Wladimir Klitschko Universum Box-Promotion in Hamburg under the tutelage of Fritz Sdunek, often being featured on fight cards alongside his elder brother Vitali. After building an undefeated record of 24–0 with 22 KOs, he suffered his first loss to 24–13–1 Ross Puritty, in what was Klitschko's first and only professional fight in Ukraine. Puritty forced Klitschko, who had at that time not gone beyond 8 rounds, to punch himself out. Klitschko began to be overwhelmed in the 10th round and went down twice but was allowed to continue. At the start of the 11th round, with Puritty continuing to land hard punches,
Wladimir Klitschko vs. David Haye came to nothing. Haye reiterated a challenge to Klitschko to fight him in 2009. In his second fight, he wanted to fight JD Chapman who he claimed was a similar style to the Klitschkos. Haye also added that the heavyweight division was scared of him. In July 2008 Wladimir Klitschko said that Haye was a possible opponent for him to fight next. Haye started to call out the Klitschkos after he knocked out Monte Barret in the 5th round in 2008. In late 2008 Haye and Vitali verbally agreed to terms to fight in the summer. However Klitschko fought mandatory