Wladimir Klitschko has been called out by a former world heavyweight champion as talks continue over his boxing return.
Klitschko retired from boxing shortly after a thrilling showdown with Anthony Joshua at Wembley Stadium in April 2017, and has been linked with a return to the ring in recent weeks, even targeting former rival Tyson Fury as someone he would be eager to face if he is to make a return.
Riyadh Season’s Turki Alalshikh has made it clear he wants the 48-year-old to return and attempt to beat George Foreman’s record of oldest ever heavyweight champion.
“I see Klitschko is here from [his] great country, and I want to ask him a favour. We want to see you one more time in the ring trying to get the chance to have the world championship belt again.
“Let’s see the result of Tyson and Usyk, let’s see the result of Dubois [and Parker]. And I ask the WBC, IBF, WBA and WBO to give you a chance to get this dream. We can support this.”
Another ex-champion is also keen for a showdown with Klitschko if he is to once again step back through the ropes, and that is Shannon ‘The Cannon’ Briggs.
The former WBO world heavyweight champion is now 58, and last fought in 2016 when he stopped Emilio Ezequiel Zarate in the first round at the O2 Arena in London.
Briggs, who has remained inactive since that victory against Zarate eight years ago, has now claimed he wants to make a return whilst speaking to ESNEWS, urging Klitschko to take a fight with himself rather than Fury.
“Ahh man don’t fight Fury, fight Shannon Briggs! He’s going to sleep, you know I don’t play.”
Briggs is no stranger to Klitschko, with the pair clashing publicly multiple times over the years.
‘The Cannon’ went through a phase of tracking Wladimir down to confront him in person, where he famously clashed with the Ukrainian icon at a restaurant as he was eating lunch. He was also captured goading Klitschko during a paddle boarding session, causing him to fall into water in the process.
Briggs has remained in good shape whilst being away from the ring as he looks set to climb between the ropes once again in 2025.
