Boxing legend Wladimir Klitschko has argued that Anthony Joshua is a "superior athlete" and will unify the heavyweight division.
Joshua, 30, became a two-time unified heavyweight champ after he avenged his only defeat to Andy Ruiz Jr last December.
And the Brit superstar, who defeated Klitschko in their 2017 blockbuster fight, has been vocal about his desire to become undisputed champion.
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According to Klitschko, 'AJ' has been carrying the "torch of this image of a heavyweight champion perfectly."
The 43-year-old Ukrainian told the National: "Anthony is there, he bounced back, he's going to get better through the negative experience with Ruiz and we'll see.
"By the end of the year, we might have a unified champion with all the belts. Styles make fights exciting or not. Joshua is a superior athlete, great fighter, Olympic champion.
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"Most importantly, he's a great guy, who carries the torch of this image of a heavyweight champion perfectly. I'm proud to call him as a friend, even though we were [rivals].
"And I think and I wish that eventually Joshua is going to unify all of the belts. That's the eventual plan.
"But until then, there's going to be some bumps on the road. So let's just lean back and enjoy it."
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Joshua is scheduled to return to action against IBF mandatory challenger Kubrat Pulev.
According to Eddie Hearn, the fight is expected to take place in June and either Tottenham or Arsenal could have their stadiums host the event.
The 40-year-old Matchroom chief has also admitted that he is looking at ways to set up a long-awaited unification clash.
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Hearn claims that he could offer a purse split to the winner of Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder to set up a fight with 'AJ.'
"For once I agree with my esteemed colleague Mr [Frank] Warren: the winner has to fight Anthony Joshua, there's no doubt about it," he told talkSPORT.
"Fury is talking a brilliant game for this fight and he's an excellent self-promoter. The fact is, we have made offers to Fury and Wilder of 60/40 way before they were actually as relevant as they are now and they both turned it down, so we have been actively trying to make this fight, we've been round the houses, it's been talked about for ages.
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"Sixty-forty to both and they wanted 50/50 when they weren't as relevant as they are now. Like I said in an interview the other day, maybe we will have to make that offer next but there's no point talking about a deal until that fight is over, but when that fight is over we have got to get it made."
Klitschko has revealed that he is backing former foe Fury to beat Wilder in their rematch on 22nd February.
Featured Image Credit: PATopics: Dr Steelhammer, AJ, Boxing News, Anthony Joshua, Boxing, Wladimir Klitschko
