Klitschko Bros Are In The Gym Training Hard For Their Next Fights

06.02 - The winningest brothers' act in the history of the heavyweight division, Wladimir "Steelhammer" and Vitali "Iron Fist" Klitschko, continue to train at Universum Gym in Hamburg, Germany, for their upcoming fights.

Wladimir (40-1, 37 KOs), 26, will begin sparring Monday for his World Boxing Organization (WBO) title defense against Corrie Sanders (38-2, 28 KOs) of South Africa, on March 8 in Hannover, Germany, on HBO. It will be Wladimir's sixth title defense, and third in a row televised on HBO.

"I am not allowed to underestimate an opponent," said the 6-foot-6 Wladimir, who trains for two months before a fight. "Sanders has 18 first-round knockout. But I will be ready and am looking forward to fighting again and having the fight seen in the United States."

Vitali (32-1, 31 KOs), 31, has been mostly concentrating on strength and conditioning. His serious preparation will not begin until the date of his fight against Lennox Lewis has been finalized.

"I am ready to fight Lewis," said the 6-foot-9 former WBO champion, who is currently ranked No. 1 in the World Boxing Council (WBC) and therefore is the mandatory challenger to Lewis. Klitschko is also rated No. 1 in the World Boxing Association (WBA) and No. 5 in the International Boxing Federation (IBF). "I am sure I have a better chance of beating Lewis than Mike Tyson. But all I can do is continue to stay sharp while negotiations continue,'' Vitali added.

Social Calendar: On Monday, Feb. 10, the brothers will be featured guests at a star-studded dinner for "Cinema For Peace,'' which is part of the "Berlinale," the most famous film festival in Europe. Among the celebrities who will attend an annual gala affair that takes place each year in Berlin, Germany, are Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg, Leonardo DiCaprio, Roger Moore and many other top European actresses and actors. Proceeds from the gala event benefit the UNICEF project "Children In War Regions.''

Add Calendar: On Saturday, Feb. 15, Wladimir will be a presenter at Europe's most important musical event, "The Echo Awards." Europe's version of the Grammy Awards is televised by RTL, the biggest free TV station in Europe. The heavyweight champ will present the award for best "Rock/Pop Single Record" of the year.

SHAPING UP: The hottest fitness program being utilized by those who work out at Germany's top-level gyms these days just happens to be one produced by Wladimir and Vitali. "Klitschko Boxing Power" stresses fitness, boxing and conditioning and not only is very popular with men but women, too. In fact, approximately two-thirds of the people who take the course are women.
For more information on the Klitschko Brothers, please go the official Klitschko website WWW.KLITSCHKO.COM