I caused the defeat my brother suffered at the hands of Anthony Joshua, with wrong advice -Vitali Klitschko laments
By Rita Chioma,
Vitali Klitschko, the brother of Boxing Champion, Wladimir, says he blames himself for his brother’s defeat at the hands of Anthony Joshua at Wembley.
He admits he is plagued by guilt about his brother Wladimir’s defeat by Anthony Joshua after offering the “wrong advice” in the corner at Wembley.
The Ukrainian appeared on the brink of a dramatic victory when he floored Joshua in the sixth round of the world heavyweight title fight, but the home favourite fought back to produce a stunning stoppage win in the 11th round.
Vitali was part of Wladimir’s coaching team and bitterly regrets his decision to demand a cautious approach from his younger brother after he badly hurt Joshua.
He told Boxingscene.com: “Immediately after the fight, we were barely speaking. We do not need to talk, it was just enough to look into each other’s eyes. Only in the locker room, I thanked him for one of the best fights of his career.
I know how important this fight was for him and unfortunately, we saw what happened. In the heavyweight division, each punch can be decisive. I advised Wladimir not to rush anything. I had hoped that after the seventh, the eighth round, Joshua would really slow down.
When Wladimir almost knocked Joshua out, I gave him the wrong advice. I was positive that Joshua, with his huge muscle mass, would not be able to last [the distance]. Now I think that maybe it was a mistake, maybe it was necessary to finish him off sooner.”
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