Don’t be scared of defeat – Klitschko

WLADIMIR KLITSCHKO told IBF world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua defeat was “nothing to be scared of ” at a packed news conference ahead of their sell-out title fight at Wembley Stadium tomorrow.

Ukrainian Klitschko, 41, said he was obsessed with reclaiming the heavyweight titles he lost against Britain’s Tyson Fury in November 2015 – his first defeat in 11 years.

Britain’s Joshua, making his third defence of the IBF title he won against American Charles Martin last April, looked nervous at Sky TV headquarters where renowned American MC Michael Buffer introduced the fighters.

Asked if he had thought about what a first professional defeat would feel like after 18 straight knockouts, the 27-yearold Joshua looked nonplussed and was helped out by Klitschko who was clearly more used to big-fight build-ups. “I will help you. I’ve been there and done that. I shook it off and came back stronger,” Klitschko, like Joshua a former Olympic champion, said. “It’s nothing to be scared about.”

There was none of the bad feeling and insults that marked the buildup to his fight with Fury – rather a polite respect from both men and their entourages.

Instead Klitschko, dressed in a grey tracksuit, went on a charm offensive, describing Britain as boxing’s Mecca and saying he and Joshua were polishing the sport’s reputation.

“I’m going to fight a guy whose age is exactly the number of how long I have been in boxing – 27 years. Can you imagine that?” Klitschko, who has won 64 of his 68 fights, said.

“Is it a degradation that I’m a challenger and an underdog in this fight? I don’t think so. I think it’s a great opportunity. I feel young.”