Wladimir Klitschko Spars With Parker, Salamov, Ugonoh

By Alexey Sukachev

A set of Wladimir Klitschko’s sparring partners have been revealed by several Ukrainian sources. The dominant heavyweight champion (63-3, 53 KOs), who holds the WBA Super, WBO, IBF and IBO championships, fights undefeated American challenger Bryant Jennings (19-0, 10 KOs) on April 25 in New York City, New York.

According to those, Klitschko, who turns 39 exactly one month before the fight, will take part in sparring sessions with New Zealand heavyweight prospect Joseph Parker (13-0, 11 KOs), Poland-based Nigerian Izuagbe Ugonoh (11-0, 9 KOs), undefeated Russian light heavyweight Umar Salamov (12-0, 10 KOs) and once-defeated Georgian Yago Kiladze (22-1, 15 KOs). Salamov joins the squad on March 29.

Meanwhile in other Wladimir’s news, the Ukrainian champion revealed he is ready for a potential draft and being enlisted as a recruit during the ongoing mobilization in Ukrainian army.

“As of yet I haven’t received any notification, but if I [get notification that I'm drafted] I’ll obey the laws of my homeland," said Klitschko. “However, I understand that I will be much more effective as a community leader while my draft will bring huge attention."