Anthony Joshua vs Wladimir Klitschko: Ukranian declares desire to fight Briton next year

'I want to box in March or April against IBF world champion Anthony Joshua,' Klitschko recently told a German newspaper

Klitschko and Joshua had been set to face one another in December but the fight fell through after Klitschko’s camp pulled out

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Wladimir Klitschko has declared that he wants to fight British heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua next “March or April”.

The two had been set to face one another in December but the fight fell through after Klitschko’s camp pulled out.

Bernd Boente, the Ukranian fighter’s manager, remarked that the bout “ran out of time”.

"For the planned date, we're simply out of time," said Boente. "Fight contracts would have to be negotiated, tickets sold and the TV partners needed to publicise the fight accordingly."

But Klitschko made it clear that he still wants the fight to go ahead.

"I want to box in March or April against IBF world champion Anthony Joshua," Klitschko told German newspaper Bild.

"I've never thought about stopping, not once, after the defeat and losing my belts.

"As long as I can perform in the ring, am fit and motivated, I'll keep going. There will be a couple of big, spectacular fights with me in the ring."

He added that a showdown between himself and Joshua would “be the biggest heavyweight fight for years”.

Klitschko in action against Fury last November

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Joshua, 27, has won all of his 17 fights since turning professional following his gold medal at the London 2012 Olympics.

With his fight against Klitschko called off, the Englishman is now expected to find an alternative opponent for his 10 December fight at Manchester Arena.

With Tyson Fury recently vacating his WBO and WBA titles, it has not yet been confirmed whether the belts would be up for grabs for a potential clash between Klitschko and Joshua.