am, 19 years old. I have to be qualified to go to the Olympics. The biggest thing in your mind is like, okay, Olympic Games or any medal at the Olympics could win someone else but not me. I don't think I can do it. I didn't. Then suddenly I’ve got this obstacle. Here I am. Finals of the Olympic Games. I remember just dreaming of losing that fight. After the first round my coach is screaming in the ear, “you're losing the fight” and I'm like, okay, now the dream is coming true. And then this moment I said to myself, the dream. I got this boost of energy and just, I was lucky to land the shots that I had landed and suddenly I had this medal.
I actually was there where you were just yesterday, I am not different than you. You could do it too if you're obsessed in this extreme shape of love to your obstacle, you'll eventually going to get it.
Boxing has taught me how to respect your opposition and the others, how to be disciplined, because when you think you made it, you probably lost already. I'm still young, at least I feel young, and if I think I achieved, it makes me just relax, I don't want it to. When I'll be old, hopefully one day, and I would have five seconds before I die. Look back and think about what I'm proud of. Ask yourself this question. If you have five seconds. I will be proud of being a parent, period.
END CARD
Wladimir Klitschko became the Olympic Super Heavyweight boxing champion in 1996, at just 20 years old.
In 2001 he completed his Doctorate in Sports Science at the University of Kiev.
He went on to become the World Heavyweight champion and won the IBF, WBO, WBA and IBO belts during his 21 year professional career.
He has won more heavyweight title bouts than any other fighter and holds the record for the longest combined world championship reign in boxing history, at 4,382 days.
