Share

Fourth title for Klitschko?

Hamburg - Undisputed heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko says he plans to become the first boxer in history to hold all four major world titles.

The 38-year-old produced an impressive display in the 17th defence of his world titles on Saturday with a fifth round knock-out of IBF mandatory challenger Kubrat Pulev in Hamburg for his 63rd victory and his last defeat is now a decade ago.

Of the world's top four -- the IBF, WBA, WBO and WBC belts -- only the WBC crown, currently held by Canada's Bermane Stiverne, is missing from Klitschko's collection.

Stiverne is due to defend his WBC belt for the first time against Deontay Wilder of the United States in Las Vegas on January 17 and Klitschko is likely to face the winner.

Boxing legends Lennox Lewis, Riddick Bowe, Evander Holyfield, Buster Douglas and Mike Tyson have all held a maximum of three of the titles simultaneously, just like Klitschko does now.

Elder brother Vitali, who last fought in 2012, twice held the WBC title before retiring as champion to go into politics and is now the mayor of Kiev, and Klitschko wants to bring the belt back into the family.

"My big wish is to bring the WBC belt back into the family," Hamburg-based Klitschko told German magazine Sport Bild.

Previously, Klitschko would have had to relinquish all of his belts to fight for the WBC title, but that has changed and a unifying bout could now happen.

"Wladimir is a true icon of boxing and the WBC would completely support a unification fight," said WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman.

"Wladimir couldn't have been a WBC champion for a long time, because his brother held the title and they didn't want to fight each other.

"The fact that Vitali clearly won't fight again means the way is clear for Wladimir."

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
How much would you be prepared to pay for a ticket to watch the Springboks play against the All Blacks at Ellis Park or Cape Town Stadium this year?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
R0 - R200
33% - 1816 votes
R200 - R500
32% - 1774 votes
R500 - R800
19% - 1082 votes
R800 - R1500
8% - 459 votes
R1500 - R2500
3% - 186 votes
I'd pay anything! It's the Boks v All Blacks!
5% - 252 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE