Klitschko: It’s either too early for Joshua - or too late for me

Veteran Wladimir Klitschko has been pretty realistic regarding his chances of dethroning solid heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua on the back of the Ukrainian's enforced 17-month absence from the ring. The soon-to-be 41 year-old will head to Wembley Stadium on April 29 without a win in two years after losing his position as the king of the top division against Tyson Fury in Dusseldorf at the back end of 2015.

During the build-up, Klitschko has outlined his ‘obsession’ with winning back the titles but knows the man in front of him will not be a pushover after going through his career so far with a 100% KO ratio.

“I’m fighting a man that I was, is and will be a fan of since I watched Anthony Joshua win his Olympic Gold Medal in 2012. He was my sparring partner in 2014 when I trained for Kubrat Pulev,” pointed out Klitschko.

“I believe this man has a lot of skills, maybe yes, maybe not he will be the biggest star in boxing. I know there are plans to fight Wilder after me, it’s good to be young and ambitions, but I believe this fight has a lot of questions. Is it too early for him, too late for me?”

“All those questions will be answered on April 29, do I still got it or is it too late?

“I’m looking forward to his challenge, I have my goal to become three-time world champion and I’m obsessed with it,” he added.

‘Dr. Steelhammer’ could be staring at the end of his career should Joshua maintain his perfect record of stoppages as a rematch with Fury has now collapsed due to the Briton taking an extended break from boxing.