Wladimir Klitschko has given us a lot during his 20 years a prize-fighter, as his record of 25-3 in heavyweight championship fights attests.
But he hasn’t fought since losing his three belts to Tyson Fury in late 2015. When Klitschko challenges Anthony Joshua of England for his title April 29 at Wembley Stadium in London, Klitschko will have been out of the ring for 17 months. He will also have turned 41 by then — his birthday is March 25.
Is this going to be it for Klitschko? Even he wants to know.
“I believe this man has a lot of skills,” Klitschko said of Joshua. “Maybe yes, maybe not he will be the biggest star in boxing. I know there are plans to fight (Deontay) Wilder after me. It’s good to be young and ambitious, but I believe this fight has a lot of questions. Is it too early for him, too late for me?”
For someone like Klitschko, who has meant so much to the game with his talent and class, it can’t be easy knowing this wonderful road he’s traveled could be nearing an end.
Yet, it says a lot about him that he’s willing to fight someone of Joshua’s skill. While Klitschko is past 40, Joshua is a mere lad of 27. During a news conference this week in New York City, Klitschko put that into perspective when he recalled a fight he had against David Bostice at Madison Square Garden in 2000, exactly 17 years before this fight with Joshua.
“I first fought here in 2000 on the undercard of Lennox Lewis vs. Michael Grant,” Klitschko said. “Anthony (Joshua) was 10. It’s crazy to think about time and how fast it runs. When I fought Samuel Peter (in 2005), his promoter called me ‘dead man walking.’ But that man kept walking for a very long time.”
Joshua is more than legitimate. He’s a relentless and highly skilled fighter who has knocked out all 18 of his opponents. He has five first-round knockouts, eight in the second round.
Joshua also has a good amateur pedigree, as he won the gold medal at super heavyweight in the 2012 London Games. That’s not to mention that at 6-foot-6, he can look Klitschko in the eyes.
“I’m fighting a man that I was, is and will be a fan of since I watched Anthony Joshua win his Olympic Gold Medal in 2012,” Klitschko said. “He was my sparring partner in 2014 when I trained for Kubrat Pulev.”
A sellout crowd of 90,000 is expected for this fight. Most of the deafening cheers figure to be for Joshua, who is embracing the idea of putting on a show.
“I’m a man who likes to perform and entertain, and that’s always been there,” he said. “I’ve always wanted to take on the best.”
Even though Klitschko will be 41 by fight night, he will still be the best opponent Joshua has faced. He, too, wants to have Klitschko’s queries answered.
“The questions are correct,” Joshua said. “Is it too soon? Have my opponents prepared me for this? God would never put me in a position I couldn’t handle, fighting Wladimir Klitschko in front of 90,000 people.”
If Klitschko (64-4, 53 KOs) wins this fight, he should retire and move on with the rest of his life. But the fighter in him will likely want to stay around for at least one more fight. We’re hopeful that would be with the 31-year-old Wilder, another champion who is 37-0 with 36 knockouts.
What a way to go out — back to back wins over young, hard-hitting champions.
HBO and Showtime are vying for the rights to this event.
Santa Cruz-Frampton trilogy?
Now that we’ve had two close fights between Leo Santa Cruz and Carl Frampton, we’d love to see the trilogy. The fighters would, too. But Frampton wants the third one to be in his native Belfast, Northern Ireland.
“Hopefully, we can do it again,” Frampton said after losing his featherweight belt to Santa Cruz via majority decision this past Saturday at MGM Grand in Las Vegas. “I feel like I’ve come to the States twice now and Leo has said that he would do it in Belfast the third time. I hope he’s a man of his word.
“He can come and stay at my house, if he wants, and we can get it on for a third time.”
The last part of that drew laughter in the post-fight news conference. But Santa Cruz was serious when contemplating the rubber match in Frampton’s homeland.
“Like I say, I’m a man of my word,” said Santa Cruz, of Lincoln Heights. “A true champion will go anywhere because once we’re up in the ring, it’s only me and Carl Frampton.”
Frampton first took Santa Cruz’s title via majority decision in July at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
ETC
Speaking of Wilder, he’ll defend his title against Gerald Washington (18-0-1, 12 KOs) of San Jose on Feb. 25 at Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Ala. (on Fox). Washington played football at USC. Now 34, Washington made his pro debut at 30. … The fight between junior middleweights Miguel Cotto and James Kirkland slated for Feb. 25 in Frisco, Texas, has been canceled because Kirkland has a fractured nose, Roc Nation announced Thursday.
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