Wladimir Klitschko Open to Anthony Joshua Fight, Hails Brit's Potential

Understated, amicable and mild-mannered, it’s rare to see Wladimir Klitschko get too excited outside of a boxing ring. But when the iconic heavyweight was asked about rising star Anthony Joshua, he was effusive in his praise.

The British heavyweight has swatted aside 13 opponents with a swagger since turning professional, with every win coming inside the scheduled distance. When assessing his talent, Klitschko pulled no punches, per BBC Radio (h/t Martin Domin of the Mail Online):

"

I've faced a lot of athletes and opponents and in the last 25 years there is one person who has the potential to become a really big star in boxing.

Not only inside the ring but that person, and I'm talking about Anthony Joshua, has qualities that not many guys have had.

Either they had good skills but not the strength, or they had strength but not the skills. Or they were good inside the ring but not outside because their life outside messed them up and that reflected on their sporting career.

"

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It’s no surprise that Klitschko sees something extraordinarily bright in Joshua, as the boxing cognoscenti have almost unanimously tipped the Brit to go to the very top of the sport.

As noted by Dan Rafael of ESPN in the wake of another lopsided victory for the 25-year-old, this time beating Kevin Johnson with a second-round stoppage in May, Joshua is breaking new ground with some of his early displays:

Granted, he still has a long way to go before he can tackle the elite men in the division. But, as noted by Domin’s piece, the two did spar together a year ago, meaning the unified heavyweight world champion knows firsthand what it’s like to go toe-to-toe with the vibrant Brit.

Klitschko posted the following picture of the pair on social media after the session last August:

The 39-year-old Ukrainian currently has his focus on Tyson Fury, with the pair scheduled to meet in Dusseldorf in October, while Joshua’s next bout will be for the Commonwealth Heavyweight title, against Gary Cornish in September. But what about an eventual meeting between the two for real?

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“I think he needs to improve and move forward but eventually it can happen if I stay where I am today,” said Klitschko.

That fantasy showdown is a long way off yet, but if Joshua continues to sweep opponents aside, it’s not going to be long before he makes it to the very top. In a weight division that is currently lacking in both charismatic figures and top quality, it’d be no surprise if many tried to fast-track the youngster to world-title fights.

It’s important to nurture Joshua appropriately, though. The hyperbole surrounding his talent is justified, with the praise from Klitschko perhaps the most ringing endorsement yet. But the Brit has a long climb ahead of him to reach the peak of the sport; here’s hoping the Ukrainian remains at the summit when Joshua gets there.