Former 2-time world heavyweight world champion, ‘Dr. Steelhammer’ Wladimir Klitschko (64-5, 53 KO) has shared his assertion that the man who conquered him in April 2017 and ended the Ukranian’s monumental career in Anthony Joshua can go on to unify the world heavyweight titles.
Anthony Joshua first won the IBF version of the world title against Charles Martin in April 2016 and he has successfully made four defences of that title. Joshua has since improved his perfect record to 20-0 with 20 knockouts.
Joshua also picked up the IBO and WBA (Super) world heavyweight titles during his monumental and memorable encounter against Klitschko.
“Been there, done that” @Klitschko says he’s happy in retirement and @anthonyjoshua is “hands-down the world’s best heavyweight” #websummitpic.twitter.com/w5DybczdpO
— Ben Gallop (@BenGallop) November 7, 2017
Speaking to The Sun, Klitschko once again reflected on the final bout of his decorated career with Joshua. ‘Dr. Steelhammer’ shared that he believes the loss to Joshua allowed him to pass the torch on to the next era of heavyweight boxing.
“I have passed the torch to the younger lion,” Wladimir begun.
“I wish, from the bottom of my heart, he continues to carry this torch for a long time and is very successful just like I was.
“Joshua is capable of unifying the division, absolutely.”
Raising hundreds of thousands last night to help fight against the poaching of African Elephants & Rhinos @Klitschkopic.twitter.com/asi1BJggfB
— Chris Eubank Jr (@ChrisEubankJr) December 14, 2017
Furthermore, Klitschko added that he more success and victories Joshua can attain, the better for his legacy because it makes it look as though the man who did beat him is the number one fighter in the heavyweight division.
Klitschko said: “I’d say the more Joshua shines, the better I shine. If I lost, I want to make sure I lost to the better man.
Lastly, ‘Dr. Steelhammer’ assessed the defeat to Anthony Joshhua and claimed the all-action affair was ‘fun’ for everybody involved.
Klitschko also stressed that the spectacle doesn’t feel like a typical defeat because of the respect he is now able to command from the fans around the globe.
“It was an incredible fight. We both had fun, the fans had fun. It was win-win for all of us.
“It doesn’t feel like a loss. I won a lot of respect that I never had, even when I won my world titles.
“My ego wanted to win. But to experience what I did, I wouldn’t change the end result. It opened doors and made my sporting life more colourful,” Klitschko concluded.
If you don’t love it, leave it. Failure is painful, but this pain is a lesson – a lesson and also fear leaving your body. pic.twitter.com/aSWFLRTesJ
— Klitschko (@Klitschko) November 14, 2017
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