Wladimir Klitschko is showing the hunger that sparked ‘amazing’ comeback

Wladimir Klitschko’s reign as world heavyweight champion is second only to Joe Louis, who ruled for almost 12 years.

Klitschko, however, has admitted his domination of the division was “boring” and the reality is it took the defeat by Tyson Fury in 2015 — ending the Ukrainian’s nine-year spell at the top — to spark a new fascination in the 41‑year-old.

Klitschko admits he is no longer in the comfort zone and according to his trainer, Johnathon Banks, there has been a remarkable rekindling of desire even though many observers contend he is too old now.

“They’ve said he was done before and now they’re saying he’s all done again,” said Banks ahead of Klitschko’s public work‑out at Wembley Arena last night.

“He uses this as fuel to the fire. The more they talk, the more gasoline they’re throwing on the fire. He’s using it to motivate himself and to prove people wrong. A lot of people are going to eat their words. I saw him like this when I was his sparring partner in 2004 and he got knocked out by Lamon Brewster.

“To pick yourself up and do the same thing again is really difficult. The mental game plays a big part. For him to do that in 2004 and come back was amazing for me.

“He got a taste of that again in the Fury fight. Then he got another taste of it in the media, who said it was all over. And it changed him. He said to me, ‘This is like a flashback to 2004’. He just had an off night against Fury. It happens. But he has to take it as his motivation to come back better. It changed him. He’s been different ever since. He’s been obsessed ever since.”

None of which means Klitschko will come out all guns blazing against Anthony Joshua on Saturday. The Briton is too quick and dangerous for that after 18 straight knockouts and at 27.

Although the defeat by Fury came about because Klitschko was out-thought over 12 rounds, the memory of that stunning knock-out by Brewster 13 years ago — and two others by Corrie Sanders and Ross Puritty earlier in his career — keep alive the idea he remains susceptible.

And according to master trainer Freddie Roach, who guided Klitschko through four fights, Joshua will exploit that.

“I’m going with youth even though Klitschko is my friend,” Roach said. “Experience is a really, really huge obstacle for young guys like Joshua. But how much of the old Klitschko can he bring back. Does he have one more left? I think youth will prevail.”