By James Slater: Reigning IBF and WBO heavyweight champion of the world, Wladimir Klitschko turns 32 years of age today. Now entering what for many modern day heavyweights is the prime years, “Dr. Steel Hammer” will no doubt be looking ahead to some huge fights in the very near future..
Very keen on the idea of becoming the one and only undisputed heavyweight champion, Klitschko will hopefully be getting it on in the coming months with the WBC belt holder Samuel Peter, in a return match ( if Wladimir’s brother, Vitali doesn’t beat him to it) and the current WBA boss Ruslan Chagaev – if Ruslan can get past Russian giant Nicolay Valuev in their upcoming return contest.
The now 32 year old Klitschko, 50-3(44) is considered by most boxing fans and experts to be the best heavyweight in the world right now. Okay, he didn’t look that hot in his last fight, the points win over Sultan Ibragimov, but Klitschko has been the most consistent big guy atop the heavyweight ladder as of the last three years or so. Unbeaten in his last eight fights – or since his shocking 5th round TKO loss to “Relentless” Lamon Brewster back in April of 2004 – Wladimir may indeed be at or about his physical peak now.
Klitschko avenged the Brewster loss, of course, and has also recently beaten the likes of the previously undefeated Calvin Brock and the slippery Chris Byrd. With his punishing jab, massive size and dedication to the sport, the 32 year old looks like he will take some beating. Sure, he didn’t exactly look great in the Ibragimov fight, from an excitement point of view anyway, but how many rounds did Wladimir lose? Barely any on the cards of most observers. And Ibragimov is no slouch, either. Before the fight more than a few predicted either a win for the southpaw or at the very least a tough fight for the IBF king. Instead, Klitschko posted a near shutout.
Like the way he fights or not, Wladimir Klitschko appears to be here to stay for quite a while yet. let’s face it, he’s already beaten Peter and who would bet against him in a return match with the powerful but slow Nigerian? So too does “Dr. Steel Hammer” figure to take the zero from the end of Chagaev’s record if and when they clash. Without a doubt, Klitschko is the best hope for an undisputed heavyweight king any time soon.
Happy birthday, Wladimir. And let’s see you get those unification fights you want!