by David P. Greisman
Few people, if anyone, would’ve predicted in 2003 and 2004 that Wladimir Klitschko would still be fighting in 2015 and would be back on top of the sport and dominating all who challenge him.
He is 39 years old now, more than a decade removed from deflating stoppage losses to Corrie Sanders and Lamon Brewster, and has no immediate plans for retiring.
“I’ve learned to make decisions on how long I go to fight. It’s going from fight to fight. As long as I’m healthy, and as long as I have great motivation, which I, knock on wood, do have, I will continue,” Klitschko said after scoring a unanimous decision over the previously undefeated Bryant Jennings on Saturday night at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
“I don’t feel my age. In this case, I’ve heard it a lot, but age is just a number. It depends on your lifestyle. I just talked to [50-year-old former light heavyweight titleholder] Bernard Hopkins and asked him this question: ‘What’s the secret? Do you sleep in the fridge? How do you do it? Because you’re an alien, with 49 and being so top fit.’ He said, ‘It’s just lifestyle, and I’ve been not burning myself when I was younger age.’
“Healthy lifestyle obviously gives you good health and motivation,” Klitschko said. “I do have healthy lifestyle. I’m enjoying performing and getting ready. I will continue that as long as I can.”
Klitschko moved to 64-3 with 53 KOs with the victory over Jennings. He has now won 22 in a row, defending one of his world titles successfully 18 times. He became the new lineal heavyweight champion in the eyes of many with his 2009 victory over Ruslan Chagaev. He’s won 11 more times since then, and no one he’s faced has given any reason to think seriously about hanging up his gloves for good.
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