Wladimir Klitschko, one of boxing's most accomplished heavyweight champions, shared a longtime relationship with actress Hayden Panettiere, who died Sunday, Aug. 16, at 36 years old.
The two also share a daughter, Kaya, who presently lives in Ukraine with her father.
Beyond his relationship with Panettiere, Klitschko put together a decorated boxing career that included an Olympic gold medal and one of the longest heavyweight championship runs in history.
Who Is Wladimir Klitschko?
Known as “Dr. Steelhammer,” Klitschko represented Ukraine and won super-heavyweight gold at the 1996 Olympics before turning professional that year.
Klitschko was also one of the heavyweight division's most dangerous punchers. He finished his career with a 64-5 record and 53 knockouts, with his powerful right hand becoming one of his signature weapons.
MORE: Wladimir Klitschko Posted Strong Message Hours Before News of Hayden Panettiere’s Death
After setbacks earlier in his career, Klitschko began working with legendary trainer Emanuel Steward in 2004. Steward, the man behind Detroit's famous Kronk Gym, also trained champions including Thomas Hearns and Lennox Lewis.
Under Steward, Klitschko developed into the dominant heavyweight of his era. He won the IBF heavyweight title in April 2006 and remained a world champion until Tyson Fury defeated him in November 2015, a championship run spanning more than nine years. Steward remained Klitschko's trainer until his death in 2012.
Wladimir Klitschko's Final Fight Against Anthony Joshua
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Klitschko's final fight came against Anthony Joshua before approximately 90,000 fans at Wembley Stadium in April 2017.
Joshua dropped Klitschko in the fifth round, but Klitschko responded by flooring Joshua in the sixth. Joshua eventually rallied, dropping Klitschko twice in the 11th before earning the TKO victory.
Klitschko retired later that year, ending a professional career that spanned more than two decades.
Wladimir Klitschko and Hayden Panettiere's Relationship
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Klitschko and Panettiere began dating in 2009 and became engaged in 2013. Their only child together, Kaya, was born in December 2014 and is now 11 years old.
The couple separated in 2018, but Panettiere told Us Weekly in May that they remained close.
“I’m so grateful for Wlad,” Panettiere said, describing their relationship as a “deep friendship.”
Panettiere also praised Klitschko as a father and described Kaya as “all the best parts of me and Wlad.”
In 2018, the late actress signed over custody to Klitschko while she sought treatment for substance abuse and addiction. She most recently addressed that "incredibly difficult" decision during a viral 2026 interview on Jay Shetty's "On Purpose" podcast.
She also told CBS Mornings in May 2026 that she still had a close relationship with Kaya.
"I'm so blessed to have a great relationship with her," Panettiere said. "I fly over there as much as I can. I'm on FaceTime with her all the time. She's now 11 years old, and she's calling Mommy more and more."
