Klychko to defend WBO Championship title in Atlantic City (06/23/02)

Klychko to defend WBO Championship title in Atlantic City

by Roman Kernitski

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. - Entering Trump Tower, it was hard not to miss curious onlookers who kept staring at the soon-to-be conference room. The promoters' and HBO banners must have drawn their attention as they waited patiently for something to happen. Unlike other celebrity gatherings, this was a press conference for the WBO Heavyweight Championship title fight scheduled for June 29.

The fighters of this "Guts and Glory" war were present with their trainers and promoters. WBO Heavyweight Champion Volodymyr Klychko and his brother, WBA Intercontinental Heavyweight Champion Vitalii Klychko, were giving interviews to a rather confused crowd of journalists, who were unable to distinguish between the brothers. Mercer, the challenger for the WBO fight, arrived shortly after both Klychkos and was delighted to be greeted by Miss USA.

Also present were Cedric Kushner of Cedric Kushner Promotions, Xavier James of HBO Afterdark, Taj Mahal owner Donald Trump, the Klychkos' new co-trainer Tommy Brooks, as well as Miss Universe Oxana Fedorova of the Russian Federation. When asked about his strategy for the upcoming fight Ray Mercer said: "I know what I am about to enter in, and I will get out of there."

On June 13 at the Sports Gym in Atlantic City, Volodymyr Klychko (38-1-0) conducted one of his regular training sessions in preparation for his fight with Mercer (30-4-1).

Brooks, who has been working with Klychko's old trainer, Fritz Sdunek, in assisting and training both brothers, said it is "fantastic" to work with the Klychkos. Regarding his co-training with Mr. Sdunek, he said, "Fritz is a great guy and a great trainer, as a matter of fact I am actually learning something new from him every day."

Both trainers consider Volodymyr to be physically and mentally ready for his fight. According to Sdunek, Volodymyr is "eager to work hard, has good sparring partners and is improving every single day."

Many of Volodymyr's sparring partners are seemingly amazed by his determination to give his best and his desire to learn the most he can. "He's picking up those things that I have shown him, his ability to adapt and learn have astonished me," said Brooks.

In only two weeks the Klychko brothers had apparently earned the respect of their sparring partners. Most fighters consider this to be an honor - being able to practice and spar with the brothers.

Darren Wilson (26-6-2) considers Volodymyr to be "a very tough and strong fighter to box against - incredible speed for such a big guy, something unexpected."

Darrel Hayden, a veteran boxer, thinks that both brothers are a different "breed" of boxers "outstanding athletes who are above Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield, and I'm sure that in two years Volodymyr will become the best boxer, with Vitalii not far behind him."

Brooks added: "Volodymyr and Vitalii are the future of boxing. Both of them are young, they're strong, and even more so their desire to learn. In just a matter of time, with few adjustments, they'll both be successful. They'll both be the future of boxing."

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