Wladimir Klitschko’s long pursuit of heavyweight champion George Foreman’s oldest record is coming to an end as he turns 50, with the ongoing war in Ukraine finally unsettling him.

For years, World Boxing News documented Klitschko’s desire to return to boxing solely to break Foreman’s historic mark.

The former unified heavyweight ruler has repeatedly said that he has no interest in exhibitions, farewell fights or simply returning to the ring for nostalgia.

“It’s a record-breaking comeback,” Klitschko said as speculation about a comeback gained momentum following his 2017 retirement.

Now, after almost a decade away from the sport and after his 50th birthday, a dream that once seemed realistic during the turmoil of the heavyweight division has quietly faded away.

Bernd Boente

No one understands Klitschko’s way of thinking better than Bernd Boente.

Boente spent 18 years as manager and CEO of Klitschko Management Group during one of the most dominant eras in heavyweight boxing history before leaving the position in 2018.

Today, Boente works as an analyst for DAZN DACH, covering major heavyweight fights including Fabio Wardley vs. Daniel Dubois and Oleksandr Usyk vs. Rico Verhoeven.

His experience goes back even further, after decades of working in the ring with Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield, Lennox Lewis, George Foreman, Sugar Ray Leonard, Thomas Hearns, Roberto Duran, Julio Cesar Chavez and many others during his television work in Germany from 1987-2000.

When asked by WBN if Klitschko was unhappy about potentially losing his chance to break Foreman’s record, Boente made it clear that boxing was no longer a priority.

“We talk on the phone quite often, but we never talk about boxing,” Boente told World Boxing News exclusively.

“Vitali, Vladimir and their compatriots are currently engaged in completely different matters in the country.

“They are fighting the most essential fight of their lives, namely the fight for the freedom and independence of their homeland, Ukraine!”

George Foreman’s record

The comments add a sense of finality to the comeback story that WBN has been following since 2018.

Klitschko has talked about Foreman’s record many times over the years and has openly admitted that it remains one of the few motivations that could pull him back into professional boxing.

“I still have it. Can I fight? Yes,” Klitschko said earlier.

“There will be no comeback to break your jaw. It’s a comeback to break the record.”

The pandemic initially put a damper on those ambitions after DAZN discussed a massive comeback deal that included multiple fights and a world title shot.

Then the Russian-Ukrainian war changed everything.

Instead of preparing to return to heavyweight at the age of 45 or 46, Klitschko stood by his brother Vitali during the darkest period in Ukraine’s contemporary history.

Even amid speculation about Turka Alalshich’s desire to facilitate Klitschko achieve the record, the Ukrainian legend has repeatedly emphasized where his priorities actually lie.

“At the moment, I am not interested in my return to boxing, but in the return of Russians to their country outside Ukraine,” Klitschko declared at the end of 2024.

The return of the heavyweight division

Exceeding the age of 50 effectively eliminates any chances for Klitschko to return to the ring.

It’s been almost a decade since he retired, and even then, many considered him over the top.

Given the current state of the heavyweight division, Daniel Dubois or Murat Gassiev would be the obvious choice for any comeback attempt.

However, Klitschko’s decision was largely ignored by the ongoing situation in Ukraine.

The opportunities may still exist from a boxing standpoint. Foreman’s desire to chase achievement may even still be lurking in the background.

But the reality described by Boente paints a completely different picture.

For Wladimir Klitschko, the fight that matters right now has nothing to do with the heavyweight titles.

About the Author

Phil Jay is the editor-in-chief of World Boxing News (WBN) and a boxing veteran with over 15 years of experience. Since 2010, he has been interviewing world champions, breaking down international titles exclusively and reporting from the ring. His work is distributed on major platforms including Apple News. Read the full biography.

Tank (30-0-1, 28 KO) hasn’t fought since a 12-round majority draw against Lamont Roach Jr. March 1, 2025 The long layoff makes Davis’ timing arduous because Schofield is teenage, undefeated, aggressive and entering the biggest opportunity of his career with nothing to lose.

In its decision, the WBA cited the championship regulations, claiming that Davis was overdue for the mandatory defense. The promotion also reminded both camps that champions outside the heavyweight division are required to defend their titles every nine months.

“The World Boxing Championships Committee has officially ordered a mandatory lightweight title fight between reigning champion Gervonta Davis and the division’s No. 1 contender, Floyd Schofield,” the WBA said in a statement statement.

“The pioneering organization sent a formal notice to both camps this Saturday, May 23, granting the parties a 30-day negotiation period, which expires on June 22.”

The WBA also warned that if the parties fail to reach an agreement, a purse auction may be ordered in accordance with its regulations.

Schofield’s father, Floyd Schofield Sr., seems to already understand his son’s situation. Rather than publicly attack Davis or try to drag him into a fight, he has taken a softer approach in interviews, insisting that his son’s value increases even after a loss to a star like Tank.

Some fans consider this a well-thought-out strategy. Davis has ignored risky opponents before, including repeated calls on Shakur Stevenson. Schofield’s team may believe the best way to secure the fight is to avoid antagonizing one of boxing’s biggest attractions.

If Tank agrees to the fight, it will certainly be the biggest opportunity of Schofield’s career. It would also mark a risky first outing for Davis after more than 15 months away from the ring.

Tyson Fury has revealed details about his return to the ring this summer.

Two-time world heavyweight champion Fury ended a 16-month retirement in April when he faced Arslanbek Makhmudov at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.

It was the ‘Gypsy King”s first appearance in action since his back-to-back losses to Oleksandr Usyk in 2024, but Fury was able to get back to winning ways with a dominant unanimous decision win over the Russian.

Following the victory, Fury called up Anthony Joshua for a long-awaited showdown later this year, and while it wasn’t officially announced that night, it was confirmed that both men plan to battle in tardy 2026.

Before that can happen, Joshua must first defeat Kristian Prenga in July in Riyad, Saudi Arabia, and with ‘AJ’ having had a warm-up fight earlier, Fury also revealed his intentions to compete again in the break before turning his attention to his British rival.

“The Gypsy King” has now announced when this interim fight will take place post on social media.

“Let’s go, August 1, Dublin, Ireland.”

Fury’s promoter Frank Warren already has an event scheduled in Dublin in August where Pierce O’Leary will meet Mark Chamberlain for the IBO super lightweight title, so the announcement of “The Gypsy King” suggests he will be added to that card.

No opponent for this fight has been confirmed yet, but Warren stated earlier this week that it would be a “good heavyweight fight.”