The 37 year-old, who is undefeated in almost a decade, has never held the coveted green belt throughout his career and now hopes to keep the title in the family following Vitali’s decision to concentrate on politics.
Vitali, 42, aims to become the president of Ukraine in the upcoming elections, leaving Wladimir as the sole representative from the family in the sport. Belt-hoarding ‘Dr. Steelhammer’ now wants to take full advantage of the situation by becoming undisputed king, the first in the sport since Lennox Lewis dominated the division over ten years ago.
“It is obviously my aim to bring the WBC title back into the Klitschko family,” Wladimir told Germany’s Bild newspaper.
Wladimir’s announcement may disappoint those top contenders like Chris Arreola, Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury, who were all holding out for a call from the World Boxing Council about facing mandatory challenger Bermane Stiverne.
It’s now up to the WBC on whether they will allow Wladimir the right to battle Stiverne for the title, possibly in the spring of 2014, with a decision expected on the future of the top division crown in the coming weeks.
Alex Leapai was made WBO number one in the latest rankings and told WBN that discusssion had begun with Klitschko’s team, although this latest twist could now end that stipulated contest in the short-term.
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