adminNEW YORK. — Wladimir Klitschko will match Joe Louis in boxing’s record books with his 27th heavyweight title fight on Saturday and could set more marks since he has no plans to retire anytime soon. The 39-year-old Ukrainian, speaking to reporters ahead of Saturday’s fight against American Bryant Jennings at New York’s Madison Square Garden, has dominated the heavyweight division for nearly a decade and shown no signs of slowing down.
“As long as I have motivation and health, I’ll do it. I don’t feel old, or bad, or slow,” said Klitschko, who has 17 successful defences in a row since winning the crown for the second time in 2006.
“What could be cooler, or better, than to be the best man on the planet and beating up people for a living?”
The 6-foot-6 Ukrainian boasts a 63-3-0 record heading into the bout against Jennings, who is 19-0 since taking up boxing six years ago.
But the 30-year-old challenger from Philadelphia is not impressed by Klitschko’s accomplishments and plans on starting a new reign.
“My first edge is youth. Youth is always an edge that you can’t deny. Speed. Speed is an edge. These are things that are obvious,” said Jennings.
Despite a three-inch height advantage in Klitschko’s favour, Jennings enjoys the same edge in reach, which could help him keep the champion at bay with jabs.
Youthful exuberance may go only so far against Klitschko, who has shown himself a master technician during his long run.
Klitschko, who would also move within one of Larry Holmes’s 19 consecutive title defences with a win — second to the mark of 25 held by Joe Louis — said he was “allergic” to comparisons with other greats. — Reuters.
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