“There are a lot of rumors”
Comeback plans? Klitschko rows back
Updated 12/19/2024 – 8:38 p.mReading time: 2 minutes
A comeback by Wladimir Klitschko in boxing seems realistic. But his possible opponent is still questionable.
Former world champion Wladimir Klitschko has commented on speculation about a return to the boxing ring and put reports of an imminent comeback into perspective.
“These days there are a lot of rumors about a possible comeback. At the moment it’s not about my return to boxing, but about the return of the Russians to their country, outside of Ukraine,” wrote Klitschko on Thursday evening on Former world number one took a selfie with his compatriot Alexander Usyk, who will take part in a rematch against Briton Tyson Fury in Saudi Arabia on Saturday (11 p.m./pay-per-view on DAZN).
But Klitschko didn’t want to completely rule out a comeback. He never stopped training: “So IF there was a fight, I would be ready immediately. But this weekend I will only watch a fight with a talented Ukrainian.”
Klitschko’s return had previously been reported in the media as perfect. There was also speculation about a fight on February 22nd against the British IBF world champion Daniel Dubois. The reason for this was an interview by Klitschko with the Münchner Abendzeitung, in which Klitschko said, among other things: “I am ready to take on the next challenge.”
Saudi businessman Turki Al-Sheikh, currently the most powerful man in boxing, is very interested in a Klitschko comeback. In the run-up to the mega-fight between Fury and Usyk in Riyadh, he said he wanted Klitschko to be the opponent for the winner. It is questionable whether this will happen.
A duel with Fury would be a chance for revenge for Klitschko; in November 2015 he lost the three world championship belts of the IBF, IBO and WBO associations against the Brit in Düsseldorf. Should Klitschko fight for a world title, he would also have the opportunity to replace George Foreman as the oldest heavyweight champion. Klitschko has not been in the ring since 2017.