Vitali Klitschko to Show Skills in LA Again

Not long after Vitali Klitschko's second-round knockout of Herbie Hide secured his first world title in 1999, he received a message from a man he idolized.

"You're not a world champion until you've fought in the United States," said German boxing legend Max Schmeling, who died in 2005.

"If you want to be the real world champion, you have to fight in America," Schmeling told Klitschko. "The United States is the mecca of boxing -- the biggest stage of them all."

On Saturday night in Los Angeles, Klitschko will heed Schmeling's words for only the sixth time in his career when the 38-year-old champion defends his World Boxing Council belt against Cris Arreola.

In making his third appearance at The Staples Center -- the most by any headlining boxer -- Klitschko (37-2, 36 knockouts) believes he, not Arreola (27-0, 24 KOs), will have the crowd in his favor.

"I'm very happy to fight here again -- especially against Cris Arreola, who is also from [California]," said Klitschko, whose last bout on American soil was an eighth-round knockout of Danny Williams in late 2004.

"I'm happy to present my skills here, once again, because it's been a long time -- more than four years -- since I've fought in the United States," said Klitschko.

"I have a special reason to fight at the Staples Center," Klitschko said. "I have a lot of fans and friends who want to be at the fight and who support me and who like boxing. I'm happy that we'll be fighting at the Staples Center."

At the time Schmeling addressed him, Klitschko had fought in American only once, stopping Ricardo Kennedy in the first round in August 1998.

Prior to Williams, Klitschko lost to Lennox Lewis at the Staples Center in June 2003, stopped Kirk Johnson in two rounds at New York's Madison Square Garden six months later and beat Corrie Sanders at the Staples Center in April 2004.

"Vitali can fight over in Europe or in Germany for a lot more lucrative paydays because he has fought so many times and is very popular," said Tom Loeffler, manager of Klitschko's K2 Promotions.

"But Vitali feels as if he's really building a fan base here in Los Angeles," said Loeffler. "With Cris being a local here from [California], and Vitali having fought here, it really made sense."

Much of Klitschko's noteriety came from the loss to Lewis, who trailed on the cards when his hand was raised in victory after a large gash over Klitschko's eye forced their fight to be stopped in the sixth round.

"After the fight, Vitali jumped on the ropes with his hands in the air as if he should have been the winner," said Loeffler. "Probably 80 percent of the fans were cheering for him. That won him instant popularity."

The next day, Loeffler said Klitschko's bloody face graced the cover of the L.A. Times, just as it did after winning the WBC title over Sanders.

Then-Mayor James Hahn declared a "Vitali Klitschko Day" following the win over Sanders, said Loeffler.

Klitschko lives in Los Angeles with his wife of 14 years, Natalie, as well as their three children, Ygor, 9, Elizabeth, 6, Max, 4 -- all of whom were born in LA where their father also trains. Max Klitschko was named in honor of Schmeling.

"Vitali's had that house for about four years now. They have a swimming pool in the backyard where the children play," said Loeffler. "The family frequents an outdoor shopping mall -- The Grove. And Vitali is a fixture at the Golds Gym and often runs on Venice Beach."

Around the world, Klitschko is known for his humanitarianism along with his brother, Wladimir Klitschko, 33, owner of the World Boxing Organization and International Boxing Federation crowns.

Since 2002, the Klitschko's have been spokesmen for the German Commission for UNESCO's Education For Children In Need program. As such, they travel globally, raising money.

"We have different lives outside of boxing. Right now, we're ambassadors of UNESCO, and we have been for almost seven, eight years. We've worked on many different projects in the Ukraine, the United States, and worldwide," said Klitschko.

The Klitschkos have been honored by UNESCO as "Heroes For Kids."

"We try to use our power, energy and ideas to make life easier for people who need our help -- especially children of impoverished countries who don't have food to eat," said Vitali Klitschko.

"I love to use the words of Nelson Mandela: sports has the power to change the world," Klitschko said. "That's why we've worked together to send money around the world to open a school in Nigeria and Armenia."

On Saturday night, Klitschko will do his best to satisfy those in attendance who are hungry for another thrilling performance.

"This is not just for the money. It's for the audience and boxing fans. I want to repay the audience that supported me against Lewis Lewis and Corrie Sanders," Klitschko said.

"I'm ready to fight all 12 rounds. I'm in great condition," said Klitschko. "But if I see a mistake of Arreola's, I will use that mistake and give my best to send him to the floor as soon as possible -- to knock him out."

Notes: On the Klitschko-Arreola undercard, fast-rising, hard-hitting, undefeated heavyweight Alexander Ustinov (17-0, 14 KOs), of Minsk, Belarus, will take on once-beaten Cedric Boswell (31-1, 24 KOs), of Atlanta, Ga., in a 12-round championship fight for Ustinov's WBA European title.

In another compelling heavyweight matchup of American brawlers, Johnathon Banks (21-1, 15 KOs) of Detroit will face Javier Mora (22-4, 18 KOs) of Anaheim, Calif.