Maksim Klichko, son of legendary boxer Vitali Klichko, has opened up about his decision to pursue basketball instead of following his father's footsteps into the boxing ring. The young athlete, who currently represents Ukraine's U-20 national basketball team, explained his career choice in a recent statement.
"I know that my surname is important in sports, and it's a pride for me to carry it. However, boxing was never my favorite activity. I loved being outdoors, and eventually found myself on a court in the park. That's how I discovered my passion for basketball. I'm still relatively new, but I understand that I have potential in this sport," Maksim explained.
For the son of a boxing legend, carving his own path wasn't necessarily the obvious choice. The Klichko name carries significant weight in the sporting world, particularly in boxing circles where Vitali and his brother Wladimir dominated the heavyweight division for years.
Interestingly, Maksim's basketball journey has already taken him to Monaco, where he competed with the youth team. Not every outing has been successful though - he reportedly couldn't help the Monaco youth squad secure the French championship in their recent campaign.
Will the younger Klichko eventually make as big a mark in basketball as his father did in boxing? Only time will tell, but his determination to forge his own path certainly shows the same fighting spirit that made his father a champion.
