Vitali Klitschko, Wladimir Klitschko and Fritz Sdunek discuss Vitali's upcoming bout with Danny Williams and the political turmoil in the Ukraine, the Klitschkos' homeland.

Opening Comments

Boente: To begin with, I would like to say that this training camp this year was a very special one. It has been completely different than all of the others.  Before this Presidential runoff election in the Ukraine on Nov. 21, Vitali and Wladimir, as most of you know, had decided to officially support the pro-western candidate, Viktor Yushchenko.  After the elections, the democratic challenger, Yushchenko, and many western observers in Kiev mentioned that the election was not really fair and did not meet democratic standards.  Hundreds of thousands of people were in the streets and are still in the streets in Kiev, the capital of Ukraine, and Vitali and Wladimir decided directly after that election that they wanted to fly over to Kiev. Wladimir and Fritz Sdunek, the head coach of Vitali, were here with us. After long discussions, they convinced Vitali to stay here and not postpone this fight.  We all know that the situation in Ukraine, in Kiev, is changing from day to day and from hour to hour.

Sdunek: We have had a very good and successful preparation so far.  Vitali’s conditional programming is finished.  He is in very good condition and also the sparring is almost finished.  Tomorrow is the most important day of sparring.  We have very good sparring partners who are really challenging Vitali.  We are prepared for 12 rounds.  We expect to leave the ring as the winner.

Wladimir: I am really excited about the fight for my brother because it means a lot for the people in the Ukraine, and it means a lot for the whole world society and also for my brother and me as well.  Vitali is in great shape and he is focused and that is important too.  We are working as a team and everything is fine.  I am excited as everyone to see how Vitali fights. He will exit the ring the winner.

Vitali: I am in top shape right now and am ready to give everybody a tough and great performance on Dec. 11. I want to be world champion for a long time.

Begin Press Questions

Question: Vitali, how much of a distraction has it been preparing for this fight knowing what is going on in Ukraine?  How close did you really come to going back when Wladimir did?

Vitali: What happens in Ukraine is very close to us because our family and our friends all live in Ukraine.  We are involved in Ukraine politics and it touches everyone.  It is very painful to read some news and the way they speak about Ukraine like it is a poor country, like a banana republic. I wish for my country, for my people, for my children and the next generation a great future and I support the democratic way.  I support consolidation of Ukraine into European Union. That is why I support Viktor Yushchenko in this presidential election.

Question: Wladimir, how much time did you spend in Ukraine and what did you do there?  Have you been active in the streets and the protests in Ukraine?

Wladimir: I was in Ukraine for four days and another two days in Germany.  In Ukraine, it was very important to show the people our support — not just on television, but through my presence as well.  I did a lot of statements in interviews on television and radio shows.  A lot of people are supporting the peaceful movement for democracy in Ukraine.  In Germany, a lot of celebrities got together and all of them said they supported the people in the streets and democracy and the peaceful movement from the people in Ukraine.  Right now, videos are running on Independence Square where the people are and in different cities and also on television stations.  It is an amazing thing that there once used to be only one television channel that would show both sides of the news, but now other channels are joining in.  The Polish President came over to support a peaceful movement for democracy and also his government. The German and English governments have been saying positive things. The whole world has gotten together to support the democratic movement of the people in Ukraine.  It is truly amazing that people have been staying outside on the streets already for 10 days.  They are not going to their jobs, therefore, not getting any money for their time.  They are doing this for their future and for their kids’ future and the future of Ukraine. They want Ukraine to become a democratic and peaceful country.  There is no violence, no bloodshed.  It is just in good will, people trying to get democracy in their country.  It is a good example for other countries around the world that you can change the regime or other things through good will and without war. 

Question: Do you think that your presence there made a difference because of your celebrity?

Wladimir: Yes. I think it shows a lot of support for people if they see that support in person, not just on television.  It is not only about us.  There were other celebrities there as well and I think it was important that we were all present.

Question: Vitali, was there a time, or is there still a time, when you feared for the safety of the people, that this might not end up being a peaceful demonstration or they might not have allowed it to be one?  How did that impact on you?

Vitali: Wladimir came back to Los Angeles and explained the whole situation. As you know, it has been very peaceful there. Everybody hopes we move to a democratic way.  If people who were communist before and suddenly change their colors and say that Ukraine is democratic, but the rules of government do not change, people will not be happy. That is why there are millions of people coming outside in the street to demonstrate peacefully. Nobody drinks alcohol.  It has been very peaceful.  After every one of my fights in Ukraine, they hear me speak about freedom, liberty and free press, but now it is hopefully happening. It has been brainwashing for many people. So many channels on television give just the information from one side. It is very important for all of those involved in this campaign, and it is our hope, that our country will adopt the democratic way.

Question: Was there a time when you were worried that it might not come in such a peaceful way?

Vitali: I am afraid everyday because our hope is that it will be resolved in a peaceful way.  We speak many times (often) with our Ukrainian friends and give the message for everybody to remain peaceful, to do this without blood.

Question: Vitali, how has all of this affected your training schedule?

Vitali: Actually, it is 10 hours difference between Ukraine and Los Angeles.  When I wake up at 6:00 in the morning, I have one hour before I start the training to check the news, make calls to my friends and get information.  I know that my fight is very important for Ukraine and it is my resolve to be ready for this fight.  I think this fight will be a very important message for everybody not only in Ukraine but in the world.  I have kept focused for training and for the fight.  But I do get the information on what is happening in Ukraine every day.  It is difficult, but in life nothing is easy.

Question: Wladimir, if the situation got serious enough, would either of you consider putting aside your career for awhile?

Wladimir: We are not politicians.  We are athletes and, of course, we travel a lot and we spend a lot of time in Ukraine.  But we are from Ukraine and, for us, this is very important. Right now, in this situation, it is very important to support the people — first of all on the streets and the majority of Ukraine. 

Question: Vitali, Viktor Yushchenko is the people’s candidate and he is the one who is generating this reelection bid. He is supported by the west and the other guy is being supported in Moscow.  This sounds like the opening shot in an east/west split, like a new Cold War.  What are your impressions?

Vitali: For me, it is very difficult.  I do not want to speak about the geopolitical situation.  You know better than me that Ukraine is a very important location in Europe between the west and east, between south and north Europe. I have my opinion, but I will not explain it. I want to talk about the good will from the people and from simple people.  I wish for my country to go the democratic way.  Everybody wants to change from the ways of the old Soviet Union. It is not just my wish; it is the good will from many millions of Ukrainian people.

Question: Do you and your father talk about what has been going on there?

Vitali: Yes, we have had discussions about the situation, but I talk not just with my father, but with many people who have a lot of experience in politics there and have interests in Ukraine and in national interests.

Question: Fritz, it looked as though Mike Tyson blew out his knee when he fought Danny Williams, which enabled Williams to win.  How did your training Vitali for Williams differ as opposed to how you would have trained for Tyson?

Sdunek: I have seen the fight of Williams against Tyson.  I think in that win, Williams got a psychological advantage for himself (gained confidence as fight progressed).  I have analyzed other fights of Danny Williams.  There is a big difference between Tyson’s style and Vitali’s style.  Tyson’s style was a big advantage for Danny. We have had just the right sparring partners for this fight. I do not see any problems or reasons why Vitali should not defend his title successfully.

Question: Vitali, if you beat Williams, will that satisfy you that you are the best fighter in the world?

Vitali: It is a big honor for me to own the RING magazine belt and to be the champion of the  people. I want to fight against the strongest challenger in the world and I will not underestimate Danny Williams. He shows great skills and big heart. I think this fight will be a very good and dangerous one. I am ready for this fight and to show everybody a good performance. I hope everyone who watches this fight enjoys it.

Question: When you first got into boxing, what fighter did you aspire to fight like or pattern your style after and why?

Vitali: Muhammad Ali. Everybody wants to see great movement, very fast hands and great leg work. He was a big idol for everybody. (But) time goes so fast and for every part of life you have new idols. Max Schmeling is now 99-years-old and I remember him. He had a very interesting life. He is a good example for me and I study many things from him. He had a great career, has a big heart and is a great person.

Question: Vitali, do you think you will be able to wear Danny Williams down over the fight or are you expecting a really tough challenge from him?

Vitali:  I am ready for this fight. I am ready to fight 12 rounds.  But believe me, if I have the chance to stop Danny Williams and to send him to the floor, I will use my chance.

Question: What was it like watching Williams knock out Tyson?

Vitali:  Danny Williams surprised me with his boxing skills, his big heart and his iron chin. He destroyed my dream. Now, I want to destroy the dream of Danny Williams to be world champion.

Question: Vitali, when it is all over and you hang up your gloves and your career is over, how would you like to be remembered by the rest of the world?

Vitali:  I do not think right now to the end of my career.  Whenever I have the feeling that I do not have luck anymore, I will stop.  I do not want to be a punching bag for a new generation.  But I am not ready to give an answer to that question.

Question: Could you see yourself getting involved in politics?

Vitali:  I think about the future all the time.  We try to be an active part of society.  We work on a lot of projects.  It is very important that we work with UNESCO, in Project Education for children’s needs.  We support that everywhere in the world.  We have good results in sports and we have a great connection in politics and business and we try to use our connections to bring attention to the children who are disadvantaged, children without parents, children who grow up without love.  In Ukraine and Russia, this problem is very important (common).  We speak about the children as our future and it is very important that we work for their education. 

Question: Vitali, will you ever be totally satisfied as the number one fighter in the world without getting a rematch with Lennox Lewis?

Vitali:  That is a good question for Lennox Lewis.  If everyone pressures Lennox Lewis, hopefully Lennox Lewis will agree to a rematch.  I appreciate that he gave me a chance to prove myself.  He is a great boxer.  He is the strongest boxer in history, in my opinion.  He shows good performances in all of his fights.  But Lennox Lewis is sending out tips to every fighter now on how to beat me.  It did not help Corrie Sanders and I am sure it will not be helpful for Danny Williams.

Question: Do you think Lennox Lewis ran from you because he did not think he would beat you in a rematch?

Vitali: If Lennox decides to make his big comeback, I am ready to fight him. If the doctor had not stopped the fight, I think everybody would have seen that I beat Lennox Lewis by a point in six rounds. It was just because of an injury that the fight was stopped.  But I beat him the first time and I am more than sure that I will beat him in the second time.