Former world heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko feels his old rival Anthony Joshua can bounce back from last weekend’s defeat to Oleksandr Usyk to win another world heavyweight title.
Ukrainian Usyk overcame a rally from Joshua in the middle rounds to handily outpoint the Watford man in a masterful show of technique and tenacity at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday.
But Klitschko believes hope remains for Joshua, having rebounded himself from stoppage losses in title fights against Corrie Sanders and Lamon Brewster before regrouping to win back the heavyweight crown and reel off 18 successful defences.
Klitschko, who lost to Joshua in his farewell fight in April 2017, believes all hope is not lost for the Briton whilst lauding his fellow countryman Usyk.
“We have seen AJ challenged,” Klitschko told Sky Sports. “I remember my time. I lost two fights within [13 months].
“To bounce back? To eventually become one of the longest reigning champions? AJ can still have his time, absolutely. It is all about how to overcome the challenge.
“Usyk made history. Since 2012, I watched Usyk winning his gold and I watched AJ winning his gold [at the London Olympics]. Usyk has been undefeated for such a long time, winning all the titles as a cruiserweight and now with the heavyweights. This man is something special.”