BoxRec

Former division ruler Wladimir Klitschko (64-5, 53 KOs) has been rewarded in defeat, as the World Boxing Council has appointed him as the #2 ranked challenger to current world champion Deontay Wilder (39-0, 38 KOs).

As of last month, Klitschko was not ranked in the top 15 under the WBC. He did hold a number 2 ranking under the WBA and a number 3 ranking under the IBF.



The man holding the WBC's top spot in the ranking, Bermane Stiverne, is the mandatory challenger to Wilder's title.

Wilder has already been ordered to defend his title against Stiverne. The fight will be a rematch of their January 2015 encounter, which saw Wilder dominate his way to a twelve round unanimous decision to capture the WBC belt from Stiverne.

Sitting at #3 under the WBC is Cuba's Luis Ortiz, who is already the WBA's mandatory challenger to Joshua, and the hard puncher is already pushing the issue under legal threat to get the British champion in the ring. Ortiz will likely have to wait, because even if Klitschko decides to take a pass on the rematch, then Joshua's handlers have already made it clear that IBF mandatory challenger Kubrat Pulev would be next.

http://www.BS.com/klitschko-la ... l91GX.dpuf

If Wilder comes out blazing, kind of like how Joshua did in rounds 5 and 11, then Wlad might have a few problems, not like Wilder always lands those sledgehammer like punches, but one if bound to land.

Wilder might rock Wlad, but just like Stiverne did, I think Wlad can take Wilder the distance.

In other words, they want Ortiz vs Wlad, while Wilder can fight an easy fight against Stiverne and then wait another 1,5 years.

Whoever wins between Ortiz/Wlad will eventually turn out to be a drugs cheat in about 2 years.

Think wlad should go after wilder and try and capture the one belt he doesn't have! Give wlad a good chance of the win

Wilder is wide wide open to Wlads straight punching. I don't see wilder dealing with them and he'll get stopped

ProMayhem wrote:Think wlad should go after wilder and try and capture the one belt he doesn't have! Give wlad a good chance of the win

I think Klitschko needs to win against Ortiz then first

Wlad would knock out Wilder

So we get Joshua-Pulev and Klitschko-Wilder and then the potential of the winners fighting. Not bad. All th time Fury can get in shape and after a fight or two he could fight for the WBO and then the winner of the other lot.

Boxing is so simple.

Wlad would ice Wilder inside 6.

The Wlad who boxed AJ would dismantle Wilder but would have to be very focused on not getting knock out late again.

How is Klitschko #2 and Joshua is not #1? Completely ridiculous.

Tarkus wrote:How is Klitschko #2 and Joshua is not #1? Completely ridiculous.

Orgs don't recognise other orgs world champions on their ratings system.

Ruthless-RKO wrote:

Tarkus wrote:How is Klitschko #2 and Joshua is not #1? Completely ridiculous.

Orgs don't recognise other orgs world champions on their ratings system.

You quite right, it slipped my mind. Then fair enough.