Joshua can respond to Usyk defeat, says Klitschko

Wladimir Klitschko says Anthony Joshua “can still have his time” after he was dethroned by Oleksandr Usyk last Saturday.

Usyk outclassed Joshua at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, earning a unanimous points decision to win the IBF, WBA and WBO world heavyweight titles.

Joshua is set to face the unbeaten Ukrainian in a rematch following the second defeat of his career. Brit Joshua said he has “learned his lesson” from the loss to Usyk, two years after Andy Ruiz Jr sensationally stopped him at Madison Square Garden.

Klitschko was beaten by Corrie Sanders and Lamon Brewster in 2003 and 2004 respectively but responded by going 11 years without defeat.

The former world heavyweight champion, who lost to Joshua in the final fight of his career, says his former rival can put his latest setback behind him.

“We have seen AJ challenged,” he told Sky Sports.

“I remember my time. I lost two fights within (13 months). To bounce back. To eventually become one of the longest reigning champions.

“AJ can still have his time, absolutely. It is all about how to overcome the challenge.”

Klitschko was not surprised to see his compatriot Usyk become a heavyweight champion for the first time.

“Since 2012, I watched Usyk winning his (Olympic) gold and I watched AJ winning his gold.

“Usyk has been undefeated for such a long time, winning all the titles as a cruiserweight and now with the heavyweights. This man is something special.”