Controversial promoter Don King has accused Wladimir Klitschko of avoiding fighting in the US against the best fighters Stateside and says the Ukrainian cannot call himself the heavyweight champion of the world.
Klitschko, who holds the WBA, WBO, IBF, and IBO titles, is keen on claiming the WBC version and has already expressed his desire to meet the winner of this weekend’s green belt clash between Bermane Stiverne and Deontay Wilder.
King currently represents Stiverne as the champion heads into his first defense of the title. The former Mike Tyson handler had much praise for the Haitian-Canadian and his opponent for Saturday’s MGM Grand battle.
Klitschko is the champion
“The fact of the matter is, the heavyweight title has not been the world championship. It’s been the German championship,” said King.
“Now, the heavyweight title is back here with Bermane Stiverne, and it’s great to be able to present it in the world’s capital of boxing, Las Vegas. To be at the great MGM Grand is a delight.
“Deontay is a tremendous fighter with a perfect record of 32 fights and 32 knockouts. Bermane has 21 knockouts, so it’s going to be a heck of a fight.”
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