He has a contract with HBO, people. He's not going to retire if he loses again. I think he'd be down to 2 or 3 more fights. I totally forgot how many fights it was for, but he's not done with his contract after the Fury fight. He would probably regroup and go for the IBF or WBC belts if they are still fragmented.
I'm not entirely convinced RTL and HBO wants to honor that contract if he loses the rematch, those deals were made when Wlad was a champion and everyone expected him to remain champ throughout the contract. I'm sure there's a clause or two in those contracts. That being said, I believe Wlad still beats every man on the planet not named Tyson Fury, so he could still potentially become world champ again.
He is still prime...jebas. the guy is 40!!! His prime was 8 years ago. He is fighting guys 15 years younger than him.
I'll feel sorry for Waldo if he loses... and retires... all he'll have is about 50 million in the bank... and a few mansions... and Hayden in bikini on a beach towel... so sad... :crying
No way, man. HBO can still make him a champion. He probably beats Povetkin again, and Povetkin is one of those fighters that loves a challenge. He loses to Fury, rematches Povetkin for the WBC, and if Fury loses to, say, Joshua, unification of all the belts for his last or one of his last fights. Lots of possibilities since the division has opened up. I think it was very good for HBO that Klitschko lost.
What's tougher comp for him - early 2000's or 2010's? For 10 years ago the top 10 was: Klitschko Maskaev Peter Toney Briggs Lyakhovich Brewster Valuev Chagaev Ruiz ... Today and near future is a much greater comp! - "Suddenly"...
I didn't say peak though... Jaromir Jagr is 44 and he still plays in the NHL... Edit: And he ended at 21:e place in the scoring - this season.
Wlad was the most boring flat-track bully champion ever. Good riddance. ATG of his own bath time. Everytime he fought someone decent he lost.
If he had been trained properly he would be 68-0. No one could touch this guy. Sorry, but he is better than ALI, LOUIS or MARCIANO. Lewis had a chance. Everyone elso goes bye,bye early. That's my take. I say he KO's Fury with a furious left hook in the 3rd round, just like Ray Austin