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Home » Klitschko in line for Wilder opportunity despite Joshua loss

Klitschko in line for Wilder opportunity despite Joshua loss

The 41 year-old, who almost halted 2012 Olympic champion Joshua in the sixth round at England’s National Stadium, is currently mulling over a possible retirement after suffering a fourth career loss in the eleventh.

A rematch with Joshua was contracted, although should ‘Dr. Steelhammer’ decide to continue, a match-up against Wilder could happen once mandatory duties stipulated for the American are completed.

‘The Bronze Bomber’ must face ex-foe Bermane Stiverne in the near future, but may conceivably be able to choose Klitschko for a massive encounter by the end of 2017.

Despite a return with Stiverne failing to set the division alight, the WBC have been loyal to their former title holder and have set purse bid guidelines in place for this month.

Furthermore, Wilder v Stiverne is on the agenda before the likes of Klitschko and the newly-demoted Luis Ortiz can put themselves in the frame for the green and gold belt.

The WBC championship remains the only top division strap to elude Klitschko during his illustrious career.

Joshua’s UK rival Dillian Whyte and mandatory challenger Kubrat Pulev make up the top five, whilst another of the Briton’s victims – Charles Martin, takes the number 12 spot following a successful comeback.

New Top 15 WBC Ratings in the heavyweight division:

1 .- Bermane Stiverne (Haiti/Canada)
2 .- Wladimir Klitschko (Ukraine)
3 .- Luis Ortiz (Cuba)
4 .- Kubrat Pulev (Bulgaria)
5 .- Dillian Whyte (Jamaica/GB) INTL/BBB C
6 .- Andy Ruiz (Mexico)
7 .- Mariusz Wach (Poland)
8 .- Carlos Takam (Cameroon)
9 .- Dominic Breazeale (US)
10 .- Dereck Chisora (GB)
11 .- Johann Duhaupas (France)
12 .- Charles Martin (US)
13 .- Andriy Rudenko (Ukraine) INTL Silver
14 .- Eric Molina (US)
15 .- Agit Kabayel (Germany) EBU * CBP/P

Phil Jay is Editor of World Boxing News. Follow on Twitter @PhilDJay