Wladimir Klitschko Fights for Laureus

It will be a great night in the history of boxing on February 23 when IBF/IBO Champion Wladimir Klitschko takes on WBO Champion Sultan Ibragimov at Madison Square Garden in New York City – the first unification fight in heavyweight boxing since the two bouts between Evander Holyfield and Lennox Lewis in 1999. Laureus Ambassador Wladimir Klitschko has announced that he is to dedicate the fight to the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation USA. Wladimir Klitschko said: “Since the fight takes place in New York, I want the youngsters from this city to benefit from it. Together with the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, we will start a social project in New York using boxing as the focus. We have had very positive experiences with a boxing project in Berlin, where boys and girls can learn skills in the gym which can help them in their daily life in terms of boosting their self-esteem and helping them to channel aggression into positive energy.” The funds for the new project in New York will be raised with a special offer to Wladimir Klitschko fans. Up to 10,000 names can be placed on the boxing robe, which Klitschko will wear when he enters Madison Square Garden Arena on February 23. >From today, fans from all over the world can support this charity initiative by logging on to www.klitschko.com and booking a space on the robe. The price is US$199.00 and each fan who participates will get a personal certificate signed by Wladimir Klitschko and Edwin Moses, the Chairman of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation. In addition to the funds raised directly from fans, the Klitschko robe will be auctioned later in the year with the proceeds going to the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation USA. During the week before the fight, Wladimir Klitschko, together with members of the Laureus World Sports Academy, will launch the new boxing project in New York, details of which will be announced shortly. Edwin Moses, Chairman of the Laureus World Sports Academy, said: “On behalf of the members of the Laureus World Sports Academy I express our deep appreciation of Wladimir’s initiative. This is an amazing gesture which will help young people in New York and a classic example of how sport today can have a positive impact on society. We already have three Laureus projects in New York and we think this will be a great addition. All our efforts in this community and our other programmes around the world can benefit from this remarkable co-operation.” Wladimir Klitschko, and his brother Vitali, became members of the Laureus Friends & Ambassadors programme two years ago. They are great supporters of the work of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation. Laureus Friends & Ambassadors is an initiative aimed at encouraging the involvement of sport stars and friends in the work of the Laureus Foundation. The personalities have volunteered their time to act as global ambassadors by using their influence to highlight the plight of underprivileged children. The Laureus Sport for Good Foundation addresses a broad range of social problems through a worldwide programme of sports related community development initiatives. Laureus improves the lives of over 150,000 young people. The Laureus Sport for Good Foundation USA supports four projects - CampInteractive, Fight Back!, I Challenge Myself and Midnight Basketball League.