Wladimir Klitschko won what he considered the most-important title – THE RING heavyweight championship — when he knocked out Ruslan Chagaev in June in Germany. Afterward, he was presented with a generic belt without his name engraved on it.

On Tuesday, during a news conference to promote Vitali Klitschko’s fight against Chris Arreola on Saturday in Los Angeles, he received the official version and couldn’t have been more pleased.

“I’m very excited,” he said. “I’ve been hunting for that belt for five years. The last guy to hold this championship belt, the heavyweight championship belt, was Vitali. So I’m very grateful to the THE RING magazine and to the fans who recognize me after all this time as the heavyweight champion.

“I’m so very excited.”

Vitali Klitschko, who had to give up the belt after he temporarily retired because of injuries in 2005, seemed to be equally happy that the belt was back in the family.

“THE RING belt is independent from (the sanctioning bodies),” he said. “It is from experts and boxing fans who (determine) the best in the world. I’m happy for Wladimir. I was the best in the world; now my brother Wladimir is exactly the same.

“You know what?” he joked. “There is always a competition between the brothers. Right now, the younger one is better.”

The Klitschko always dreamed of dominating the heavyweight divison. Now, they hold THE RING belt and three of the four major titles.

Michael Rosenthal can be reached at [email protected]