Former world heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko has been in talks over a potential IBF World Heavyweight Title challenge against Daniel Dubois. However, this fight has now been abandoned with Klitschko now 48-years-old and having not fought since the Anthony Joshua bout at Wembley Stadium back in 2017.
Wladimir Klitschko vs Daniel Dubois Talks Abandoned For Potential Fight Next Year
In an unusual turn of events, it has been revealed that former dominant world heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko had been ‘in talks’ with Daniel Dubois over a fight for the IBF World Heavyweight Title.
Dubois successfully defended his belt against Anthony Joshua back in September at Wembley Stadium, which is also the venue of Wladimir Klitschko’s last fight. Ironically, this too was against ‘AJ’, with the Brit stopping the Ukrainian in Round 11 of their epic battle.
That fight was over seven years ago now, but the man himself Wladimir Klitschko has revealed that he was in talks over a potential return to the ring. It was indeed a potential fight with Daniel Dubois for his IBF World Heavyweight Title, but the talks have now broken down and been abandoned.
The vast majority of boxing fans would not have been happy at this fight at all. Dubois is in his prime right now, and fighting a 48-year-old who hasn’t competed in over seven years and lost his last two fights to Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua respectively most definitely wouldn’t have been an easy sell.
For now, it looks like Daniel Dubois vs Wladimir Klitschko most definitely won’t be happening in 2025. But it does beg the question, will we see ‘Dr Steelhammer’ back in the boxing ring once again?
‼️ Wladimir Klitschko has reportedly been in talks to potentially return to the ring and challenge Daniel Dubois for his IBF heavyweight world title next, but this idea has now been abandoned. 48-year-old would have broken George Foreman’s record as oldest heavyweight world…
— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) November 28, 2024
Will Wladimir Klitschko Return To The Boxing Ring In 2025?
With talk of this Daniel Dubois fight, fans are now speculating whether a ring return could be on for Wladimir Klitschko in 2025. Whether or not this happens remains to be seen, but today’s news has certainly sparked debate at least.
Had the Klitschko vs Dubois fight have gone ahead for example, if the Ukrainian would have won he would have broken George Foreman’s record as the oldest heavyweight world champion.
However, it seems unlikely the former two-time world heavyweight king will ever challenge for world honours again. Yes, he might return to the ring in the future, perhaps in a legends match or an exhibition, but you can say will near certainty that Wladimir Klitschko will not challenge for any version of the world heavyweight titles ever again.
He is 48-years-old now, and seems to be a busy man in his life as a politician and respected figure in his home country of Ukraine. He should leave the fighting to his countryman Oleksandr Usyk, the undisputed world heavyweight champion. Period.
Be sure to claim the various boxing betting offers and free bet deals available on the SportsCasting site ahead of Daniel Dubois’ next fight.