Watch: Ex-heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko fuels comeback rumours with sparring return

Originally posted on BenchWarmers | By Jamie Wilkinson | Last updated 12/15/21

Former heavyweight champion of the world Wladimir Klitschko, aged 45, has returned to sparring.

Klitschko, irrespective of his late-career defeats to Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua, is ranked as one of the finest heavyweights of all time.

Testament to that fact is the Ukrainian holding the record for the most successful defences of a unified heavyweight crown.

Wlad has not fought professionally since his defeat to Joshua back in April of 2017, and with him now being in his mid-forties, was never expected to fight again.

He might not, but speculation that he could has intensified after footage emerged of the 64-5 fighter back in sparring.

Wladimir Klitschko back sparring at age 45…

[ @Klitschko] pic.twitter.com/CISXJaMxXJ

— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) December 14, 2021

It is not uncommon for former fighters to continue training as a way to keep fit and provide themselves with some sort of routine.

However, that training does not oftentimes include contact sparring, which is a potential telltale sign that Klitschko could at least be interested in returning to fight in an exhibition.

Though some would no doubt rather he left the past in the past and did not taint his legacy any further, there will be others who are excited by the prospect of seeing him back in the ring.

What do you think?

This article first appeared on BenchWarmers and was syndicated with permission.

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