Briggs could refer to:

• Briggs cliff, a fictional place in Fullmetal Alchemist manga
• Briggs (crater), a lunar crater
• Briggs Initiative, either of two pieces of Californian legislation sponsored by John Briggs
• Briggs Islet, Tasmania, Australia
• Briggs, Oklahoma, USA
• Briggs, Texas, USA
• Briggs & Stratton, a manufacturer of air-cooled gasoline engines
• The Briggs - a punk rock band
• Myers-Briggs Type Indicator
• Briggs Township, Ontario, a geographic township
• Miss Briggs, a character in the novel Vanity Fair
• Miss Briggs, a character on the television series iCarly

People with the surname Briggs[link]

• Anne Briggs (born 29 September 1944), English folk singer
• Ansel Briggs, American politician
• Arthur E. Briggs, California politician
• Asa Briggs, British historian
• Barbara Briggs, American dramatist
• Barbara G. Briggs, Australian botanist
• Barry Briggs, New Zealand World Motorcycle speedway champion
• Barry Bruce-Briggs, public policy writer
• Benjamin Briggs (1835–1872), captain of the Marie Celeste
• Bill Briggs (disambiguation), multiple people
• Billy Briggs, American musician
• Bobby Briggs, fictional character from Twin Peaks
• Charles Augustus Briggs, American theologian
• Charles Frederick Briggs, American journalist
• Sir Charles James Briggs, (1865–1941), British Army general
• Clare Briggs, American comics artist
• Danny Briggs, English cricketer
• David Briggs (disambiguation), multiple people
• Derek Briggs, Irish paleontologist
• Everett Francis Briggs, (1908–2006), American Catholic priest
• Frank A. Briggs, American politician
• Frank O. Briggs, American politician
• Frank P. Briggs, American politician
• Gary Briggs (musician), British guitarist
• Gary Briggs (footballer), British footballer
• George N. Briggs, American politician
• Major Garland Briggs, fictional character from Twin Peaks
• Harold Briggs (disambiguation), multiple people
• Henry Briggs (politician)
• Henry Briggs (mathematician), English mathematician
• Henry Perronet Briggs, English artist
• Hortense Briggs, fictional character from An American Tragedy by Theodore Dreiser
• Ian Briggs, television writer
• Jack Briggs, American instrument maker
• James Briggs (disambiguation), any of several people
• Jason W. Briggs, American Latter Day Saint leader
• Jeff Briggs, American composer and former computer games executive
• Joe Bob Briggs, pseudonym of John Irving Bloom, film critic and actor
• John Briggs (disambiguation), multiple people by the name of John, Johnny, and other variations
• Karen Briggs (disambiguation), multiple people
• Katharine Cook Briggs, co-inventor of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator personality test
• Katharine Mary Briggs, British author
• Kevin "She'kspere" Briggs, American record producer
• Kim Briggs, Mother of J.D.'s baby on the show Scrubs
• Lance Briggs, American football player
• Lauren Briggs, English squash player
• LeBaron Russell Briggs, American educator
• Lyman James Briggs, American physicist and civil servant
• Matthew Briggs, English footballer
• Nicholas Briggs, British actor
• Nigel Briggs, Singer/Song writer
• Patricia Briggs, American fantasy writer
• Paul Briggs, Australian boxer
• Raymond Briggs, British illustrator and author
• Robert William Briggs (1911–1983), American biologist
• Sandra Briggs, fictional character from Emmerdale
• Shannon Briggs, American boxer
• Stephen Briggs, British Discworld adapter
• Stephen Foster Briggs, American engineer, co-founder of The Briggs & Stratton Company
• Ted Briggs, British seaman
• Tom Briggs (disambiguation), multiple people
• Walter Briggs (disambiguation), multiple people

This page or section lists people with the surname Briggs. If an internal link intending to refer to a specific person led you to this page, you may wish to change that link by adding the person's given name(s) to the link.

Vitali Klitschko
Statistics
Real name	Vitali Volodymyrovych Klychko
Nickname(s)	Dr. Ironfist
Rated at	Heavyweight
Height	2.00 m (6 ft 7 in)[1]
Reach	203 cm (80 in)
Nationality	Ukrainian
Born	(1971-07-19) July 19, 1971 (age 40) Belovodsk, Kirghiz SSR (now Kyrgyzstan)
Stance	Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights	46
Wins	44
Wins by KO	40
Losses	2
Draws	0
No contests	0

Medal record
Competitor for  Ukraine
Men’s Boxing
World Amateur Championships
Silver	1995 Berlin	Super heavyweight

Vitali Klitschko (Ukrainian: Віта́лій Володи́мирович Кличко́ [transliteration: Vitali Volodymyrovych Klychko], [ʋiˈtɑʎiɪ̯ klɪtʃˈkɔ]; English: /vɨˈtæli ˈklɪtʃkoʊ/; born 19 July 1971) is a Ukrainian professional boxer and the reigning WBC Heavyweight Champion. He is a leader of the political party UDAR of Vitaliy Klychko and a member of the Ukrainian delegation to the Congress of the Council of Europe. He previously held the WBO and WBC titles. Klitschko is the first professional boxing world champion to hold a Ph.D. degree.

Klitschko is known for his powerful punches and durable chin. With a 86.96% knockout percentage rate, he holds the second best knockout-to-fight ratio of any champion in heavyweight boxing history, after Rocky Marciano's 87.76%. He has never been knocked down in any professional boxing bout and has also never lost a decision. His two losses have come via a shoulder injury during a fight and a deep cut above his eye, which were recorded as TKO losses. His power and his possession of a Ph.D have led to his nickname, Dr. Ironfist.

He was awarded Germany's highest civilian award, the Federal Cross of Merit, for his varied accomplishments.^[2] On 27 February 2012, Ring Magazine rated Vitali as the number nine pound-for-pound boxer in the world.

Klitschko's younger brother, Wladimir Klitschko, is the WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, IBO and The Ring World Heavyweight Champion.

Kickboxing[link]

Originally Klitschko was an amateur kickboxer. In 1992 he was knocked out in the final of the European Kickboxing Championships +89 kg light contact division by Englishman Pelé Reid.^{[dubious – discuss]} In 1993 he defeated Ryushi Yanagisawa in the Japanese mixed martial arts promotion Pancrase under WKA Special Rules (no low kicks) via R5 decision. In 1994 he defeated Richard Vince by second round KO to retain his ISKA World Super Heavyweight title.^[3] In 1996 he turned professional and compiled a record of 34–1 with 22 knockouts. He was a world champion six times (professional and amateur).^[4]

Boxing career[link]

Klitschko won the Super Heavyweight Championship at the first World Military Games in Italy in 1995. Vitali won the silver medal at the 1995 World Amateur Boxing Championships in Berlin, Germany, where he was defeated by Russia's Alexei Lezin in the final. In his autobiography, published in Germany in 2004, the boxer revealed that he tested positive for a banned steroid in 1996. He attributed the presence of the drug to treatment of a leg injury but was dismissed from the Ukrainian boxing team and missed the Atlanta Olympics.^[5] His brother Wladimir moved up from heavyweight to super heavyweight to take his place in the squad and won the Olympic gold medal. His amateur record was 195–15 with 80 knockouts.

WBO title[link]

Klitschko began his professional boxing career in 1996, winning his first twenty-four fights by either early knockout or technical knockout (TKO). He and Wladimir signed with the German athlete-promotion company Universum. With both brothers holding Ph.D.s and being multilingual, their refined and articulate personalities made for mainstream marketability when they moved to Germany and Universum. In time, they became national celebrities in their adopted home country. In his 25th pro fight, on 26 June 1999, Klitschko won the WBO Heavyweight title from Herbie Hide of the United Kingdom by a second round knockout.

He successfully defended the title twice. He defeated Ed Mahone by knockout in the third round and beat Obed Sullivan, who retired after the ninth round.

Loss to Chris Byrd[link]

By April 2000 Vitali Klitschko was one of the top stars in the heavyweight division and a prime candidate to be the next Undisputed Champion. He had won all 27 of his contests by knockout. On 1 April, Klitschko had a third title defence against the American Chris Byrd, who was a late replacement. Byrd made himself a difficult target and tried to thwart Klitschko's offence by being elusive. Klitschko won most of the rounds and was heading towards a comprehensive points victory when he suffered a serious shoulder injury. After the ninth round, Klitschko notified his corner that he had a shoulder pain and threw in the towel, thus handing Klitschko his first defeat and awarding Byrd the win by knockout. At the time of the stoppage, Klitschko had a lead on all three judges' scorecards (89–82, and 88–83 twice). Klitschko, who was later diagnosed with a torn rotator cuff, received much criticism for quitting the fight.

Klitschko rebounded from his loss to Byrd by reeling off five victories in a row, earning himself a shot at WBC Heavyweight Champion Lennox Lewis on 21 June 2003 in Los Angeles, California.

Klitschko vs. Lewis[link]

Klitschko, a 4–1 underdog who had much less professional boxing experience,^{[citation needed]} dominated the early going with many harder punches and stunning Lewis in the second round with two hard rights, leaving a cut under on Lennox's left eye.^[6] In the third, Lewis landed a big right hand that opened a deep cut above Klitschko's left eye.^[6] A replay after the third round showed Lennox landed the punch while hugging Klitschko in a clinch at 2:49 while the referee was trying to separate them.^{[citation needed]} It was later revealed that the tape of Lewis's glove was a huge factor in the extent of the damage.^{[citation needed]} Lewis began to specifically target Vitali's cut. In the fourth round at 1:23, Lennox threw some body shots in a clinch. The referee told them to separate several times before actually separating them himself. This happened again at :33, with Jim Lampley saying, "Lewis taking advantage of the clinch to pound Vitali Klitschko to the belly." After the fourth round, Emanuel Steward, Lewis' trainer, could be heard telling Lewis, "One thing, you're pushing him all the time now. Keep pushing your weight on him, all while you're inside clinching." Klitschko was able to rally and Lewis, who had weighed in at his career heaviest for the fight, was breathing heavily after a few rounds. Perhaps the most controversial part came in round 5 at 2:12. Lewis held Klitschko once again and threw twelve dirty body shots in a row, with the referee, once again, making no attempt to separate them.^{[citation needed]} Lampley commented throughout, "And good professional work by Lewis against the ribcage. As Vitali takes it, takes it, takes it, takes it! And referee Lou Moret just looks on!" George Foreman replied, "I don't know how the referee can let that holding and hitting go on." Larry Merchant told Foreman, "One punch, one hand is open. And you're allowed to do that, George-" "You can not hold and hit! If one guy's holding you, you have to break it!" Foreman told Merchant. Both men traded big shots, and in the sixth Lewis got through with a hard uppercut. As the sixth round was ending, Lewis punched Klitschko's injured eye twice in another clinch. Lewis appeared to have punched Klitschko after the bell ended round six.^{[citation needed]} Before the seventh round, the ringside doctor inspected the wound and deemed it severe enough to threaten eye damage if struck again, stopping the fight despite Klitschko's pleas to continue. Klitschko was ahead on all three judges' scorecards 58–56 (4 rounds to 2) at the time of the stoppage, but because the wound was a result of punches from Lewis and not a headbutt, Lewis won by technical knockout.^[6]

Lampley referred to the crowd's reaction, "You heard the response to the stoppage: Almost universal booing in the house." Klitschko, despite the loss, gained international respect for fighting so well against the Heavyweight Champion for 6 rounds. Negotiations for a 6 December rematch began.^[7] After negotiations collapsed, Vitali defeated Kirk Johnson in a WBC Eliminator bout on 6 December date,^[8] setting up a mandatory rematch with Lewis. In January 2004, the WBC announced that it would strip Lewis of the belt if he let pass a March 15 deadline to sign for a rematch with Vitali.^[9] Shortly thereafter, Lewis announced his retirement and vacated the title. For years after this fight, Klitschko would still occasionally call out Lewis, despite the fact that Lewis has been retired since early 2004, for a rematch.^[10]

WBC Heavyweight Champion[link]

Around this time, the Klitschko brothers moved from Hamburg, Germany to Los Angeles, California.

In January 2004, they notified Universum that they would not re-sign when their contracts expired in April. Universum sued the brothers, arguing that their recent injuries had triggered a clause binding them beyond April. The suit was ultimately resolved in favour of the Klitschkos in November 2009.^[11]

Klitschko earned an 8th-round TKO victory over South African Corrie Sanders on 24 April 2004, to capture the World Boxing Council Heavyweight Championship that had been vacated by Lewis. Sanders had knocked out (2nd Round TKO) younger brother Wladimir on 8 March 2003. This fight was also for The Ring belt. Klitschko was rocked early by Sanders, but by using movement and strong punching he broke down Sanders and forced the referee to stop the bout.

Vitali Klitschko's first WBC title defense was against British boxer Danny Williams. Williams had become suddenly marketable from a KO over Mike Tyson in round 4. Klitschko scored a technical knockout against Williams in 8 rounds on 11 December 2004, while wearing an orange cloth to show support for the Ukrainian presidential opposition movement. Klitschko knocked Williams down in the 1st, 3rd, 7th, and 8th rounds before the fight was stopped. Immediately afterward, Klitschko dedicated his victory to democracy in his native Ukraine and also to the Ukrainian presidential candidate Viktor Yushchenko, whom he supported in the 26 December 2004, election revote.^[12]

Brothers Wladimir (left) and Vitali (right) Klitschko

On 9 November 2005, Vitali Klitschko announced his retirement from professional boxing and vacated his title. He had been training to fight Hasim Rahman, but unfortunately, just 9 days before the fight, he had entangled his leg with his sparring partner, causing them to fall heavily. He snapped his anterior cruciate ligament, a very serious injury, which would take up to a year to heal, with surgery, and possibly would be career ending. To avoid keeping the title out of use, he retired. The WBC was grateful for his consideration. On other occasions he cited regrets about his suddenly mounting injuries, a desire to leave the sport while still on top and political aspirations in his home country of Ukraine.^[13] Following his retirement, the WBC conferred "champion emeritus" status on Klitschko, and assured him he would become the mandatory challenger if and when he decided to return.^[14]

In the German Bild-Zeitung, he announced on 24 January 2007 his comeback and requested to fight again.

Return bout against Samuel Peter[link]

On 3 August 2008, the WBC awarded Klitschko a chance to regain his WBC Heavyweight title. After Vitali's retirement, his younger brother had established dominance in the division, winning two of the four world titles available. The reigning WBC Champion was Samuel Peter (who had lost a close decision to Wladimir in a thrilling fight in 2005). At the time there was interest in a potential Peter vs Wladimir unification match. Instead Vitali took advantage of his champion emeritus status and secured a title challenge against Peter. The fight was arranged on 11 October 2008 at O2 World, Berlin. It would be one of the most anticipated heavyweight fights in the past few years. Both men had a rightful claim to being the champion and the stakes for the future of the heavyweight division were high. Despite some questioning Vitali's decision to return after four years, he managed to regain his title in dominating fashion. Klitschko had Peter intimidated from the first round and stunned him with accurate hard punches. Klitschko kept the hard punching Nigerian off with an effective left jab and took control in the centre of the ring. Over eight rounds Klitschko completely dismantled and outfought the younger champion. After the eighth round, Peter slumped on his stool, shook his head and asked that the bout be stopped. With the Samuel Peter victory, Klitschko technically became one of the few men to ever hold a version of the World Heavyweight Championship three times – WBO (1999–2000), WBC (2004–2005) WBC (2008–Present).

Second reign as WBC Champion[link]

Since his comeback win over Samuel Peter, Vitali Klitschko has defended his WBC Heavyweight Championship eight times as of February, 2012. Despite having a four year hiatus from the sport, Vitali has proven to be a remarkably effective and dominant Heavyweight Champion once again. He has fought the best challengers available in an attempt to prove himself the best heavyweight in the world. Alongside his brother Wladimir, he also fights on for their shared ambition of holding all four Heavyweight Championship belts together, an ambition that was realised on 2 July 2011 when brother Wladimir defeated David Haye to win the WBA Heavyweight Championship.

On 21 March 2009, Klitschko defeated Juan Carlos Gomez by TKO in the ninth round. Gomez tried to use his movement to thwart Vitali but seemed unable to cope with the power and physical strength of his opponent. As the rounds progressed, Klitschko began imposing himself on Gomez more and more. Gomez soon became wary of Klitschko's power and also began to tire physically. By the sixth round Vitali was in total control. The end came when the referee stopped the fight in the ninth round as Gomez appeared unable to withstand any more hits.

On 26 September, Klitschko earned a one-sided TKO victory over Chris Arreola at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California when Arreola's trainer, Henry Ramirez, asked the referee to stop the fight.^[15] Arreola was considered at the time one of the division's hardest punchers; however, Klitschko kept Arreola at bay with his left jab and hit him almost at will with his right. Arreola had been influenced by Samuel Peter's defeat to Klitschko in 2008, in which Peter had tried to box from the outside. He therefore employed a gameplan which involved applying constant pressure to Vitali in order to force him into a high tempo fight. Despite his efforts, the bout became one sided very quickly. Klitschko consistently proved himself faster, sharper and much fitter than Arreola.

On 12 December Vitali defeated Kevin Johnson by unanimous decision, winning almost every round. Johnson, a skillful fighter, tried to negate Klitschko's strength with angles and head movement, though he proved hard to hit he failed to launch any sustained attack of his own. After the Johnson bout, Klitschko's camp began negotiations for a potential fight with former WBA Champion Nikolai Valuev, but the match failed to materialise due to economic disagreements.^{[16][17][18][19]}

^[20]

Klitschko vs Sosnowski, 29 May 2010

On 29 May 2010 Vitali Klitschko defeated Polish heavyweight contender Albert Sosnowski by KO at 2:30 in round 10 of 12. The fight took place at Veltins Arena, Gelsenkirchen, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany. Vitali Klitschko weighed in at 112 kg (247 lbs), while Sosnowski weighed in at 110 kg (242.5 lbs). This was Vitali's 4th defence of the WBC Heavyweight title.

Notes:

• Voluntary defense of the WBC title
• Sosnowski was the #11 ranked heavyweight according to the WBC prior to this bout
• Sosnowski was knocked down by a right hand in the 10th round, prompting referee Jay Nady to immediately wave off the fight.^[21]

Late career[link]

On 17 August 2010, it was announced that Klitschko would defend his WBC title against Shannon Briggs on 16 October of that year. Klitschko completely dismantled his challenger with superior hand speed. Briggs struggled to land any meaningful punches, as Klitschko won every round decisively. After a few rounds, Briggs was receiving a vicious and sustained beating which caused him serious facial injuries. Considering the beating he was receiving, there was some suggestion that the referee should have stopped the bout during the last few rounds. Klitschko had retained his belt with official scores of 120–107, 120–105, and 120–107.^[22][23] During the post-fight interview, the American boxer said: “I’ve fought George Foreman, I’ve fought Lennox Lewis, and Vitali’s the best.” While Klitschko did not knock down Briggs, the latter collapsed after the fight and was hospitalized with facial fractures and a torn biceps.

Klitschko's next fight was against mandatory challenger Odlanier Solis. The bout was tentatively scheduled for March 2011.^[24] On 11 January, it was officially confirmed that the fight between Klitschko and Solis was going to take place in Cologne, Germany on 19 March 2011. The fight lasted less than one whole round, as a right hand to Solis's temple wobbled Solis, who then twisted his knee. Klitschko won by KO.^[25][26]

Klitschko and Adamek, during signing for the fight in 2011

Now aged 40, Klitschko retained his WBC heavyweight title against Tomasz Adamek on 10 September 2011 in Poland, winning by TKO in the 10th round. The referee stopped the bout after Adamek received punishing blows and was ruled out, as he was no longer able to defend himself.

After turning 40 on 19 July 2011, Vitali became one of the oldest Heavyweight Champions in history and currently the 14th longest reigning Heavyweight Champion of all time. Since his comeback on October 11, 2008, he has registered victories averaging every 4.4 months which is unusually active for a Heavyweight title holder in the modern era of boxing.^{[citation needed]} In January 2012, he was awarded WBC Fighter of the Year for 2011.^[27] Klitschko was in negotiations for a possible bout with former WBA Heavyweight title holder David Haye on 3 March 2012.^[28][29][30] After Vitali's brother, Wladimir, had to cancel his fight with Jean-Marc Mormeck, it was thought that Vitali was likely to fight on 25 February 2012.^[31] Sources in Germany reported that he was likely to fight British contender Dereck Chisora on 18 February 2012 in Olympiahalle, Munich, Bayern.^[32][33][34]

It was confirmed on 12 December 2011 that Dereck Chisora would be Vitali Klitschko's next opponent.^[35][36] Vitali Klitschko retained his WBC Championship belt unanimously in a dominant display in Munich. The fight was fought against a backdrop of antagonism displayed by the contender Dereck Chisora at the weigh in. Dereck slapped Vitali across the face causing a red mark to be left.^{[citation needed]} The next day, Chisora spat water over the face of Vitali's brother Wladimir.^{[citation needed]}

Vitali won the majority of the rounds boxing a disciplined fight with changing angles and superior footwork.^{[original research?]} The scores were: 118–110, 118–110, 119–111.^{[citation needed]} The next day, Vitali visited a hospital to check his shoulder, claiming he injured it in the fight. A doctor confirmed a ligament tear was suffered in Vitali's left shoulder. Klitschko said he "suddenly lost strength in the left hand" and was forced to only use his right. The injury was believed to have happened in the second or third round. Klitschko's trainer, Fritz Zdunek, believes this is the same kind of injury Vitali suffered in his fight with Byrd.^[37]

At the post fight press conference a brawl ensued between David Haye and Dereck Chisora. After the altercation Dereck Chisora challenged David Haye to a fight in the ring and said, "I am going to shoot David Haye." Dereck Chisora was later arrested at a German airport along with his coach, Don Charles. His comments and actions were later condemned by Frank Warren, his promoter, and Wladimir Klitschko. ^{[38][39][40][41]}

Political career[link]

Klitschko began campaigning for Mayor of Kiev shortly after his retirement in 2005. He lost the 2006 mayoral election to Leonid Chernovetskyi but placed second with 26% of the vote, ahead of the incumbent Oleksandr Omelchenko^[42] Klitschko campaigned on an anti-corruption platform^[42] and lead the bloc "Civic party" PORA-ROP (the parties PORA and Reforms and Order Party) in the simultaneously held local elections for the Kiev City Council.^[43] Analysts stated his relatively late entry into the campaign might have cost him votes. Still, Klitschko was elected as a people's deputy to the Kiev City Council since "Civic party" PORA-ROP won 14 seats in the 2006 election.^[43][44] In the May 2008 Kiev local election, he ran again and won 18% of the vote. Klitschko simultaneously led the Vitaliy Klychko Bloc that won 10.61% of the votes and 15 seats and again he was elected into the Kiev City Council.^[45] His campaign hired Rudy Giuliani as a consultant for the campaign.^[42] In 2008 he was also appointed to the Ukrainian delegation of the Congress of the Council of Europe.

Klitschko became the leader of the political party UDAR of Vitaliy Klychko in April 2010.^[46] During the 2010 Ukrainian local elections, the party won representatives in (Ukrainian) municipalities and Oblast Councils (regional parliaments).^[47][48][49]

In October 2011, Klitschko announced that he would compete in the 2012 Kiev mayoral election.^[50]

Political positions[link]

Klitschko sees the European Union as Ukraine's "model for our future political and economic development."^[51] He believes current President Viktor Yanukovych and his Government are "deliberately destroying the integration (into Europe) prospects of Ukraine."^[52] Klitschko is in favour of NATO-Ukraine cooperation.^[53]

Klitschko wants less corruption and more transparency in Ukrainian politics.^[51][54] He also advocates lower taxes to stimulate the economy of Ukraine.^[51]

Klitschko did accuse in October 2011 President Yanukovych and the Azarov Government of "doing everything to manipulate the rules to stay in power longer";^[54] furthermore (in December 2011) he assert(ed) "every statement of the government" as "a continuation of lies and disinformation."^[52] Klitschko wants former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko and former Interior Minister Yuriy Lutsenko to be able participate in the 2012 parliamentary elections (Lutsenko is charged with abuse of power and Tymoshenko has been sentenced for the same misconduct).^[55][56] He has also taken part in a rally for Tymoshenko's release.^[56]

In December 2011 Klitschko described the judicial system of Ukraine as "complete degradation" and accused it of violating human rights and humiliating its prisoners.^[57]

Personal life[link]

Klitschko brothers with their mother and father.

His father, Vladimir Rodionovich Klitschko (1947–2011), was a Soviet Air Force major general and a military attaché of the Soviet Union in the East Germany. He was also one of the commanders in charge of cleaning up the effects of the Chernobyl Nuclear Disaster in 1986 and was afterward diagnosed with cancer.^{[citation needed]} His mother is Nadezhda Ulyanovna.^[58]

Klitschko is married to Natalia Egorova, a former athlete and model. They met in Kiev and got married on 26 April 1996. He has three children, Yegor-Daniel, Elizabeth-Victoria and Max (named after the former World Heavyweight Champion Max Schmeling).^[59][60]

In 1996, he graduated from the Pereyaslav-Khmelnytsky Pedagogical Institute (Ukraine) and was accepted into the postgraduate study program at the Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. On 29 February 2000, he presented his doctoral thesis on "talent and sponsorship in sports"^[61] at the Kiev University of Physical Science and Sports and his Ph.D. in Sports Science was conferred.

Both Vitali and his brother are avid chess players. Vitali is a friend of former world chess champion Vladimir Kramnik and the two have played, with Kramnik always winning. Vitali has commented that "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."^[62]

Vitali and his brother also have been involved in charitable activities dedicated to support the needs of schools, churches and children. In 2002, the Klitschko brothers announced that they had agreed to work for UNESCO.

Professional boxing record[link]

44 Wins (40 knockouts, 4 decisions), 2 Losses, 0 Draws[63]
Res.	Record	Opponent	Type	Rd., Time	Date	Location	Notes
Win	44–2	Dereck Chisora	UD	12	2012-02-18	Olympiahalle, Munich, Bayern	Retained WBC Heavyweight title.
Win	43–2	Tomasz Adamek	TKO	10 (12), 2:20	2011-09-10	Municipal Stadium, Wrocław, Lower Silesian	Retained WBC Heavyweight title.
Win	42–2	Odlanier Solis	KO	1 (12), 3:00	2011-03-19	Lanxess Arena, Cologne, Nordrhein-Westfalen	Retained WBC Heavyweight title.
Win	41–2	Shannon Briggs	UD	12	2010-10-16	O2 World Arena, Altona, Hamburg	Retained WBC Heavyweight title.
Win	40–2	Albert Sosnowski	KO	10 (12), 2:30	2010-05-29	Veltins-Arena, Gelsenkirchen, Nordrhein-Westfalen	Retained WBC Heavyweight title.
Win	39–2	Kevin Johnson	UD	12	2009-12-12	PostFinance Arena, Bern, Canton of Bern	Retained WBC Heavyweight title.
Win	38–2	Chris Arreola	RTD	10 (12), 3:00	2009-09-26	Staples Center, Los Angeles, California	Retained WBC Heavyweight title.
Win	37–2	Juan Carlos Gómez	TKO	9 (12), 1:49	2009-03-21	Hanns-Martin-Schleyer-Halle, Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg	Retained WBC Heavyweight title.
Win	36–2	Samuel Peter	RTD	8 (12), 3:00	2008-10-11	O2 World, Kreuzberg, Berlin	Won WBC Heavyweight title.
Win	35–2	Danny Williams	TKO	8 (12), 1:26	2004-12-11	Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada	Retained WBC & The Ring Heavyweight titles.
Win	34–2	Corrie Sanders	TKO	8 (12), 2:46	2004-04-24	Staples Center, Los Angeles, California	Won vacant WBC & The Ring Heavyweight titles.
Win	33–2	Kirk Johnson	TKO	2 (12), 2:54	2003-12-06	Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York	WBC Heavyweight Title Eliminator.
Loss	32–2	Lennox Lewis	TKO	6 (12), 3:00	2003-06-21	Staples Center, Los Angeles, California	For WBC, IBO, Lineal & The Ring Heavyweight titles.
Win	32–1	Larry Donald	TKO	10 (12), 2:35	2002-11-23	Arena Westfalenhalle, Dortmund, Nordrhein-Westfalen	Retained WBA Inter-Continental Heavyweight title. WBA Heavyweight Title Eliminator.
Win	31–1	Vaughn Bean	TKO	11 (12), 1:40	2002-02-08	Volkswagen Halle, Braunschweig, Niedersachsen	Retained WBA Inter-Continental Heavyweight title.
Win	30–1	Ross Puritty	TKO	11 (12), 1:16	2001-12-08	König Pilsener Arena, Oberhausen, Nordrhein-Westfalen	Retained WBA Inter-Continental Heavyweight title.
Win	29–1	Orlin Norris	KO	1 (12), 1:09	2001-01-27	Rudi Sedlmayer Halle, Munich, Bayern	Won vacant WBA Inter-Continental Heavyweight title.
Win	28–1	Timo Hoffmann	UD	12	2000-11-25	Preussag Arena, Hannover, Niedersachsen	Won vacant EBU Heavyweight title.
Loss	27–1	Chris Byrd	RTD	9 (12), 3:00	2000-04-01	Estrel Convention Center, Neukölln, Berlin	Lost WBO Heavyweight title.
Win	27–0	Obed Sullivan	RTD	9 (12), 3:00	1999-12-11	Alsterdorfer Sporthalle, Alsterdorf, Hamburg	Retained WBO Heavyweight title.
Win	26–0	Ed Mahone	TKO	3 (12), 1:45	1999-10-09	König Pilsener Arena, Oberhausen, Nordrhein-Westfalen	Retained WBO Heavyweight title.
Win	25–0	Herbie Hide	KO	2 (12), 1:14	1999-06-26	New London Arena, Millwall, London	Won WBO Heavyweight title.
Win	24–0	Ismael Youla	TKO	2 (12), 1:30	1999-02-20	Alsterdorfer Sporthalle, Alsterdorf, Hamburg	Retained EBU Heavyweight title.
Win	23–0	Francesco Spinelli	TKO	1 (12), 1:49	1998-12-05	Sport Palace, Kiev, Kiev Oblast	Retained EBU Heavyweight title.
Win	22–0	Mario Schiesser	TKO	2 (12), 2:00	1998-10-24	Alsterdorfer Sporthalle, Alsterdorf, Hamburg	Won vacant EBU Heavyweight title.
Win	21–0	Ricardo Kennedy	TKO	1 (8), 1:31	1998-08-11	Miccosukee Indian Gaming Resort, Miami, Florida
Win	20–0	Jose Ribalta	TKO	2 (8), 2:13	1998-06-05	Sporthalle, Wandsbek, Hamburg
Win	19–0	Dicky Ryan	TKO	5 (12)	1998-05-02	Hansehalle, Lübeck, Schleswig-Holstein	Won vacant WBO Inter-Continental Heavyweight title.
Win	18–0	Julius Francis	TKO	2 (12)	1998-04-18	Eurogress, Aachen, Nordrhein-Westfalen
Win	17–0	Levi Billups	KO	2 (10)	1998-03-20	Ballsporthalle, Frankfurt, Hessen
Win	16–0	Louis Monaco	KO	3 (10)	1998-03-07	Sartory Saale, Cologne, Nordrhein-Westfalen
Win	15–0	Alben Belinski	KO	2 (8)	1998-01-30	Berdux Filmstudios, Munich, Bayern
Win	14–0	Marcus Rhode	TKO	2 (10)	1998-01-17	Sport und Erholungszentrum, Friedrichshain, Berlin
Win	13–0	Anthony Willis	KO	5 (8)	1997-12-20	Oberrheinhalle, Offenburg, Baden-Württemberg
Win	12–0	Herman Delgado	TKO	3 (8)	1997-11-29	Rheinstrandhalle, Karlsruhe, Baden-Württemberg
Win	11–0	Gilberto Williamson	KO	6 (8), 2:50	1997-11-08	Ballsporthalle, Frankfurt, Hessen
Win	10–0	Will Hinton	KO	2 (6)	1997-10-04	Stadionsporthalle, Hannover, Niedersachsen
Win	9–0	Jimmy Haynes	KO	2 (6)	1997-06-14	Saaltheater Geulen, Aachen, Nordrhein-Westfalen
Win	8–0	Cleveland Woods	KO	2 (6), 2:16	1997-05-10	Ballsporthalle, Frankfurt, Hessen
Win	7–0	Derrick Roddy	TKO	2 (6), 2:14	1997-04-12	Eurogress, Aachen, Nordrhein-Westfalen
Win	6–0	Calvin Jones	KO	1 (6), 2:58	1997-03-08	Sartory Saale, Cologne, Nordrhein-Westfalen
Win	5–0	Troy Roberts	TKO	2 (6), 1:14	1997-02-22	Sporthalle, Wandsbek, Hamburg
Win	4–0	Mike Acklie	KO	1 (6), 0:32	1997-01-25	Maritim Hotel, Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg
Win	3–0	Brian Sargent	TKO	2 (6), 1:08	1996-12-21	Zoo-Gesellschaftshaus, Frankfurt, Hessen
Win	2–0	Frantisek Sumina	TKO	1 (4), 1:12	1996-11-30	Nova Arena, Wiener Neustadt, Niederösterreich
Win	1–0	Tony Bradham	KO	2 (4), 1:14	1996-11-16	Sporthalle, Wandsbek, Hamburg	Professional debut.

See also[link]

• List of European Boxing Union heavyweight champions
• List of heavyweight boxing champions

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Vitali Klitschko

• "The Official Site of Klitschko Brothers" (in German/English/Ukrainian/Russian). http://www.klitschko.com/. 
• Vitali Klitschko Fight-by-Fight Career Record
• Professional boxing record for Vitali Klitschko from BoxRec
• Klitschko Interview on FOX News Radio
• Klitschko Interview about his political views in Kyiv Post
• Klitschko vs Adamek World Championship fight 10 September 2011 | official website
• Klitschko movie 2011

Shannon "The Cannon" Briggs (born December 4, 1971) is an American heavyweight boxer, kickboxer and actor. He is the former Lineal and WBO heavyweight champion.^[1] He is the last American to hold a major heavyweight title.

Early life[link]

Born in Brooklyn, New York and raised in the Brownsville section of Brooklyn, Briggs was homeless for a period in his childhood. At age 17, Briggs began training at Jimmy O'Pharrow's Starrett City Boxing Club in Brooklyn, NY.

Amateur career[link]

Briggs became New York City Golden Gloves champion, New York State Champion, National P.A.L. Champion and finished second place as a Heavyweight at the Panamerican Games in 1991, losing the final to Félix Savón. In 1992 he became the United States Amateur Champion.

Professional career[link]

Briggs began his career in 1992 and was undefeated in his first 25 fights. He suffered his first loss when he was knocked out in three rounds by undefeated Darroll Wilson in Atlantic City, New Jersey, in 1996. The fight was broadcast on HBO and was a showcase of young heavyweight fighters.

Following this loss, Briggs beat George Foreman for the Lineal heavyweight title; he then lost to Lennox Lewis for the WBC heavyweight title. In their 1998 fight, Briggs had Lewis in trouble early but lost by TKO in the fifth round.

Shannon won the WBO heavyweight title when he knocked out Sergei Liakhovich in the last round of a November 4, 2006, matchup. After a lackluster 11 rounds which left the Arizona crowd restless, Briggs was losing on all three judges' scorecards. Sensing urgency, Briggs pressed the fight in the 12th round and knocked Liakhovich down. Briggs subsequently trapped him on the ropes and continued his assault, knocking Liakhovich out of the ring. Liakhovich landed on a ringside table, and the referee stopped the bout. The official time was 2:59.[1]

In his first title defense Shannon Briggs was to face Sultan Ibragimov on March 10, 2007; however, Briggs pulled out of the fight because he was diagnosed with "aspirational pneumonia." The fight was rescheduled fifty days later in Atlantic City on June 2, 2007, with a sluggish Briggs losing in a unanimous decision.

On October 16, 2010 Briggs fought in a WBC title challenge against Vitali Klitschko in the O₂ World at Hamburg. He took a severe beating and, after the fight, went down in his quarters. Brought to a hospital Briggs was initially treated in intensive care and found to have suffered a left orbital fracture, a broken nose, and a torn left biceps.^[2] In addition, he had another facial fracture above the right eye and a burst ear drum.

Briggs was promoted by Don King Productions and is self managed.

Outside the ring[link]

Briggs is also an actor. He made his television acting debut on New York Undercover in 1995 and has since appeared in feature films Bad Boys 2 with Will Smith and Martin Lawrence, Transporter 2, and The Wackness.

Briggs also made an appearance on the Fugees' breakthrough album, The Score. He appears in the music video for rapper Thirstin Howl III's song "Surrounded By Criminals" (from his 2011 album Natural Born Skiller).

Professional boxing record[link]

51 Wins (45 knockouts), 6 Losses, 1 Draw, 1 No Contest [2]
Result	Record	Opponent	Type	Round	Date	Location	Notes
Loss	51-6-1 1 NC	Vitali Klitschko	UD	12	16/10/2010	O2 World Hamburg, Altona, Hamburg, Germany	For WBC heavyweight title.
Win	51-5-1 1 NC	Rob Calloway	TKO	1 (10)	28/05/2010	Norfolk Scope Arena, Norfolk, Virginia, United States
Win	50-5-1 1 NC	Dominique Alexander	TKO	1 (10)	21/05/2010	Capitale, New York, New York, United States
Win	49-5-1 1 NC	Rafael Pedro	KO	1 (10)	13/04/2010	Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Hollywood, Florida, United States	Won vacant WBC Latino heavyweight title.
NC	48-5-1 1 NC	Marcus McGee	NC	1 (8)	03/12/2009	Manhattan Center Grand Ballroom, New York, New York, United States
Loss	48-5-1	Sultan Ibragimov	UD	12	02/06/2007	Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States	Lost WBO heavyweight title.
Win	48-4-1	Siarhei Liakhovich	TKO	12 (12)	04/11/2006	Chase Field, Phoenix, Arizona, United States	Won WBO heavyweight title.
Win	47-4-1	Chris Koval	RTD	12 (12)	24/05/2006	Hammerstein Ballroom, New York, New York, United States	Retained NABO & NABA heavyweight titles. Won vacant USBA heavyweight title.
Win	46-4-1	Dicky Ryan	KO	4 (12)	18/03/2006	Convention Center, Fort Smith, Arkansas, United States	Won vacant NABA & NABO heavyweight titles.
Win	45-4-1	Luciano Zolyone	KO	1 (12)	10/12/2005	Roberto Clemente Coliseum, San Juan, Puerto Rico	Won vacant WBC FECARBOX heavyweight title.
Win	44-4-1	Brian Scott	KO	1 (10)	26/11/2005	Convention Center, Fort Smith, Arkansas, United States
Win	43-4-1	Ray Mercer	KO	7 (10)	26/08/2005	Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Hollywood, Florida, United States
Win	42-4-1	Abraham Okine	TKO	3 (10)	10/06/2005	Turning Stone Casino, Verona, New York, United States
Win	41-4-1	Demetrice King	TKO	2 (6)	03/03/2005	MSG Theater, Verona, New York, United States
Win	40-4-1	Jeff Pegues	TKO	1 (10)	06/03/2004	Turning Stone Casino, Verona, New York, United States
Win	39-4-1	Wade Lewis	TKO	3 (8)	28/08/2003	The Plex, North Charleston, South Carolina, United States
Win	38-4-1	John Sargent	TKO	1 (12)	19/07/2003	War Memorial Auditorium, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States
Win	37-4-1	Marvin Hill	TKO	1 (10)	27/03/2003	War Memorial Auditorium, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States
Loss	36-4-1	Jameel McCline	UD	10	27/04/2002	Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, United States
Win	36-3-1	Reynaldo Minus	KO	1 (8)	01/12/2001	Jacob Javits Center, New York, New York, United States
Win	35-3-1	Jason Waller	TKO	1 (10)	19/10/2001	Orleans Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win	34-3-1	Russell Chasteen	KO	1 (10)	07/04/2001	Coeur D'Alene Casino, Worley, Idaho, United States
Win	33-3-1	Eric Curry	KO	1 (10)	02/11/2000	Coeur D'Alene Casino, Worley, Idaho, United States
Loss	32-3-1	Sedreck Fields	MD	8	27/04/2000	Hammerstein Ballroom, New York, New York, United States
Win	32-2-1	Waren Williams	TKO	3 (10)	24/02/2000	Hammerstein Ballroom, New York, New York, United States
Draw	31-2-1	Francois Botha	MD	10	07/08/1999	Taj Majal Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States	Botha down in round 8.
Win	31–2	Marcus Rhode	TKO	3 (10)	08/12/1998	Roseland Ballroom, New York, New York, United States
Loss	30–2	Lennox Lewis	TKO	5 (12)	28/03/1998	Boardwalk Convention Center, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States	Lost Lineal heavyweight title. For WBC heavyweight title.
Win	30–1	George Foreman	MD	12	22/11/1997	Taj Majal Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States	Won Lineal heavyweight title.
Win	29–1	Jorge Valdes	TKO	10 (10)	24/06/1997	Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States
Win	28–1	Melton Bowen	TKO	1 (10)	15/04/1997	West Orange, New Jersey, United States
Win	27–1	Eric French	TKO	2 (8)	21/02/1997	Mahi Temple Shrine Auditorium, Miami, Florida, United States
Win	26–1	Tim Ray	KO	1 (10)	25/09/1996	Robert Treat Hotel, Newark, Florida, United States
Loss	25–1	Darroll Wilson	TKO	3 (10)	15/03/1996	Convention Center, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win	25–0	Calvin Jones	TKO	1 (10)	15/12/1995	Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, United States
Win	24–0	Sherman Griffin	TKO	1 (10)	22/09/1995	Lewiston, Maine, United States
Win	23–0	Will Hinton	TKO	1 (8)	25/08/1995	Bally's Atlantic City, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win	22–0	Marion Wilson	PTS	8	24/03/1995	South Mountain Arena, West Orange, New Jersey, United States
Win	21–0	Craig Payne	UD	8	13/01/1995	Bally's Park Place Hotel Casino, West Orange, New Jersey, United States
Win	20–0	Mike Faulkner	KO	2 (?)	21/10/1994	Palm Springs, California, United States
Win	19–0	Mark Young	TKO	8 (?)	26/08/1994	Bally's Park Place Hotel Casino, West Orange, New Jersey, United States
Win	18–0	Exum Speight	TKO	1 (?)	04/08/1994	Foxwoods Resort, Mashantucket, Connecticut, United States
Win	17–0	Jimmy Ellis	TKO	1 (?)	12/03/1994	MGM Grand, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win	16–0	Mike Faulkner	KO	6 (?)	20/02/1994	Biloxi Belle Casino, Biloxi, Mississippi, United States
Win	15–0	Danny Wofford	UD	6	09/12/1993	Paramount Theatre, New York, New York, United States
Win	14–0	Tim Noble	TKO	3 (?)	10/11/1993	Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win	13–0	Danny Blake	PTS	6	10/07/1993	Fernwood Resort, Bushkill, Pennsylvania, United States
Win	12–0	Bruce Johnson	TKO	1 (6)	22/05/1993	RFK Stadium, Washington, D.C., United States
Win	11–0	Ron Gullette	TKO	1 (6)	25/03/1993	Harrah's Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win	10–0	Robert Pagan Perez	KO	1 (?)	09/12/1992	Newark, New Jersey, United States
Win	9–0	Rocky Bentley	PTS	4	04/12/1992	Fernwood Resort, Bushkill, Pennsylvania, United States
Win	8–0	Rick Honeycutt	TKO	1 (?)	21/11/1992	Miami, Florida, United States
Win	7–0	Tony Simpson	TKO	1 (?)	13/11/1992	Revere, Massachusetts, United States
Win	6–0	Donnie Penelton	KO	1 (?)	29/10/1992	Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States
Win	5–0	Juan Quintana	TKO	3 (?)	09/10/1992	Tiverton, Rhode Island, United States
Win	4–0	Greg Santos	KO	1 (?)	19/09/1992	Troy, New York, United States
Win	3–0	Ed Carlson	KO	1 (?)	28/08/1992	Lexington, Kentucky, United States
Win	2–0	Cedric Sims	KO	1 (?)	06/08/1992	Virginia Beach, Virginia, United States
Win	1–0	John Basil Jackson	KO	1 (4)	24/07/1992	Catskill, New York, United States