Wladimir Klitschko has outlined his 'five-step plan' to beating Anthony Joshua in next year's high-profile bout, admitting that the 'obsession' of becoming a three-time world heavyweight champion is spurring him on.
The Ukrainian has not been in the ring since losing to Tyson Fury in November 2015 on a unanimous points decision and will be 41 when facing Joshua in April 2017.
Klitschko is unfazed by the prospect of coming face to face with the unbeaten British ace, though, and says that he already knows exactly how he will prepare for the Wembley Stadium showdown four months from now.
"I will describe in five steps my dream and how I feel," he told reporters. "It's like in the same way a boxer cannot punch with one finger, even with two he is not strong enough, so we have five steps and if I put these five steps together that makes a fist that can punch through anything in life. So, in the first step, my goal and target is to become a three-time world champion. I have been holding myself back for a year and half, which was the first time in my entire 26-year career and I look forward to being back in the ring, like I said to become a three-time world champion.
"The second step, the consequences. What is going to happen if Anthony will win this fight? I will congratulate you, Anthony. When I will win this fight, I will help you to come back. In the third step, obviously I am going to need somebody that is going to help me get into the perfect shape, so we'll have sparring partners.
"My direct competitors, they want to knock me out in the ring and during sparring session. We're probably going to look for the same guys because, we're the same size, same arm length, all the same, different colours, but the rest is the same. Those sparring partners will help me get into better shape.
"In the fourth step, I imagine standing in the middle of this stadium, holding those belts in my hands to all the fans. I have a dream to hold those belts in my hands. And the fifth and final step, which is very important to me, I am obsessed with my first step and with my goal to become a world champion again."
Speaking at the same press conference, Joshua - who has now won all 18 matches by way of knockout after his third-round stoppage of Eric Molina at the weekend - claimed that he will become a "legend overnight" if he comes out on top in his latest title defence.
Daniel Lewis
