Net Worth Ranker
What Is Vitali Klitschko Net Worth’ Net Worth
Vitali Klitschko, the former professional heavyweight boxer and current Ukrainian politician, has accumulated a substantial net worth of $80 million. This impressive figure reflects his successful boxing career, strategic investments, and subsequent political endeavors.
Boxing Career Earnings and Achievements
Klitschko, known to his fans as “Dr. Ironfirst,” earned a significant portion of his net worth through professional boxing. His career spanned from 1996 to 2013, during which he won multiple world heavyweight championships. From 1999 to 2000, he held the WBO title, followed by the WBC title between 2004 and 2013.
His boxing prowess is highlighted by his high knockout percentage. By the time he retired, he boasted an 87% knockout rate. He won 15 world heavyweight title fights. The Klitschko brothers, Vitali and Wladimir, hold the world record for the most world heavyweight title fight wins as brothers. Their dominance led to the period between 2006 and 2015 being dubbed the “Klitschko Era” in boxing.
It’s worth noting that Vitali was never knocked down in his professional career, joining a very exclusive club of boxers. He is also the only heavyweight boxer to have won world championships across three different decades (the 1990s, 2000s, and 2010s). Furthermore, he and George Foreman are the only two heavyweight boxers to have successfully defended a title after the age of 40.
Political Career and Income
Beyond boxing, Vitali Klitschko has carved out a career in Ukrainian politics, contributing to his overall financial standing. His political journey began before his retirement from boxing. He was a candidate in the Kyiv mayoral race in 2006, finishing second. In 2010, he founded the Ukrainian Democratic Alliance for Reform (UDAR). Klitschko was elected into parliament with this party. He became a leading figure during the Euromaidan protests of 2013 and 2014. On May 24, 2015, Vitali was elected Mayor of Kyiv, and he was re-elected on November 15, 2015. That same year, Klitschko became the new party leader of the Petro Poroshenko Bloc. He was later re-elected as mayor. He has since left the Petro Poroshenko Bloc to revive the UDAR. As Mayor of Kyiv, Klitschko receives a salary, which, while not publicly disclosed in precise figures, contributes to his income stream.
Early Life and Education
Vitali Volodymyrovych Klitschko was born on July 19, 1971, in Belovodskoye, Kirghiz SSR, Soviet Union. This area is now Kyrgyzstan. His father was a Soviet Air Force major general and military attaché in East Germany. His father was one of the commanders tasked with cleaning up the Chernobyl nuclear disaster. He was diagnosed with cancer shortly after this incident. As a young man, Klitschko worked at the Kyiv Automation Plant as a toolmaker to earn money.
Klitschko graduated from the Pereyaslav-Khmelnytsky Pedagogical Institute in 1996, the same year he turned professional. In 2000, he earned his Ph.D. in Sports Science after presenting his doctoral thesis on “talent and sponsorship in sports.”
Details on Boxing Career
Vitali began boxing in the 1980s, trained by Anatoliy Klimanov, a former Soviet boxer. He also trained in kickboxing, karate, and boxing. By 1996, he pursued a professional boxing career and signed with a Germany-based production. He won his first 24 fights by knockout or TKO. In 1999, he won the WBO heavyweight title by defeating Herbie Hide. He defended the title twice but lost to Chris Byrd in 2000 due to a shoulder injury. Klitschko received criticism for quitting the fight, but he then won five straight fights. This earned him a shot at the WBC title against Lennox Lewis. Klitschko suffered a severe cut over his left eye. The referee stopped the fight due to injury. Klitschko was ahead on the cards when the fight was stopped.
Lewis retired in 2004 and vacated the title. Eventually, Klitschko won the WBC title against Corrie Sanders. He defended his title against Danny Williams. He retired in 2005 due to an ACL injury, but returned in 2008. He regained his heavyweight title against Samuel Peter. He defended his title until 2013, when he retired to focus on politics.
Klitschko is viewed as the tougher fighter when compared with his brother Wladimir. He was never knocked down in his career. Many believe he was the best heavyweight of his era. Although skilled, Klitschko relied on his size to dominate other heavyweights.
