By Gabriel Princewill-
Wladimir Klitschko conceivably retired to avoid a second defeat to Anthony Joshua. This is a reasonable conclusion, though based on subjective grounds. It is difficult to believe that Klitschko would have inserted a rematch clause in his original contract with Joshua, if he did not intend to have a second bite at the cherry in the event of defeat.
However, the desire for a heavyweight title fight can change after one tastes the venemous effects of blows from mighty arms like those of Anthony Joshua. After 68 fights and 21 years of professional boxing , Wladimir Klitschko concluded it was time to hang the gloves. His younger brother, Vitali Klitschko, had hinted at the prospect of retirement before the fight if Klitschko lost.
A former world champion himself, Vitali told the UK Daily Express before the fight:
AD: Capeesh Restaurant
”he knows from this fight alot depends on his future and career. it’s time to think about stopping and not fighting anymore, or continue his career. Everything, his future depends on him, that’s why if Joshua loses this fight, he has alot of space because of his age. He has a next time to fight , to try to be world champion. Wladimir doesn’t have a second chance. That’s why we expect full concentration from him, and ofcourse, a good result”.
The expectance of a continued boxing career for Wladimir Klitschko if he won, is evident from his brother’s comments. There would be no second chance in the event of a defet, in his own brother’s words. The key word in Vitali’s comment was ‘continue’. Victory would have been the third coming of Wladimir Klitschko, hailing him as the second person to win the world championship three times. Klitschko nearly accomplished that feat when he dropped Joshua in the sixth round, but he did not pounce on Joshua in the vigorous manner required to close the show.
SCINTILLATING
AD: Oysterian Sea Food Restaurant And Bar
Joshua stopped Klitschko in their scintillating contest last April in which both men were dropped one after the other in the fifth and sixth round consecutively. Joshua eventually emerged the victor in the 11th round, unleashing the bitter taste of defeat- for the second time in a row.
TOUGH
It was a tough fight in which Joshua’s credentials were thoroughly examined by the former prolific champion, before the Londoner came through a winner. Although Joshua eventually won, it wa obvious that he could not dominate Klitschko in the same manner he had done to his last 18 opponents. Only British Dillian Whyte came close after engaging Joshua in a gruelling contest before succumbing to the 2012 London Olympic champion’s power in the seventh round. However, Whyte had looked a novice in comparison to Joshua in the opening two rounds, as he took a pummelling from brilliantly chiselled current world champion.
UNDERDOG
Klitschko came into the contest against Joshua as an underdog, but proved in the end that the pair where really of comparable ability. Until Tyson Fury bucked the trend of Klitschko’s consistent victories, the dignified Ukranaian always stated he would continue fighting for as long as he felt fit to continue. It is intuitive to assume that Klitschko was optimistic of victory against Joshua, but put a contigency plan in place for a rematch if he lost.
The eye of media.com are the only publication to expose the fact the rematch clause Klitschko agreed with Anthony Joshua was illegal according to IBF rules. IBF rules forbid an immediate rematch clause in the contracts of any of their champions, and require that an exceptional request for a rematch is made to the organisation. Joshua was compelled to make this exceptional request,which the IBF unfairly granted. Unfair, because loud mouthed Fury was denied the same opportunity.
A rematch fight between Joshua and Klitschko would have been as equally gripping as the first the fight. Joshua and Eddie Hearns really fancied it, but it would be a risk to great for Klitschko to take. Three consecutive defeats would be an embarassing way to bow out of the sport, what more did he have to prove? An ambassador of the sport, Klitschko has always carried himself with dignity and respect. A Phd holder and a multi-lingual individual, eleven years was a very long time to reign at the apex of the division untouched.
STRUGGLE
Aganst Tyson Fury, Klitschko struggled to find his rythm as he faced an unorthodox fighter who was taller, bigger, and much younger than him. Fury’s puzzle was too complex for Klitschko to crack that first time, but he was ready and determined for a rematch before Fury’s many troubles ruled him out . Klitschko knew he underperformed against Fury, but he brought his A game to our hard hitting Joshua, after three training camps altogether.
He fell short, only just. Klitschko put up a valaint performance against Joshua, but he only knows the feeling of Joshua’s punches , especially the knock out punch.Klitschko has made alot of money in his professional career, and so was able to turn down the huge monetary overtures dangled before him by promoter Eddie Hearns. Besides, his beautiful actress fiancee, Hayden Panetierre would surely have advised her man to call it a day.
Hollywood actresses like to associate with successes, the type Klitschko has been. None would want to see their man who has had an illustrious career throw, it all away in his last three fights. Joshua would have loved the opportunity of inflicting a more emphatic victory against Klitschko in their rematch, but perharps he shoud be thankful of the unknown reality that he may just have lost the rematch.
AD: Heritage And Restaurant Lounge Bar