There continues to be talk of a return to action for legendary former world heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko.
Klitschko retired in 2017 off the back of two defeats. The first was a points loss to Tyson Fury, who then took time away from the sport to battle mental health issues rather than honour a rematch, and the second was a thrilling showdown with Anthony Joshua, which saw the Ukrainian stopped late on after having Joshua down hard in the earlier rounds.
That put an end to a record-breaking campaign in which he and his brother, Vitali, were dominant for many years. Despite a stellar career, Klitschko has reportedly always been keen on making a return in an attempt to beat George Foreman’s record as the oldest ever heavyweight world champion.
Now it has emerged that WBC Interim Champion Agit Kabayel has been sounded out as a possible return opponent for the Ukrainian.
Speaking recently to sport.de, Kabayel – who beat Zhilei Zhang by body shot KO in February and Frank Sanchez last May – admitted he was tempted by an offer to fight ‘Dr Steel hammer’.
“I already mentioned this [giving the returning Klitschko a shot] in my YouTube vlog. A sum was mentioned that would have made some people fall off their chairs and say: ‘Hey, this is the money fight, do it, take it.’
However, he decided to put his own pursuit of a world title first.
“But I really have to think about whether money plays such a big role for me. Whether I should say, ‘Now I’m paying attention to the money’.
“For me, the sporting aspect has always counted. I want to become world champion, world champion, world champion; there is nothing else. Maybe one day there will be a sum that I can’t say no to. But for now, I want to concentrate on the sporting side and stay on the sporting path.”
With that in mind, he has his eyes on the undisputed clash between Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois in July. Although WBO interim champion Joseph Parker is ahead of him in the sanctioning body rotation system, Kabayel may benefit from the WBC belt becoming vacant.
As for Klitschko, it appears he will remain on the sidelines awaiting the right opportunity. If it ever comes is another matter.
