By Elliot Foster
Wladimir Klitschko has outlined his desire to once again be recognised as the best.
The 40-year-old Ukrainian will aim to become a three-time world champion on April 29 when he faces Anthony Joshua, the IBF champion, for his crown at Wembley Stadium, exclusively live on Sky Sports Box Office in the UK.
Klitschko (64-4, 53 KOs) has been out of action since November, 2015 when he was outpointed unanimously by Tyson Fury in Düsseldorf, Germany.
But the Olympic champion has been handed the chance to reclaim his spot at the top table of heavyweight boxing when he faces Joshua (18-0 with all early) in the new year.
The vacant WBA Super and vacant IBO crowns will be at stake, while promoter Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing expects the Ring Magazine bauble to also be up for grabs when he attempts to cram 90,000 people into the national stadium.
“I’m obsessed with becoming a three-time world champion,” Klitschko said at Wednesday’s kick-off press conference at the venue.
“I have a five-step plan to winning this fight, but I feel like the break I’ve had out of the ring will have done me good, even though I’ll be 41 by the time I get in the ring on the night.
“My motivation is as high as the sky going into this fight.”
Klitschko, who confirmed that his brother Vitali –– the current Mayor of Kiev –– will be ringside while also revealing that “nothing is going to be changed” in his training team in the build-up to the fight, believes he is in the box seat in this £40million-plus showdown, which was announced on Saturday night after Joshua’s three-round destruction of Eric Molina at Manchester Arena.
“This is a signature fight for Anthony Joshua and myself and I’m looking forward to it,” he continued. “When I win this fight, I will help Anthony to come back, but if Anthony wins this fight I will be the first to congratulate him.
“I’m really glad and happy to be here, Wembley Stadium is a famous place, the most famous stadium in the world, and we have the chance to perform here.”
