Former long-reigning world heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko could return to the boxing ring at the age of 47, attempting to break George Foreman’s record as the oldest heavyweight champion of all time.
Wladimir Klitschko Hints At Boxing Return Age 48
Ever since retiring from professional boxing in 2017, former world heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko has talked about a potential return to the ring.
The great Ukrainian retired after back-to-back defeats to Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua, and hasn’t fought in well over seven years now. That being said, Klitschko has remained in great shape, and insists that he has continued to train day in, day out.
Now, the heavyweight legend and dominant force of over a decade could finally return to the professional ring. Klitschko has touted a comeback continuously, now eight years on from last fight against ‘AJ‘ at Wembley Stadium back in 2017.
At 48-years-old, the main reason for a return to the ring for Klitschko is to break George Foreman’s record as the oldest world heavyweight champion in history.
Foreman, one of the greatest heavyweights of all time, won the heavyweight championship at 45 years and 360 days old in his shock victory over Michael Moorer in November 1994.
In an interview seven years ago, it is clear that Klitschko’s desire to break Foreman’s record and set a new benchmark has always been a priority:
“If I can become a 45-year-old, a 46-year-old, and if I’ve still got it. If I still have sparks in my stomach, I would think that I could break the record and become the oldest heavyweight champion at this extraordinary moment.
“I mean, obviously, now there is only one guy, George Foreman. But by then, I’ll think about it,” he told Fox Sports’ Fair Game.
Klitschko Wants To Break George Foreman’s Record As Oldest World Heavyweight Champion
Now, rumours of Wladimir Klitschko’s return to the ring have reignited. The former world heavyweight champion was in Riyadh to support his fellow countryman Oleksandr Usyk in his rematch with Tyson Fury on December 21st.
Klitschko was asked about a potential return to action on more than one occasions. Although the 48-year-old insisted he was there to support Usyk, he didn’t totally shut down rumours of a return to the ring.
“There are a lot of rumours these days about a possible comeback. At the moment, I’m not concerned with my return to boxing but with the return of Russians to their country outside Ukraine. And let me be clear: I’ve never stopped training. So, I’d be ready on the spot if there were to be a fight,” said Klitschko during a fight week interview.
If Klitschko was to return in 2025, he would break George Foreman’s record by three years, setting a new benchmark for longevity in the heavyweight division. This isn’t totally beyond the realms of possibility either, if the world title belts becoming fragmented once again.
If the belts were to become vacant, Wladimir Klitschko could be in line for a shot, with the help of His Excellency Turki Alalshikh. Alalshikh has vowed to help the formidable Ukrainian with his wish to fight for a world heavyweight title just once more, so watch this space.
Klitschko could even get his wish in a rematch with Tyson Fury, should Oleksandr Usyk vacate a belt for his fellow countryman to fight for. A rematch with Fury or Joshua would possibly appeal to Klitschko, who would be seeking revenge against both British heavyweights.
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