Twenty-one years ago, Vitali Klitschko was crowned heavyweight world champion. His opponent Corrie Sanders – who had previously defeated his brother Wladimir – was his toughest opponent. Eight years after the fight, he died in tragic circumstances.
It was an evening for the history books. On April 24, 2004, 17,320 spectators flocked to the Staples Center in Los Angeles to watch a fight that was much more than just a boxing match. For Vitali Klitschko, it wasn’t just about the prestigious WBC heavyweight world title – it was a personal crusade, a mission to honor his family.
Thirteen months earlier, South African Corrie Sanders had surprisingly defeated Vitali’s younger brother Wladimir in Hanover, inflicting one of the most painful defeats of his career. The older brother successfully took revenge on Sanders, who has since died in tragic circumstances.
230 hits: A battle of extremes
Vitali Klitschko fought Sanders not only to avenge Wladimir, but also for himself: Ten months earlier, Vitali had missed his first chance at the world title after being forced to retire due to injury in his fight against Lennox Lewis. Because a rematch did not materialize due to Lewis’ retirement, Sanders got his chance – and proved to be a tough test.
Sanders, known for his dangerous style and immense punching power, put Klitschko under pressure in the first round with quick attacks and even briefly staggered the Ukrainian. But anyone familiar with the iron will of the sports scientist knew that this would only make Klitschko more determined.
With each round, Klitschko gained more control over the fight. His precise punches landed more and more frequently on the South African’s head. What followed was an impressive example of his opponent’s resilience. Sanders, who remained steadfast despite numerous effective hits, turned the fight into a real slugfest.
“Corrie was fast, could take a punch and dish it out. His style was very dangerous and didn’t suit me,” Klitschko later admitted to Sport Bild. The numbers spoke for themselves: Klitschko landed a total of 230 punches on his opponent.
Vitali Klitschko: “I never thought that was possible.”
After 2:46 minutes in the eighth round, the moment finally arrived: the referee stepped in and ended the fight, even though Sanders was still on his feet. Klitschko won by technical knockout and was allowed to strap on the WBC belt, following in the footsteps of famous predecessors such as Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson.
“What Sanders took was insane. I never would have thought it possible,” said the new world champion, clearly astonished after the fight. Sanders had to be taken to the hospital with a severe hematoma on his left ear and injuries to his eyes.
For Vitali Klitschko, the evening marked the beginning of a glorious era as world champion that would last for nine years until his retirement in December 2013. Sanders did not live to see this, his life ending tragically a year earlier.
On September 23, 2012, Sanders was celebrating his daughter’s 21st birthday at a restaurant near his hometown of Pretoria when armed assailants raided the establishment. Sanders was shot during the attack and died shortly afterward in the hospital. He was only 46 years old.
Vitali Klitschko, now 53 and mayor of war-torn Kiev, has fond memories of Sanders: “Corrie Sanders was the most difficult opponent I ever fought,” he once said.
