Wladimir Klitschko having doubts ahead of his upcoming heavyweight bonanza against Anthony Joshua. The fight takes place later this month at Wembley Stadium in front of 90,000 fight fans.
The sellout event is the biggest match of the year so far.
Many have made a lot about how the fight is so big that it could get to the younger, less experienced Joshua when it comes to his nerves and handling the big occasion.
But boxing in front of 90,000 fans on foreign soil will be a new experience for Klitschko too. A man who will not have fought in 18 months by the time he gets into the ring (Tyson Fury in November 2015).
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Ring rust is a real factor for any fighter. Let alone a boxer coming to the tail end of his career like Klitschko.
Then again, there is also the school of thought that Wladimir looks after himself so well year round that this might not be a factor.
Nevertheless – he’s having doubts himself as he expressed in front of multiple members of the media this week:
“I’m having questions even myself like. Listen, I’ve had the longest break in my 27th year since I start to box. I never had a pause for a year and a half. Being inactive and out of the ring for the last year and a half. Is it bad – did I get rust? I don’t know. I feel good. Will I have rust in the ring? We’ll see.”
The mental warfare ahead of this fight has been very light so far. Neither guy really has anything bad to say about the other and the fight was sold out a long time ago anyway.
Coming up to the week or two before the fight will be the interesting part though in this regard. Will the older, more experience lion in Klitschko start trying to mess with Joshua’s head closer to the fight?
Time will tell.
For the full interview check it out here via Fight Hub TV YouTube (hat tip) – Klitschko having doubts:
