Earlier this week, when questioned about his loss to Tyson Fury, Wladimir Klitschko compared himself to Mount Everest.

This is what he said: “It’s there. It’s been there for a long time and will be there for a long time.

He also added: "Is Mount Everest ­defeated? No, it’s still there."

Here he clearly refers to his shock loss over Fury, where he lost all of his heavyweight titles in what was one of boxing's biggest ever upsets.

Klitschko shows how his and Fury's fortunes could not be of a greater irony.

After their fight, the Ukrainian is now fighting to reclaim his old belts and Anthony Joshua's IBF belt.

Fury, on the other hand, is trying to rebuild his career after multiple controversies involving substance abuses caused him to be suspended from the sport.

Indeed, Klitschko claims he has learned so much about himself after his defeat to Fury, and now for him, all eyes turn to Joshua, who used to be one of his sparring partners earlier on in his career.

When discussing the upcoming fight, Klitschko make the weird comparison between himself and Mount Everest.

“Please excuse me, and this may sound arrogant but, for a parallel, take Mount Everest, the highest mountain in the world,” said the former world heavyweight king.

“It’s there. It’s been there for a long time and will be there for a long time.

"You can climb it. You can get to the top and say, ‘I ­conquered Everest!’ But Mount Everest is still there.

"Is Mount Everest ­defeated? No, it’s still there.

“It was 27 years ago when I started, and I’m still here.

"I have guys who have conquered me at certain periods in my 68 fights. Four of them have made it to the top out of a 21-year professional career.

“But most didn’t and, the most amazing thing is, I’m still here, they’re not.”

In striking contrast to Fury, Klitschko remains adamant he has huge respect for the talented Anthony Joshua.

So far, the buildup to the fight hasn't been like the usual pre-fight antics.

There has been very few digs from both parties, a major contrast to the buildup between David Haye and Tony Bellew, and that could be down to the fact they both have genuine respect for each other.

However, come fight night, both will have to put that respect to one side and do battle inside the 90,000-seater stadium.

Of course Klitschko should be concerned at how rapid AJ's rise in the sport has been, with his first world heavyweight title match ending in just two rounds against Charles Martin.

Yet, no one has really challenged AJ or taken him close to 12 rounds, which is why this fight with Klitschko is being deemed the biggest of his career to date.

AJ has a perfect win and knockout record, and so Klitschko will have to use all of his valuable experience and try and take AJ out of his comfort zone.

This would involve stretching the fight as long as possible, if Klitschko can inflict some self doubt in Joshua midway through the fight, then he could have a chance.

However, the question remains, will AJ's power and pace be too much for the old and outdated Klitschko?