Klitschko set to quit retirement

Wladimir Klitschko is considering making a stunning return to the ring at the age of 44, four years since he retired after losing to Anthony Joshua.

However, it would require an offer of £75 million to tempt the former world heavyweight champion back into the ring.

Klitschko ruled the heavyweight division during his professional career, which originally ran from 1996 to 2017 and saw him become world champion twice.

His fight against Joshua at Wembley proved to be his last.

Although he has always talked about a potential return, the idea of becoming the oldest world champion and breaking George Foreman’s record (45) seemed the only way to lure him back.

Writing on social media, Klitschko said: “I’m sending nothing but positivity and prosperity to all of you, especially those tragically impacted, 2020 punched and humbled all of us to the core.

“You know what people love seeing more than anything in the world?

“I want to see you all comeback strong in 2021!”

‘Dr Steelhammer’ will be 45 in March and would have to wait almost a year to beat Foreman’s record, who clinched the world title in 1994 against Michael Moorer just months before turning 46.

Streaming service DAZN reportedly offer Klitschko £35 million to make a comeback, but big brother Vitali admitted it would take a much bigger number to tempt him back.

“When the news came that a TV channel had offered $40million to Wladimir to make a comeback, I called him and asked what was going on,” he said as per the Daily Star.

“He said: ‘This is an offer that does not really interest me.’

“When, a few weeks later, I was talking about an $80 million (£59m) offer, I called again and asked: ‘What is the situation now?’

“He said: ‘This is not an offer that changes my mind, maybe I’ll start thinking about it at $100 million (£75m).

“Never say never – and that has not changed in his status as a boxing retiree at the moment.”