Injured Klitschko gives no thought to retiring

BERLIN:

Former world heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko says he is not contemplating retirement despite having seen three title bouts fall through this year. “I’ve never thought about stopping, not once, after the defeat and losing my belts,” Klitschko, who lost his IBF, WBO and WBA titles to Tyson Fury last November, told German daily Bild. “As long as I can perform in the ring, am fit and motivated, I’ll keep going. “I want to box in March or April against IBF world champion Anthony Joshua. “That’ll be the biggest heavyweight fight for years and hopefully it’ll be for three titles.” Hamburg-based Klitschko, who turns 41 next March, has endured a frustrating 2016. His rematch against Fury had been set for July 9, only for an injury to force the British fighter out. Fury then pulled out of a second bout scheduled for this Saturday as he battles depression. Earlier this month, Fury’s licence to box was suspended by the British Boxing Board of Control. Fury has vacated the World Boxing Organisation (WBO) and World Boxing Association (WBA) titles he still held to focus on his recovery.—AFP