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Agence France-Presse

Great Britain’s heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua says beating Ukrainian veteran Wladimir Klitschko in their mouthwatering showdown for the IBF and WBA crowns next April would entitle him to be called a legend.
The 27-year-old 2012 Olympic champion , who defended his IBF title on Saturday against American journeyman Eric Molina, will face off against Klitschko on April 29 at Wembley Stadium and said the bout could be a life-changing experience for him.
“A knockout is the cherry on top but to win, whichever way, is very possible,” said Joshua.
“This is a fight that can change one from champion to legend overnight.
Watch: Anthony Joshua v Eric Molina


“It will draw masses of attention and they are the type of fights that can change the way people view you.”
Klitschko, who will be 41 by the time the bout takes place, said he has stayed in the sport since losing his WBA, IBF and WBO belts in a surprise defeat by troubled British pugilist Tyson Fury in November 2015 expressly to regain his titles.
Anthony Joshua excited by Wladimir Klitschko Wembley fight in front of potential 90,000
“I am obsessed with my goal to become the champion again,” said Klitschko, who has not fought since that defeat.
Joshua, who is 18-0 in his professional career and has never been taken the distance, conceded that while Klitschko might be on the elderly side for a boxer contesting a world title, it did not make him any less dangerous.

Different Views... #joshuaklitschko pic.twitter.com/MimQmEl56X
— Anthony Joshua (@anthonyfjoshua) December 14, 2016

<![CDATA[// ><!]]>

“I know what they mean when the say the old lion still roars and I know what that obsession is like because I live with that same obsession, it’s just a clash of the titans,” said Joshua, who was a sparring partner for Klitschko early in his professional career.
“In life you have to prepare for the unpredictable so you just never know.
British world champion Anthony Joshua retains heavyweight in Molina KO and sets up mouthwatering clash with Klitschko
“This is the step up people want to see, what more can I ask for? I’m true to myself, true to my sport and that’s why I’m ready for any challenge.”
Their promotional press conference was conducted in a dignified and respectful manner which would have delighted the promoters after two rowdy recent press conferences.

Former world heavyweight champion David Haye threw a punch at his next opponent Tony Bellew and Dereck Chisora, who lost to Klitschko in a title challenge, hurled a table.
“It’s amazing that two fighters aren’t throwing tables or punching each other or saying what they’re going to do to each other,” remarked Klitschko.
Joshua-Klitschko proposed heavyweight fight is off as Ukrainian suffers ‘minor injury’
“I was, I am and I will be very complimentary of him [Joshua].
“The first time I saw him perform in 2012 when he became Olympic champion here in London, I felt he was following in my footsteps.

I'm obsessed with my goal to become a three time world champion on April 29. #TakeTheBiggestChallenge pic.twitter.com/5RuUCzfg8J
— Klitschko (@Klitschko) December 14, 2016

<![CDATA[// ><!]]>

“Whatever the outcome, I truly believe he is one of the best heavyweights right now. I think Anthony is an absolutely outstanding athlete. It’s great that eventually we meet.”
Klitschko admitted even to addressing Joshua a ‘little bro’ – although he added it didn’t mean he would go easy on him in the ring.
“We are friends in a certain way,” said Klitschko.
“I did call him little bro’ but even when I am in the ring with my bro’, I am very competitive.”

Beating Wladimir Klitschko would make me a legend, says Anthony Joshua

Anthony Joshua (left) and Wladimir Klitschko. Photo: EPA

Britain's Anthony Joshua (L) and Ukraine's Wladimir Klitschko (R) take part in a press conference at Wembley Stadium in north west London on December 14, 2016. Ukraine's Wladimir Klitschko will fight Britain's Anthony Joshua on April 29, 2017 at Wembley Stadium in London / AFP PHOTO / Daniel LEAL-OLIVAS

British boxing body suspends license of former heavyweight champion Tyson Fury pending probe into doping and medical issues

Tyson Fury. Photo: AFP

Boxing - Wladimir Klitschko v Tyson Fury WBA, IBF & WBO Heavyweight Title's - Esprit Arena, Dusseldorf, Germany - 28/11/15 Tyson Fury celebrates after being declared the winner of the fight as Wladimir Klitschko looks dejected Reuters / Kai Pfaffenbach Livepic

FILE PHOTO - Boxing - Wladimir Klitschko v Tyson Fury WBA, IBF & WBO Heavyweight Title's - Esprit Arena, Dusseldorf, Germany - 28/11/15Tyson Fury celebrates winning the fightAction Images via Reuters / Lee SmithLivepic/File Photo

End of the line? Tyson Fury almost at breaking point, says his uncle as promoter Hearn says he’s finished

Heavyweight champion Tyson Fury attended last week’s Anthony Crolla-Jorge Linares fight in Manchester and looked overweight. Photo: Reuters

(FILES) This file photo taken on November 27, 2015 shows Ukrainian Heavyweight World Champion Wladimir Klitschko (2nd L) and his challenger Britain's Tyson Fury (R) posing for a face-off during an official weigh-in in Essen, western Germany. Britain's controversial world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury's title rematch with Ukrainian Wladimir Klitschko has been called off for a second time as the titleholder is "medically unfit to fight", his camp said on September 23, 2016. The 28-year-old champion -- who sensationally took the title off long-time holder Klitschko last year -- had already postponed the fight once this year because of an ankle injury. / AFP PHOTO / PATRIK STOLLARZ

epa05536597 Ukrainian heavyweight boxer Wladimir Klitschko holds up a poster of an absent Tyson Fury during a press conference in London, Britain, 12 September 2016. Klitschko will challenge British WBA, WBO, IBO, and IBF heavyweight boxing world champion Tyson Fury on 29 October 2016 in Manchester, Britain. According to Fury's team Fury's car broke down on the way from Manchester to London and was unable to attend the press conference. EPA/ANDY RAIN

In this Nov. 28, 2015 picture Ukraine's Wladimir Klitschko, left, and Britain's Tyson Fury compete in a world heavyweight title fight for Klitschko's WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO belts in the Esprit Arena in Duesseldorf, western Germany. The heavyweight rematch between Tyson Fury and Wladimir Klitschko has been rescheduled for Oct. 29 at the Manchester Arena. Fury beat Klitschko in November to claim the WBA, WBO and IBF titles. A rematch was originally scheduled for July 9 but was postponed after Fury sustained an ankle injury. The new date was announced Wednesday Sept. 7, 2016 by both fighters' management teams. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner,file)

Heavyweight champion Tyson Fury labels challenger Wladimir Klitschko a boring, no-risk fighter

British heavyweight champions Tyson Fury continues to goad his Ukrainian opponent ahead of their world title rematch in July. Photo: AFP

Britain's heavyweight world boxing champion Tyson Fury and challenger Wladimir Klitschko of Ukraine, from right, react during a press conference in Cologne, Germany, Thursday, April 28, 2016. Fury is scheduled for a rematch against Wladimir Klitschko on Saturday July 9 at the Manchester Arena in Britain. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

No show: Wladimir Klitschko eager for revenge over ‘invisible’ Tyson Fury after he skips media conference

Wladimir Klitschko was forced to go ahead with a scheduled media conference in the absence of defending champion Tyson Fury who claimed his car had broken down on the way to the event. Photo: EPA

epa05536601 The empty seat (L) of British WBA, WBO, IBO, and IBF heavyweight boxing world champion Tyson Fury during a press conference in London, Britain, 12 September 2016. Ukrainian heavyweight boxer Wladimir Klitschko will challenge Fury on 29 October 2016 in Manchester, Britain. According to Fury's team Fury's car broke down on the way from Manchester to London and was unable to attend the press conference. EPA/ANDY RAIN

Britain Boxing - Tyson Fury & Wladimir Klitschko Head-to-Head Press Conference - Landmark London Hotel - 12/9/16 Wladimir Klitschko goes head to head with an image of Tyson Fury during the press conference Action Images via Reuters / Peter Cziborra Livepic EDITORIAL USE ONLY.

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The 27-year-old 2012 Olympic champion , who defended his IBF title on Saturday against American journeyman Eric Molina, will face off against the Ukrainian on April 29 at Wembley Stadium
