Klitschko-Joshua Fight Put Off – For Now
By: Sean Crose
Well, chalk up another fight that won’t be happening…at least not anytime soon. According to ESPNs Dan Rafael, former heavyweight kingpin Wladimir Klitschko, who hasn’t fought since losing his heavyweight crown via upset to Tyson Fury in Germany last year, won’t be battling against British heavy hitter Anthony Joshua on December 10th as many had hoped. December 10th is pretty much right down the road, after all – which means there isn’t much time to prep for a fight of that magnitude anymore. On top of all that, Klitschko has hurt himself a bit in training. That means, in essence, that yet another bout lots of people want to see won’t be happening for the time being.
The good news, of course, is that the two camps are still apparently interested in facing off in the spring. That’s actually something for fans to get excited about, as both the Klitschko and Fury camps are run by people who seem to want to make the big fights happen (believe it or not, they appear to think it’s actually good for business). Still, there’s no denying that the past eleven months or so have been rough for Klitschko, the Ukrainian powerhouse who dominated the heavyweight division for ages.
First, Klitschko stunned a lot of people by looking horrible against Fury when they met last year. Then, a supposed rematch with Fury was postponed due to various injuries. What’s more, Klitschko’s team then threatened to take team Fury to court. Then, as if that weren’t all enough, with an October rematch finally on the horizon, Fury got caught with cocaine in his system, admitted to seriously emotional issues, and gave up the numerous heavyweight titles he had won from Klitschko last year. So much for that fall comeback.
It’s worth keeping in mind, of course, that Klitschko is no kid. This isn’t a twenty seven year old star with a long career still ahead of him. This is a forty year old man who is looking to be able to leave the sport which made him rich and famous at the top of his game. There were those who felt that Klitschko looked old in the Fury fight. The truth is that the man is indeed old, at least he is for a professional fighter – even a heavyweight. Simply put, time is no longer on Klitschko’s side.
Still, this remains a very experienced, very powerful fighter…one who’s also hungry to regain past glory. Add that to the fact that Kltischko seems to keep himself in shape when he’s not fighting and it’s no guarantee that a bout with Joshua would prove to be a walk in the park for the Englishman, who himself will still be fighting on the 10th of December. Indeed, many might still have Klitschko favored to win.