Klitschko To Make Post Ukrainian War Return To Boxing

Wladimir Klitschko has suggested he could make a sensational return to professional boxing but only when the war in Ukraine is over and there is no Russian threat, BSNSports.com.ng gathered.

The 46-year-old who was world heavyweight champion for 11 years retired in August 2017 after his defeat to Anthony Joshua at Wembley earlier that year.

The Ukrainian has stayed out of the ring in the years since, and after Russia invaded his homeland in February, he joined the Kiev Territorial Defense in response to Vladimir Putin’s attack.

But in an interview with the German outlet BILD following Tyson Fury’s win over Dillian Whyte on Saturday night, Klitschko whose brother Vitali is also a former world champion and now mayor of Kiev – says he has not ruled out putting his gloves back on.

‘I have also learned that you should not forget life despite the war. Sports are part of my life. I’m really happy that Tyson Fury won,” he said.

“Who knows, I don’t want to promise anything big here, but if I’m in good shape and especially that the war in Ukraine will end soon, and that our borders exist without an invasion from Russia, who knows in the end? ‘

Klitschko added that he could begin his “dream” of breaking George Foreman’s record as the oldest world heavyweight champion in history.

“If I’m in good shape, who knows, maybe I’ll have the dream of breaking George Foreman’s record,” he added.

“That motivates me to get up and exercise every day. Everyone has their own motivation.

“I don’t want to break a jaw, I want to break a record. I said that before the war. And during the war it’s about peace in Ukraine and when peace comes, we’ll talk about it again.’

Klitschko’s 11-year reign as world champion was ended by Fury in November 2015 when The Gypsy King shocked the world by beating ‘Dr Steelhammer’ by a unanimous points decision in Germany.

A rematch between the pair failed to materialize and Klitschko hung up his gloves after a memorable back-and-forth showdown with Joshua in London.

Klitschko, along with his brother Vitali, has spoken out on news channels around the world about the war in Ukraine, and last week called for “increased international pressure on Putin’s regime.”