KLITSCHKO SEW SURE HE CAN BE WEMBLEY WINNER

WLADIMIR KLITSCHKO is sewing a video stick containing his prediction as to how his fight with Anthony Joshua will pan out into the ring robe he’ll wear at Wembley. The robe will be auctioned off for the Klitschko Foundation for Children, but the man who ruled heavyweight boxing for 11 years leaves no doubt as to what the destiny of the world championship belts will be. When asked to explain the confidence with which he will walk out to face not only the powerful young Briton but also a British record 90,000 crowd for the fight, he answered with stark simplicity. ‘Anthony is a puncher. I’m a boxer who can punch,’ he said. The video stick displaced Klitschko’s first idea of sealing his prediction in an envelope and handing it to Joshua before their battle, with a note saying: ‘Not to be opened until after the fight.’ Klitschko remarked on how strong Joshua looks, saying: ‘I’ve never seen AJ as big as this. He looks like Arnold Schwarzenegger. But I am already the winner of this fight. Although it is in AJ’s home city of London I see this as my fight, my night, my win.’ With Ukraine embroiled in conflict with Russia, Klitschko also cites this as extra motivation, saying: ‘My country faces many geopolitical challenges, so this is important not only for the boxing fans but as a motivation for my country. ‘As Nelson Mandela once said: “Sport has the power to change the world”. ‘So while I am not Nostradamus, there are many reasons why I feel so certain.’ As the pair faced the world’s media, Joshua was asked how he would react to defeat. The 27-year-old said: ‘Well, I don’t know how to answer that.’ Klitschko smiled and said: ‘You don’t know because you haven’t lost so far. ‘I have been beaten, so let me help you. You can pick yourself up and come back if you have the will, which you have. Don’t worry, it will be okay.’ Joshua grinned back and said: ‘This is not complicated for me. I win. It will be just one more win on my record.’