Wladimir Klitschko has told the world that he has been sparring with heavyweight Gerald Washington ahead of this months fight with Anthony Joshua.Klitschko is preparing for probably the toughest challenge in his career to date. At 41-years-old, there is no doubt his fitness is not what it once was, and against Joshua he is going to need all those years of experience if he is to find a way to beat AJ.In order to try and beat AJ, Klitschko has decided to train with Gerald Washington, who like Joshua is also 6ft 6in and has a similar build to AJ.
Washington challenged Deontay Wilder in February for the WBC title, yet lost his unbeaten record in five rounds to the Bronze Bomber. Klitschko will hope that sparring against Washington will replicate the challenge he will encounter on April 29 at Wembley.
However Klitschko isn't the only one who has been sparring with a like-for-like opponent. AJ revealed that he too was doing many sparring sessions, yet with Polish fighter Mariusz Wach who has a similar build to Klitschko.
He took on Klitschko in 2012 and took him the full 12 rounds before suffering a points defeat to the then champion.
Both of these partners will give AJ and Klitschko very good preparation for one and other. It is one of the most talked about heavyweight fights in recent years.
Questions
The main questions surrounding the fight will be is it too soon for AJ? Or on the contrary is Klitschko physically not what he once was? He looked exhausted against Tyson Fury in his points defeat at Dusseldorf.
Many pundits feel that with Joshua in unbelievable shape, his pace and power will be too much for the outdated Klitschko. If Klitschko were to lose heavily could it be his last fight in the sport? He might feel he can keep going, yet as he's achieved everything in the sport, and so is it worth it?
Does Klitschko still have the hunger to work, train hard every day, perhaps the desire is not quite what it was and doesn't match the passion of AJ or Wilder.
The fight is scheduled for April 29 at Wembley stadium, and the boxing world will be awaiting in anticipation, and excitement for this heavyweight super fight.