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'MY TOUGHEST CHALLENGE EVER'

Anthony Joshua vs Wladimir Klitschko: Ukrainian boxer under no illusion what awaits him on April 29 at Wembley Arena in his biggest ever fight

Around 90,000 fans are expected in Wembley Stadium in this year's tastiest heavyweight unification fight

WLADIMIR KLITSCHKO has admitted his surprise at how "big"; his heavyweight unification fight against Anthony Joshua has become.

In front of 90,000 fans at Wembley Stadium on April 29, the Ukrainian boxing legend will stand to-to-toe with Britain's most talked about ring talent.

It is the fight that has excited the whole boxing world - Anthony Joshua will take on Wladimir Klitschko on April 29
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It is the fight that has excited the whole boxing world - Anthony Joshua will take on Wladimir Klitschko on April 29Credit: AP:Associated Press

And despite reigning the heavyweight division for years, winning 64 fights with 53 knockouts and losing just four, Klitschko is under no illusion the importance of this fight - and is hoping he has the answers to many people's questions.

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Speaking to , 40-year-old Klitschko said: "This fight is definitely something we are thinking is going to be great on both sides.

Klitschko has, as he usually does, maintained a dignified stance throughout pre-fight, and admits he faces his biggest ever challenge
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Klitschko has, as he usually does, maintained a dignified stance throughout pre-fight, and admits he faces his biggest ever challengeCredit: AP:Associated Press
All the talking will stop on April 29, when belts are on the line between Joshua and Klitschko
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All the talking will stop on April 29, when belts are on the line between Joshua and KlitschkoCredit: AP:Associated Press
Joshua has been confident ahead of the mega-fight, while at the same time acknowledging the standard of his opponent
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Joshua has been confident ahead of the mega-fight, while at the same time acknowledging the standard of his opponentCredit: Getty Images
Klitschko announced the deal had been agreed to fight Joshua after the Brit had demolished Eric Molina
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Klitschko announced the deal had been agreed to fight Joshua after the Brit had demolished Eric MolinaCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

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"One Olympic champion is fighting another one, one generation is fighting another generation, so there are a lot of questions.

"Do I still have it? Is Anthony good enough now? All these questions are in our minds. But we never thought it was going to be that big.

"Thankfully, it is that big, and it's getting even bigger, unexpectedly it's getting even bigger, and the interest is tremendous and amazing."

Klitschko is well used to selling out arenas around the world, including the O2 World Arena in Hamburg, as well as Madison Square Gardens in Las Vegas.

But he admits fighting in front of a sold-out Wembley will be a new experience even for him.

HE'S BEEN HERE BEFORE...

Few would remember but Wladimir Klitschko has actually fought in London before. Back in July 2000, the Ukrainian defeated American Monte Barrett at the now knocked down London Arena, that was on the Isle of Dogs. Barrett was knocked down five times on the night before the referee waved the fight off in the seventh round. It was on the undercard of Lennox Lewis' successful title defence against Frans Botha.


Two generations of boxers will collide - and it will be in front of 90,000 fans on April 29 in London
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Two generations of boxers will collide - and it will be in front of 90,000 fans on April 29 in LondonCredit: PA:Press Association
The mutual respect for each others achievements is perhaps something that should be taken on by some other boxers out there
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The mutual respect for each others achievements is perhaps something that should be taken on by some other boxers out thereCredit: AP:Associated Press

He added: "I'm happy about it, because for me it's an upgrade in my career as a fighter, to fight on my biggest stage that I've ever had in front of 90,000 people.

"I had maybe 40,000, 50,000 60,000 but never 90,000. It's the toughest challenge I've ever had, because in a certain way he is a copy of me sizewise and he is a world champion in a professional sport."

The former multiple belt holder, who lost the lot back in November 2015 when he lost to Tyson Fury, has done most of his fighting in Germany.

But few would remember he actually fought once in London previously.

It's a fact not many people would know, but Klitschko has actually fought in London before - in 2000 against Monte Barrett at the now knocked down London Arena on the Isle of Dogs
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It's a fact not many people would know, but Klitschko has actually fought in London before - in 2000 against Monte Barrett at the now knocked down London Arena on the Isle of DogsCredit: Getty Images
Unsurprisingly with Klitschko well and truly in his pomp in the heavyweight division, he soon had his American opponent in big trouble early on
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Unsurprisingly with Klitschko well and truly in his pomp in the heavyweight division, he soon had his American opponent in big trouble early onCredit: Getty Images
Klitschko eventually secured a seventh-round knockout victory against Barrett as his domination continued for another three years
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Klitschko eventually secured a seventh-round knockout victory against Barrett as his domination continued for another three yearsCredit: Getty Images

In 2000, he defeated American Monte Barrett with a seventh-round knockout at the now closed London Arena on the Isle of Dogs.

This time, however, it will be a much more raucous atmosphere that greets him. But Klitschko is excited at the chance to return to the capital.

He said: "I'm happy to be back in the UK, I know we, Vitali and I, since we were fighting have a lot of followers there, and we've been fighting British fighters a lot in our careers.

"I know we have fans there to, and not to forget boxing came from Great Britain, so it's good to be back where boxing came from."

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