Wladimir Klitschko has admitted the lure of George Foreman’s long-standing record could spark a return aged 45.
Foreman became the oldest heavyweight champion of all time when defeating Michael Moore in 1994. Big-hitting Foreman defied all logic when halting his American rival to claim the top division crown.
The feat is already 24 years old and would be approaching 28 years when Klitschko turns the eligible age in early 2022.
Due to Foreman winning the strap at 45 years and just over nine months, Klitschko would be able to topple ‘Big George’ from January of that year.
Klitschko would be almost 46 by then. With the likes of Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury relatively young for a heavyweight at 32 and 33, respectively. Deontay Wilder would be heading towards his twilight years at 36, whilst Oleksandr Usyk should be well and truly in the mix by then.
It’s tough to see where a winnable title chance could come from, although Klitschko says as long as he can still cut it with the young bucks, he may consider a comeback.
“I train regularly. Almost every day, “Klitschko told Fox Sports’ Fair Game. “I need it like the air to breathe. I enjoy doing sports.
“(As of now) I still have it, but I do not know how long I can keep this form. It must be something extraordinary. Incredible.
FOREMAN
“But if I can become a 45-year-old, a 46-year-old, and if I’ve still got it. If I still have sparks in my stomach, I would think that I could break the record and become the oldest heavyweight champion at this extraordinary moment.
“I mean, obviously now there is only one guy, George Foreman. But by then, I’ll think about it,” he added.
Foreman’s 200 pounds plus accomplishment doubled up as the world record until as recently as 2011. That was until Bernard Hopkins overhauled the legend when defeating Jean Pascal.
With another victory, this time in 2013 against Tavoris Cloud, Hopkins extended his record to 48 years, having surpassed Foreman two years earlier when he was 46.
