Vitali Klitschko initially left the sport of boxing after defeating Danny Williams in 2004, but returned years later.
Vitali Klitschko seemed to have reached the end of the road with his career when, in 2004, after winning the vacant heavyweight title against Corrie Sanders, he defended his title against Danny Williams before taking time off the sport.
Klitschko had, at the time, a record of 35-2, having lost only to Chris Byrd and, controversially, Lennox Lewis.
However, after years of absence, he decided there was one goal big enough to make him return.
Vitali Klitschko returned so he and his brother could be champions at the same time
In 2008, after four years away, Klitschko, who called out Nikolai Valuev once, returned against WBC champion Samuel Peter.
Peter, 30-1, had twice beaten James Toney, and his sole loss had come against Vitali’s brother, Wladimir Klitschko.
Vitali, even after such a long period of inactivity, was levels above Peter, who, after rounds of punishment, opted not to come out of his corner after the eighth round.
Klitschko, who was stopped on cuts against Lewis, claimed the WBC belt with this win, whilst his brother held the IBF and WBO titles.
With the win, he fulfilled a dream to sit on the heavyweight throne alongside his brother, Dr Steelhammer and Dr Ironfist together.
‘Watch yourself now, brother’… Vitali Klitschko teased Wladimir at the post-fight press conference
After claiming the belt, Vitali sat beside his brother at the post-fight press conference. Wladimir had brought his own belts with him, and according to BoxRec, Vitali said, picking up one of Wladimir’s belts: “You know what? I like this belt very much.”
Wladimir’s response was short and sweet: “Watch yourself now, brother.”