BoxRec

"Wladimir Klitschko ‘obsessed’ with becoming world champion again and praises Anthony Joshua"

The Ukrainian last fought two years ago today when he was knocked out by Joshua in the eleventh round

Wladimir Klitschko has given the clearest hint yet that he intends to return to boxing ring, claiming that he is “obsessed” with the idea of becoming a world champion again.

The Ukrainian, who last fought two years ago today when he was stopped by Anthony Joshua in the eleventh round of their heavyweight title fight, has been consistently linked with a return to the sport.

Streaming service DAZN, who are aligned with Joshua in America, have offered Klitschko a lucrative comeback deal which is still being considered by the Ukrainian’s team.

Speaking on social media, Klitschko said: “Although, I didn’t win the titles on April 29th 2017, for me, it was one of my best days in my long boxing career (so far).

“Thanks @anthonyfjoshua for being the perfect opponent and part of my obsession to become a champion again!”

Klitschko was also believed to be considering a fight against Dillian Whyte earlier this year, but then publicly dismissed those rumours when negotiations broke down.

Thoughts?

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I can see him wanting in on everything. In particular, Tyson Fury. I don't think he wants any part of Wilder. Joshua, maybe, because he's still the same exact guy who Klitschko fought. He's not really progressed.

Sad.

He's 43. And a pretty smart guy.

Wlad can do more than box.

He doesn't need to go back and be humiliated in the ring, or even worse.

Plenty times against Joshua, he failed to pull the trigger when the opportunity arose. Two years of decay later, it would only be worse.

Hanging on to your boxing past and refusing to see reality is something for fighters who have little else in life to fall back on.

But Klitschko can easily busy himself in other pursuits. He needs to let go of his fruitless obsession before he foolishly submits and then leaves boxing the same sad way as so many other aging, ego driven greats.

I say go for it! Stay young. Rage against the dying of the light! Other far lesser heavies were successful into their forties.

He's just toying, he won't be back.

jamesmcdonnell wrote: ↑29 Apr 2019, 15:33 He's just toying, he won't be back.

Probably. But what he has going for him is he always stays in top shape, so it's possible, not silly sounding like it would be from someone who has gone to fat.

All this because he used the phrase "So Far."

He's referring to his obsession to becoming a champion again, at the time of the Joshua fight, not any lingering or rekindled obsession today.

The 'so far' is a tease, nothing more.

Deleted_Scenes wrote: ↑29 Apr 2019, 17:11 He's referring to his obsession to becoming a champion again, at the time of the Joshua fight, not any lingering or rekindled obsession today.

The 'so far' is a tease, nothing more.

Absolutely agree. The tweet got so much attention because Wlad said "so far." Many took it as a "hint" that he wasn't done. Frankly I've grown tired of his April fools pranks and constant teases of a return. I don't see it happening and if it actually occurs, I don't see him being successful.

He's been "teasing" for more than a year now.

Last year he had his April Fool's joke.

Klitschko has been at it for too long just to be playing games.

He never came across as the frivolous type.

Klitschko wants to return. He's apparently mulling the offers and the terms.

He'd be stupid to come back. And he's supposed to be one of the clever ones.

Ukrainians have been obsessed with comedy lately.

ironbeard wrote: ↑29 Apr 2019, 18:51 Ukrainians have been obsessed with comedy lately.

You mean like, Did ya hear the one about the Russian division massing on our border?

oogiebe wrote: ↑29 Apr 2019, 18:52 You mean like, Did ya hear the one about the Russian division massing on our border?

. . . Let’s vote the comedian in as president by an avalanche to deal with it.

He hasn’t found something else to do like his brother has.

ironbeard wrote: ↑29 Apr 2019, 19:17 . . . Let’s vote the comedian in as president by an avalanche to deal with it.

i think he'll make a comeback, which will probably include s deal to make his comeback into a movie/documentary.

ldlamb wrote: ↑29 Apr 2019, 19:19 He hasn’t found something else to do like his brother has.

He's raising his daughter, since Hayden apparently doesn't want to bother.

That's a full time job.

SenorPipino wrote: ↑29 Apr 2019, 20:07 He's raising his daughter, since Hayden apparently doesn't want to bother.

That's a full time job.

That looked like such a strange mismatch to me - giant Wladimir from the Ukraine with a tiny 5 foot tall neurotic New York girl!

Deleted_Scenes wrote: ↑29 Apr 2019, 17:11 He's referring to his obsession to becoming a champion again, at the time of the Joshua fight, not any lingering or rekindled obsession today.

The 'so far' is a tease, nothing more.

That's what I thought as I read it. He misses being the man and these sporadic public comments about a return are his way of still feeling relevant. In my opinion obviously,

ewenhay wrote: ↑29 Apr 2019, 17:28 He'd be stupid to come back. And he's supposed to be one of the clever ones.

the "supposed to be the clever ones" got me - sadly writing books doesn't do it for big Wlad!

It seems like he's struggling with not being in the limelight. Lewis teased it for years after he retired, it was tedious.