Before pledging to defend his country against the Russian invasion, Wladimir Klitschko had his eye on a return to the boxing ring.
The former two-time world heavyweight champion competed professionally from 1996 to 2017. During that time, he won a record 25 title fights and retired with 64 wins from 69.
In an interview with Piers Morgan Uncensored In May, the Ukrainian legend admitted that, despite a long and successful career, there were times when he was tempted to return to boxing.
“And to be honest, I thought I should take Tyson Fury and tweet, ‘Last dance?’ Since he wanted to retire and we were supposed to have this rematch, I thought about it. I didn’t do it because my mind was in a completely different world. But I really thought I should send this, I should tweet this, ‘Last dance?’”
However, the former champion’s motivation is not just an attempt to avenge his loss to Fury. He’s got another heavyweight record he wants to break.
“It was just a pre-war dream. I have a dream to be the oldest heavyweight champion in the world. And not to break jaws in the ring, but to break records.”
“Let’s break the record to be the oldest heavyweight champion since George Foreman. So I was 45, now I’m 46 and that’s exactly the moment, that’s the plan. But we’re talking about something that happened before and now there’s a big question mark – what will happen to war?”
George Foreman set a record when he regained the heavyweight belt at the age of 45 against Michael Moorer. Klitschko actually qualifies – quantitatively at least – to do even better, although hot times in his country forced him to cancel his plans.
Although that talk was back in the summer, boxing promoter and fellow Ukrainian, Alex Krassyuk, has now told fans The possibility of a return is not ruled out as Klitschko has some unfinished business left.
“He has achieved everything in boxing, but he has only one unfinished business, only one, and that is Tyson Fury. He is in good condition and he is very healthy and like a predator he is waiting for his food. I think it’s possible, I think there’s a chance he’ll come back.”
Of course, sadly Klitschko’s plans depend not only on his fitness or desires, but also on the circumstances of his country. He continued to stand by his brother and the Mayor of Kiev, Vitali, as Russia invaded Ukraine.
