YESTERDAY’S KINGS

WLADIMIR KLITSCHKO

Former WBA, IBF & WBO champion Age: 42 Record: 64-5 (53)

Sparring partner

“I sparred hundreds of rounds with him from early 2003, when I was still an amateur, until his fight with Kubrat Pulev [in November 2014]. He really did have it all. [Trainer] Manny [Emanuel Steward] showed him a lot of tricks that fixed him. He was losing fights, he was getting knocked out and he was about to give up boxing, but Manny came along and did a brilliant job with him. Manny added to what he had and made him perfect. His foot pressure was something else. He knew how to put pressure on fighters without using his hands, and by the time he did something with his hands, you were exhausted and all bent out of shape. I did a lot of rounds with him and they were very, very tough. I wouldn’t be surprised if he boxed again. I have eyes and ears. I see and hear things. He loves boxing more than anything and he’s still in the gym. He has a lot left. He might come back for one more.”

VITALI KLITSCHKO

Former WBC & WBO champion Age: 47 Record: 45-2 (41)

Outpointed Johnson over 12 rounds in December 2009

“I had an injury [to the left bicep] going into that fight [for the WBC title], but he was a strong puncher and a great technical boxer – one of the best I faced. He was the best since Lennox Lewis. He was champion for a long time for a reason, and there were no robberies, no close calls. He let you know he was the champion.” SPARRING PARTNERS: Wladimir Klitschko poses with Joshua [left], Dorsett Barnwell [front centre], Malik Scott and Johnson