I Hope Anthony Joshua Becomes No. 1 - Klitschko

Former heavyweight boxer, Vladimir Klitschko, has revealed his admiration for British boxer, Anthony Joshua, insisting he wants the Anglo-Nigerian to become the world’s no 1 but also admitting he must face the Deontay Wilder-Tyson Fury winner to achieve that status.

Joshua is expected to make the next defense of his WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight titles against Kubrat Pulev in June, while Wilder will be locked in a rematch with Fury in Las Vegas this weekend.

Klitschko, who retired in 2017 after an intriguing Wembley defeat to Joshua, believes the Olympic gold medallist has the all-round attributes to emerge as the division’s number one.

Speaking at the Laureus World Sports Awards, Klitschko said, “I wish that’s going to be Joshua because I think all around, he’s a superior athlete, Olympic champion, great guy for the sport and being an ambassador for the sport. I think he’s got it all.

“Obviously, no-one is perfect. Always some stronger and weaker sides, but I think he has the potential to be that one and that’s what I wish actually.

“How these cards are going to be mixed up and eventually we will have and will see the guy from those three, let’s just lean back, relax and observe.”

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The Ukrainian’s lengthy reign as a unified titleholder was ended by a points loss to Fury in 2015 and Klitschko thinks the Brit must find a way to nullify Wilder’s power if he is to become a two-time world champion.

“Either Wilder is going to knock Fury out, or Fury is going to win on points,” said Klitschko. “That’s how I see it. It could go 50-50. There’s no particular advantage or disadvantage to any of those guys.”