Ukrainian powerhouse Wladimir Klitschko is considered to be one of the most entertaining and impressive modern heavyweight boxers.
Retiring in 2017, Klitschko’s final dance with Anthony Joshua was just one of the many entertaining showings that ‘Dr. Steelhammer’ had.
With a professional record of 64-5, Klitschko’s career would see him reign as a dominant champion for almost a decade.
Although Klitschko was beaten by Corrie Sanders to end his first reign as world champion, the heavyweight was able to become a two-time champion.
In order to begin his second spell as title holder, Klitschko had to prove his worth against an unbeaten opponent.
Wladimir Klitschko fought and defeated Samuel Peter in heavyweight title eliminator
After a failed attempt at reclaiming a heavyweight title against Lamon Brewster in 2004, back-to-back wins would see Klitschko placed in a top contender bout.
Facing Samuel Peter, the winner of the bout would be given the opportunity to compete for the IBF World Heavyweight title. However, this would be no easy task for Klitschko.
Peter went into the fight with a professional record of 24-0, with 21 wins coming by way of knockout. ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ was also going into the bout in good form, having knocked out Taurus Sykes in his last performance.
The pair met in Atlantic City in September 2005, as Klitschko had a record of 44-3.
Younger than his opponent by four years, Peter was considered the favorite going into the bout, and would seem to be proving the oddsmakers right in round five.
The power of Peter began to show as he was able to put Klitschko down twice in the fifth round. However, the Ukrainian would survive the two trips to the canvas.
Klitschko would once again suffer a knockdown in the 10th round, thanks to a reaching right hand from Peter.
Despite the knockdowns from the power puncher, Klitschko would have the better all-around performance. Particularly as the fight went on, the former world champion was able to outbox his opponent.
Competing as the more effective boxer, despite not scoring a knockdown, Klitschko earned a convincing unanimous decision victory. The underdog performance would earn Klitschko an opportunity at the IBF World Heavyweight title.
Wladimir Klitschko became a two-time champion against Chris Byrd
In April 2006, Klitschko would return to the ring to compete against IBF World Heavyweight champion Chris Byrd.
This would be a rematch of a meeting from 2000, when Klitschko was able to dethrone Byrd for the WBO title. Meeting six years later, history would repeat itself.
A dominant showing from Klitschko would see him score two knockdowns on his way to a unanimous decision victory in Cologne, Germany.
It was just the second defeat of Byrd’s career, as Klitschko earned a brace of victories against the American. ‘Dr. Steelhammer’ would maintain his champion status all the way until 2015, when he was bested by Tyson Fury.