The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Klitschko

  • AJ Vs Klitschko

    HISTORY beckons tonight at the iconic Wembley Stadium, London when Nigerian-born world heavyweight boxing champion, Anthony Femi Joshua, steps into the rope square against Ukrainian legend, Wladimir Klitschko, in a world titles unification fight. Patriotism obliges me to root for my countryman.

    But beyond that is the yearning for a redemption of the heavyweight class. The last time we saw real excitement in that category was more than fifteen years ago when Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield and Lennon Lewis jabbed. Without taking anything from the legend of the Klitschko brothers (Wladimir and Vitali) who reigned for more than decade non-stop until British-born Tyson Fury handed “Dr. Iron Fist” a shock defeat in November 2015, the fact remains that they are too mechanical in style, robbing the nights of fury we once saw. More and more, we see elephant-overweight guys who ought to be in rehab against obesity still panting all over the ring, giving “the noble art of self-defence” a bad name. At another time, we saw a champ suddenly break down in hot tears under fire in the ring.

    Undefeated in 18 fights since turning pro in 2013, AJ has brought a fresh breath. In him, Muhammad Ali’s charisma, George Foreman’s animal brawn and Mike Tyson’s menacing aura and Lennon Lewis’ charming chivalry appear to converge. More, he is just 27! In a way, AJ also speaks to the Nigerian condition: wasted opportunities. Early in his amateur career, he came down to Nigeria, wanting to jab for Nigeria and possibly wear Nigeria’s colours at the 2012 Olympics. But no one looked at him. In frustration, he returned to United Kingdom where his talent was spotted. He crushed everyone lined up before him to give U.K. gold medal at the London Olympics. But a level-headed guy, AJ never fails to give Nigeria a worthy mention in his inspiring story. AJ, go bring back the glory.

  • Joshua promises victory in ‘gold medal match’ against Klitschko

    Joshua promises victory in ‘gold medal match’ against Klitschko

    Anthony Joshua promised victory in his “gold medal fight” against two-time world champion Wladimir Klitschko when the pair hit New York to promote their Wembley showdown.
    IBF heavyweight champion Joshua takes on Ukrainian Klitschko in London on April 29 and said he was ready for the next big step in his career when making his first appearance in front of the American media.
    The pair appeared together at Madison Square Garden and in Times Square recently, where Joshua’s message remained the same before their showdown at Wembley in front of an expected record-breaking crowd of 90,000.
    “I know I’m going to be facing the best Wladimir,” Joshua, 27, told Sky Sports. “I think the time is right. It may seem soon to people. This is my gold medal fight once again. I’m here for a reason. I’ll handle business the way I’ve always handled it. The goal is the same – to be victorious.”
    Joshua won super heavyweight Olympic gold at London 2012 before winning all 18 of his professional fights by knockout. Klitschko, who will be 41 when he bids to reclaim a world crown, has not fought since he was beaten by Tyson Fury in November 2015.
    “Good day New York, I’m still around!” he said. “This fight is the biggest stage I have ever fought. I think it’s the perfect time for both of us. In three years he’ll be too good and I’ll be too old. It’s a signature fight for boxing. I am obsessed with my goal to become three-time world champion.”
    The fight is expected to attract the largest British boxing crowd for nearly 80 years. The bout is expected to attract a crowd of around 90,000 after promoters struck an agreement with Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, to lift a capacity cap.
    Crowds for major sporting events at Wembley are typically limited to 80,000 in order for London’s transport network to run efficiently.
    However, following consultations between the Mayor’s office, Network Rail, Transport for London and Wembley’s operators, Joshua and Klitschko’s hotly-anticipated contest is likely to match the record attendance for a fight on British soil.
    “Sadiq urged me to bring the biggest fights to the city and I’m delighted to have the biggest fight in British boxing history at Wembley,” Eddie Hearn told BBC Sport.
    Khan said: “I can’t wait to see the fight of the year here in London and it’s fantastic that a post-war record crowd will get to watch it at a world-class venue like Wembley. I’m delighted Transport for London and Network Rail have pulled out all the stops to make this happen so we can move 90,000 people around the capital quickly and safely.”
    The current record crowd for a British fight is also 90,000, set by Len Harvey and Jock McAvoy’s bout at London’s White City in 1939.

  • IBF, WBA, IBO heavyweight titles:Ikeme wants Joshua to beat Klitschko

    IBF, WBA, IBO heavyweight titles:Ikeme wants Joshua to beat Klitschko

    Carl Ikeme has given his support to Anthony Joshua over Ukraine’s Wladimir Klitschko after the British boxer defeated Éric Molina to retain his IBF world heavyweight title on Saturday.
    The Wolverhampton Wanderers goalkeeper is confident the 2012 Olympic gold medalist has what it takes to see off Klitschko’s challenge the same way he defeated Molina by KO at the Manchester Arena on Saturday and continue his 18-fight unbeaten run.
    Ikeme is surely anticipating the Wembley showdown between Anthony Joshua and Wladimir Klitschko which sees the champion win IBF, WBA and IBO heavyweight titles.
    “AJ Devastating again, Klitscho next. Gonna end the same way as last night for me!!!! ,” Ikeme tweeted.

  • Joshua retains title, to fight Klitschko in April

    Joshua retains title, to fight Klitschko in April

    Nigerian-born boxer Anthony Oluwafemi Joshua has retained the IBF World heavyweight title in emphatic style after knocking out American Eric Molina in the third round of their fight at the Manchester Arena and will face Wladimir Klitschko on 29 April at Wembley Stadium.

    The mega fight for the vacant WBA Super World heavyweight and IBF World heavyweight titles was announced when promoter Eddie Hearn told the 21000 fans that gathered to watch the fight.

    “I would like now to bring Wladimir Klitschko to the ring, and I am officially announcing the fight against Anthony Joshua at Wembley Stadium on 29 April.”

    Klitschko, who is 40 and his boxing record stands at 64 wins and 4 losses then asked the screaming fans if they wanted to see two Olympic champions in the ring before eyeballing the much younger Joshua who at 27 holds a 18 win, all knock out record. The response he got was a resounding yes.

    Klitschko won the Super-Heavyweight gold medal the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta while Joshua won the same event at the London games for Great Britain in 2012.

  • Kayode: after I knock Ortiz out, get me Klitschko

    Kayode: after I knock Ortiz out, get me Klitschko

    Nigeria-born undefeated heavyweight boxing title contender, Lateef Kayode, has stated that he is ready for a fight with Wladimir Klitschko after he defeats Luis Ortiz tonight in Las Vegas.

    Kayode, the current WBO NABO and NABF Cruiserweight Champion, is trained by four-time Trainer of the Year Freddie Roach.

    He will face Ortiz in a clash of unbeaten heavyweights tonight at The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.

    Kayode (20-0, 16 knockouts), 31, will be after his third straight stoppage victory, having last been in action for a sixth round technical knockout of Jonte Willis in January.  The win over Willis was the second consecutive for Kayode since June 2012.

    “I feel as good as I did at cruiserweight,” Kayode said, “I’m still the same powerful guy.”

    He continued: “My trainer Freddie Roach has spent a lot of time in the gym with me. He has taught me a lot about my opponents and how to take advantage of them.

    “I notice the difference when Freddie tells me things to adjust my game. He helped me with my footwork and positioning. He taught me new ways to make my opponents pay.

    Kayode’s opponent in tonight’s fight, Ortiz (21-0, 18 KOs), is a former Cuban amateur standout, and is coming off a fourth round knockout of former title challenger Monte Barrett in April. But the Lagos-born Kayode is not bothered by this.

    Hear him: “Freddie told me that if I listen to him I will have no problem with this guy (Ortiz). He (Freddie) is there to make life easier for me.

    “I will be able to keep my composure and keep calm in the ring. It’s not an easy task to fine-tune my brute force and strength but I feel great about where I am.

    “After I knock Ortiz out or whatever I do to him, after that I will leave it up to my manager to try to get me a fight with Klitschko. I’m not scared to fight anybody.”

  • Kayode: after I knock Ortiz out, get me Klitschko

    Kayode: after I knock Ortiz out, get me Klitschko

    Nigeria-born undefeated heavyweight boxing title contender, Lateef Kayode, has stated that he is ready for a fight with Wladimir Klitschko after he defeats Luis Ortiz tonight in Las Vegas.

    Kayode, the current WBO NABO and NABF Cruiserweight Champion, is trained by four-time Trainer of the Year Freddie Roach.

    He will face Ortiz in a clash of unbeaten heavyweights tonight at The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.

    Kayode (20-0, 16 knockouts), 31, will be after his third straight stoppage victory, having last been in action for a sixth round technical knockout of Jonte Willis in January.  The win over Willis was the second consecutive for Kayode since June 2012.

    “I feel as good as I did at cruiserweight,” Kayode said, “I’m still the same powerful guy.”

    He continued: “My trainer Freddie Roach has spent a lot of time in the gym with me. He has taught me a lot about my opponents and how to take advantage of them.

    “I notice the difference when Freddie tells me things to adjust my game. He helped me with my footwork and positioning. He taught me new ways to make my opponents pay.

    Kayode’s opponent in tonight’s fight, Ortiz (21-0, 18 KOs), is a former Cuban amateur standout, and is coming off a fourth round knockout of former title challenger Monte Barrett in April. But the Lagos-born Kayode is not bothered by this.

    Hear him: “Freddie told me that if I listen to him I will have no problem with this guy (Ortiz). He (Freddie) is there to make life easier for me.

    “I will be able to keep my composure and keep calm in the ring. It’s not an easy task to fine-tune my brute force and strength but I feel great about where I am.

    “After I knock Ortiz out or whatever I do to him, after that I will leave it up to my manager to try to get me a fight with Klitschko. I’m not scared to fight anybody.”

  • Klitschko, Wach talk November 10 clash

    Wladimir Klitschko (58-3, 51 KOs) and Mariusz Wach (27-0, 15 KOs) participated Monday in the fight week press conference at the Google Germany HQ in Hamburg to talk about their fight on November 10. IBF, WBA, WBO, IBO and “The Ring Magazine” Heavyweight Champion Klitschko and his undefeated Polish contender Wach will face off next Saturday at the o2 World Arena Hamburg, Germany.

    Wladimir Klitschko: “It took quite a time and I have put a huge effort in getting these belts. I am 100 per cent prepared to defend my titles again and I know what I will be facing in the ring on Saturday. I will defend the titles that I won together with Emanuel Steward.”

    Mariusz Wach: “I know it will be a very difficult fight but I am prepared for anything. If it’s gonna be 12 rounds, I am prepared, if it’s gonna be a technical fight I am prepared. I will do anything to get Klitschko’s titles. This fight will be very special and will be memorized by the boxing fans.”

    For the first time, the press conference was also broadcasted on the official Klitschko Brothers’ Google+ page (www.google.com/+Klitschko). Fans and journalists worldwide were thus able to follow Klitschko and Wach five days before their fight.

    During the press conference it was also announced that Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko, the two World Heavyweight Champions, will continue to have their fights on German TV station RTL. Bernd Bönte, Managing Director of Klitschko Management Group GmbH, and RTL Sports Chief Manfred Loppe signed a new contract for five further fights, regardless of which brother enters the ring.

    KMG and RTL have been working together very successfully for six years already. In 21 fights the brothers always left the ring victorious, drawing TV crowds of up to 16 million viewers only in Germany.

    Bernd Bönte: “Together we are creating great shows and neither the brothers nor myself can think of a better TV partner than RTL.”

    A video and pictures of the press conference are available on the Klitschko Facebook and Google+ page.