LONDON – Wladimir Klitschko has told IBF world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua defeat is “nothing to be scared of” at a packed news conference ahead of their sell-out title fight at Wembley Stadium on Saturday.
Ukrainian Klitschko, 41, said he was obsessed with reclaiming the heavyweight titles he lost against Britain’s Tyson Fury in November 2015 – his first defeat in 11 years.
Britain’s Joshua, making his third defence of the IBF title he won against American Charles Martin last April, looked nervous at Sky TV headquarters where renowned American MC Michael Buffer introduced the fighters.
Asked if he had thought about what a first professional defeat would feel like after 18 straight knockouts, the 27-year-old Joshua looked nonplussed and was helped out by Klitschko who was clearly more used to the big fight build-ups.
“I will help you. I’ve been there and done that. I shook it off and came back stronger,” Klitschko, like Joshua a former Olympic champion, said. “It’s nothing to be scared about.”
There was none of the bad feeling and insults that marked the build-up to his fight with Fury – rather a polite respect from both men and their entourages.
Instead Klitschko, dressed in a grey tracksuit, went on a charm offensive, describing Britain as boxing’s mecca and saying he and Joshua were polishing the sport’s reputation.
“I’m going to fight a guy whose age is exactly the number of how long I have been in boxing – 27 years. Can you imagine that?” Klitschko, who has won 64 of his 68 fights, said.
“Is it a degradation that I’m a challenger and an underdog in this fight? I don’t think so. I think it’s a great opportunity. I feel young, hungry, humble and totally obsessed with my goal to raise my hands again as the winner.”
Talk The Talk & Walk The Walk #PressConference🎤 pic.twitter.com/Jte7zfuVTV
— Anthony Joshua (@anthonyfjoshua) April 27, 2017
London-born Joshua, like Klitschko, standing at 1.98 metres, described tomorrow’s fight as a “stepping stone to greatness”.
“I win. It’s not complicated. This isn’t rocket science – this is just a fight,” said Joshua, who held an open workout, as did Klitschko, at Wembley Arena on Wednesday.
Klitschko jokingly referred to one report that he had an eye socket injury as “fake news” and drew applause when he said he had made a video recording of himself predicting the outcome which he would keep on a USB stick sealed in his robe before it is auctioned off to raise money for his foundation. “I’m confident enough to put it on video which I did last week,” he said.
Asked about his opponent’s relative inexperience, Klitschko said: “He couldn’t answer that question about losing because he’s never been there. It’s an amazing opportunity we have.”
Speaking to Sky Sports later, a more relaxed Joshua laughed off Klitschko’s USB stick as “mind games”. “I have no fear, I know what I’m about,” Joshua, who has never gone 12 rounds, said. “I’m on a journey. I have a military mindset. Win, defend, go again.”
Saturday's fight, in which the vacant WBA belt is also up for grabs, will see the biggest crowd for a boxing match in Britain since 1939 when 90000 watched Len Harvey take on Jock McAvoy at London’s White City.
Wladimir Klitschko holds a USB stick with his prediction during the press conference. Photo: Reuters / Andrew Couldridge