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Klitschko Brothers
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KIEV, Ukraine (AP) — WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko returned home to a hero's welcome in his native Ukraine on Wednesday - welcomed by a military brass band and hundreds of cheering fans.
"The belt that belonged to legendary Muhammad Ali and Joe Lewis, now belongs to Ukraine," said Klitschko, showing off the green belt from his April 24 victory over Corrie Sanders.
Klitschko was accompanied by his younger brother Wladimir, who was defeated in his bid to win the minor WBO title.
"We tried our best to bring two belts to our homeland, but not everything depended on us," Vitali Klitschko told the crowds at Kiev's City Hall.
"I still don't understand what happened to me on Apr. 10, when I suddenly felt myself so exhausted that I had to fight not against Brewster, but rather against myself from the first rounds," Wladimir said, adding that he was in his "best shape" before the fight.
Media reports in Ukraine were full of speculations about the blood tests taken from Wladimir Klitschko right after the fight - the tests revealed his sugar levels were four times higher than normal.
"But they were normal the next day, and the results of the tests taken in a week, have mysteriously disappeared," said Vitali Klitschko.
Also, he claimed that Wladimir, who was as much as a 11-1 favorite against Brewster, was registered as 3-1 favorite just few hours before the fight.
"There were too many coincidences for me not to have suspicions," said Vitali Klitschko, who has been honored with an Order of Courage medal from President Leonid Kuchma.
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© Copyrights / All Rights reserved: Doghouse Boxing 1998-2004
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Media Report (May 5, 2004) 
