Wladimir Klitschko has spoken of previous sparring sessions with Anthony Joshua ahead of pair’s bout at Wembley Stadium on April 29.

Klitschko had seemed unstoppable up until his defeat to Tyson Fury in November 2015.

The Ukrainian successfully fought for the world title on 19 consecutive occasions before the Mancunian heavyweight stripped him of his titles.

Following the loss, Klitschko had been rewarded with a rematch against his rival and an opportunity to regain his titles.

However, Fury postponed the bout citing a “sprained ankle,” and eventually withdrew altogether after doctors declared him “medically unfit” to fight.

We all know what happened next with Fury, with drug abuse reportedly being a big problem for the self-proclaimed Gypsy King.

However, as one British boxer has unceremoniously fallen from the summit of heavyweight boxing, another has climbed to the top.

27-year-old Anthony Joshua has won and retained the IBF belt on two occasions since Fury’s victory, and Klitschko is next up on his assault on the heavyweight division.

Speaking ahead of next month’s fight, the 41-year-old has confirmed he has previous with Joshua, but only during sparring sessions many years ago.

When discussing his next opponent, Klitschko recalled: “I got to know him in the ring. He was one of many sparring partners. Some of them I don’t remember.

The London-born fighter clearly made an impact during the sparring session as Klitschko went on to tell of how impressed he was of the young fighter.

“Yes, I do remember him. He impressed me with his attitude. He was very raw. He carried himself well. He was very athletic and he could box.

"I was there in the arena in London when he won Olympic gold. Every medallist in the heavyweight and super-heavyweight divisions at the Olympics has to be considered successful. Look back in history.

“I gave him a lot of credit.

"He has a lot of potential and so far he has done good. Look, 18 fights, he’s a champion and he is fighting the biggest stage in his career. Even in my career I haven’t fought in a 90,000 stadium. He started young and he’s had success.

“I’ve had Olympic champions in my camp and former world champions. I liked A J’s attitude. He was not trying to impress anybody. He backed off, was sitting on the side, not talking too much. He was watching, learning, asking questions. He was very polite. He was different than others at this stage of experience and achievements in sport. You can’t see everything. There’s so much involved in it. But he got pretty much where I train, how I train, the rules. He got the vibe.”

Klitschko’s admiration for the young Brit will be an extra boost going into the fight.