KLITSCHKO, WLADIMIR-FABIAN MEZA & VITALI KLITSCHKO-TONY BRADHAM OFFICIAL PROGRAM (1996-PRO DEBUT)

On November 16, 1996 at Sporthalle, Wandsbek, Hamburg, Germany future world heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko made his pro debut against Fabian Meza. Klitschko knocked Meza out in the first round. Olympic gold medalist Wladimir Klitschko made his professional debut an emphatic one, flooring Fabian Meza twice for an opening-round knockout. Meza (4-1-1) came out aggressively and looked to take the fight to Klitschko. The pair exchanged power shots, before a series of rights and lefts at 1:11 sent Meza stumbling backward, hard into the ropes, and down on his backside for a count of six. To his credit, Meza charged back in for more and was met with a combination capped with a massive right hook that sent him crashing to the mat, flat on his back, striking his head hard on the canvas. Without beginning a count, the referee waved an end to the bout and called for the doctors to enter the ring. Meza was eventually able to get to his feet and appeared to be decently recovered leaving the ring. Also on the show Vitali Klitschko, future world heavyweight champion made his pro debut against Tony Bradham (a replacement for originally scheduled David Willis). Klitschko knocked Bradham out in the 2nd round. Bradham (6-3 with 5 KOs) came in having lost his previous three bouts. Klitschko backed Bradham to the ropes and dropped him with a left and a right at 2:58 of Round 1. A left hand to the body sent Bradham down in Round 2. Grimacing in pain, he was unable to beat the referee's count of ten. Offered here is a very scarce, original, official program for this event.
This is an original, official program consisting of 20 pages complete including covers. Not scored or written on. Tight binding. Clean inside and out. No center crease. Small fold at upper left corner. Minor surface wear. In German. 8 1/4" x 11 3/4." Very scarce, the first we have offered.