By Allan Fox: Former heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko (64-5, 53 KOs) worked out for the first time in six months, and he says he still has it. Wladimir, 41, didn’t say that he’s ready to make a comeback, but he isn’t ruling it out in the future.
Wladimir retired recently not long after his loss to Anthony Joshua. The British heavyweight wanted a rematch with him, but he declined. It was a tough decision for Wladimir, as he thought long and hard about the benefits of making a return. But after conversation with his family, Wladimir thought it was wise to step away from the game.
During his recent workout inside the ring, Wladimir said that he’s “still got it. It’s my first boxing workout in almost a half a year out and you know what, I feel I’ve still got it.”
As competitive as Wladimir was against Joshua last April, he more than still has it. Wladimir fought like he was on the same level as Joshua if not higher. It was Wladimir’s fight to win after he knocked Joshua down in round 6. All Wladimir had to do to win the fight was step on the gas from round 7 onward, and Joshua would have been hard-pressed to try and survive. That fight was just 7 months ago. Wladimir would have a very good chance of beating Joshua in a rematch and defeating his old sparring partners Joseph Parker and Deontay Wilder.
Joshua was one of Wladimir’s sparring partners. That shows you how long Wladimir has been around. The guys that are all champions now are his ex-sparring partners. Being able to spar a talented heavyweight like Wladimir was a huge benefit for these fighters.
“Maybe I’ll wait a couple of years and say I still got it” and return like George Foreman did into his mid-40’s,” said Wladimir.
George Foreman made a comeback at age 39, and he fought continually from that point on until he recaptured a world title at age 45 against Michael Moorer. If Wladimir stays out of the game too long, he’s going to have a very tough time trying to accomplish what Foreman did. Right now, it’s still possible for Wladimir to win another heavyweight title, because all the current champions are flawed. We saw that with Joshua last April. It’s clear that Joshua is no going to last long before he’s beaten. It’s the same with Wilder and Parker. Those champions are vulnerable. If Wladimir came back right now, he’s have an excellent chance of beating all 3 of them and taking their titles.
“Right now, I’m speaking of right now, I’m totally happy where I am, what I am and where I’m going,” said Wladimir to the BBC. “I’m 41 and maybe you know George Foreman made it at 45, maybe I’ll wait a couple of years and say I still got it and I feel like coming back. But, honestly speaking I wish to myself that I will never come back, I wish. I don’t know what should happen that I’m gonna come back, I don’t know what, because I’ve been there – I’ve done that – I’ve seen it, as a fighter I give it all,” said Wladimir.