Heavyweight: Klitschko in return bid, targets Joshua, Fury


Wladimir Klitschko has held talks over a return to the ring – with the former world heavyweight champion targeting rematches against both Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury.

The 42-year-old hung up his gloves following defeat by Joshua in a Wembley blockbuster back in April 2017.

In recent weeks he has been linked with an April showdown against Dillian Whyte, only for Klitschko to pour cold water on talk of a comeback by labelling reports ‘fake news’ and claiming ‘such speculation was an early April fool’s day joke’.

But, according to Ring Magazine, Klitschko has discussed a three-fight deal with streaming service DAZN.

The first fight would see the Ukrainian, who turns 43 in March, return against a lesser opponent before a rematch with Tyson Fury – who in November 2015 ended his long reign as unified world champion.

Ring claim the final fight of the proposed deal would see him face Anthony Joshua for a second time, more than two years after they shared one of the best heavyweight fights of recent times.

Should the three-fight deal be signed, it’s claimed Klitschko would join Cristiano Ronaldo as a global ambassador for DAZN.

In turn, the streaming service would contribute to UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization), a charity Wladimir and his brother Vitali Klitschko work with.

The Ukrainian, 42, originally retired after opting against taking a rematch against Joshua. Their Wembley showdown, which AJ won via an 11th-round stoppage, was Klitschko’s second consecutive defeat following a decade in charge of the division. 

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