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Wladimir Klitschko Wants To Fight For a Title, Says Loeffler
NEWS
Manouk Akopyan
Manouk Akopyan
RingMagazine.com
Wladimir Klitschko Wants To Fight For a Title, Says Loeffler
Former heavyweight champion and Hall of Fame fighter Wladimir Klitschko made massive waves in December when he shared that he’d be open to a comeback fight after being away from boxing for the last eight years.

The announcement came days before Klitschko’s Ukrainian countryman Oleksandr Usyk beat Tyson Fury in a rematch.

“There are a lot of rumors these days about a possible comeback,” Klitschko wrote on X at the time. “At the moment, I'm not concerned with my return to boxing, but with the return of Russians to their country, outside Ukraine … And let me be clear: I've never stopped training. So if there was to be a fight, I'd be ready on the spot.”

Since Klitschko is not interested in facing The Ring, WBA, WBC, WBO, and IBO champion Usyk, the only other titleholder in the fold is IBF crown holder Daniel Dubois, who originally ignited the Klitschko comeback campaign as the most ideal opponent.

If Klitschko is indeed interested in a clash, all he has to do is make the call. Perhaps he’s waiting a bit longer for a shot at history.

Klitschko turns 49 on March 25 and he could want to break Bernard Hopkins’ record as the oldest fighter to win a world title, which Hopkins did at 49 years, 94 days. If Klitschko were to win a world title, he’d surpass George Foreman’s record as the oldest heavyweight champion (45) in boxing history.

“Dr. Steelhammer” has not fought since 2017 and retired with a record of 65 wins (53 KOs) and five losses.

Klitschko’s longtime promoter and career-long confidant Tom Loeffler offered updates on the situation.

“Wladimir is such a historic figure. I don't want to speculate for Wladimir, but my understanding is that he does want to fight for a title,” Loeffler told The Ring while promoting junior middleweight contender Callum Walsh’s fight on March 16.

“If anyone can make a comeback [at his age], it's Wladimir. He's in tremendous shape every time I see him, much like he was when he went on a historic 25-title defense run.

“There are so many great matchups for him. Rematches versus Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury. Dubois, that's a great fight … That's up to Wladimir, though. I'll let him speak for himself and I won't put any words in his mouth. I'd like to see him come back as a fan of boxing and a fan of Wladimir.

“I have so much respect for Wladimir and his brother Vitali and what they've accomplished in the ring and what they are facing now in Ukraine. They are like brothers to me. Hopefully, we can see a resolution soon there with this unnecessary war and invasion of their country.”

Manouk Akopyan is a lead writer for Ring Magazine. He can be reached on X and Instagram @ManoukAkopyan.

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