Ripped Klitschko’s eyes buzzing for UKm m

WLADIMIR Klitschko’s eyes lit up as he looked around the massive atrium and saw hundreds of people lining the staircases and railings, craning their necks for a glimpse.

The 41-year-old future boxing Hall of Famer was about to speak on Thursday at a news conference in advance of his IBF heavyweight championship bout this weekend against British champ Anthony Joshua and it was clear he was thoroughly enjoying the moment.

‘‘Good day, ladies and gentlemen,’’ Klitschko said with an engaging smile.

‘‘It’s an amazing crowd here. And I would love to have a very, very, very long speech.’’

The audience laughed at the Ukrainian’s joke, but it’s possible that there was some truth hidden beneath the surface.

Watching Klitschko’s gleeful byplay with the fans, it is obvious he does not want his time in the spotlight to end. Why else would Klitschko, a two-time heavyweight champion with a sterling record of 64-4 and 53 knockouts, fight an opponent as dangerous as Joshua – before a partisan sellout crowd of 90,000 at Wembley Stadium – at this late stage of his career?

At 18-0 with all of his victories coming by knockout, Joshua, 27, is one of the most exciting young heavyweights to come along in some time.

He dispatches opponents with Tyson-like ease, and he has a similarly electrifying presence.

Only two of his foes have made it past the third round (each was knocked out in the seventh).

For all his promise, Joshua would be lucky to one day equal Klitschko’s accomplishments.

Joshua holds the IBF belt, but Klitschko defended it 18 times over nine years until he was upset by Tyson Fury in November 2015.

Most would consider it a blow