Vitali Klitschko: “I don't want to break the record of George Foreman, but 40 isn't old.”

Heavyweight great Vitali Klitschko is tired of people worrying about his age. Though the 40-year old Russian certainly has fewer fights ahead of him than behind, an eleven-fight winning streak including eight in a row since returning to the ring in 2008 should be enough to silence the critics.

And yet they remain.

Klitschko addressed their unfounded concerns at a press conference yesterday promoting his upcoming bout with Dereck Chisora where he explained, “I am 40 but I feel 25. I am in great condition, great form and have great experience.”

“The main thing in life is experience, in all jobs and also in boxing,” he continued. “I have defended my title against many styles. I don’t want to break the record of George Foreman, but 40 isn’t old. I’ll show that.”

The two lock up on February 18 in Munich, Germany with the WBC Heavyweight Championship on the line. Klitschko holds an overall record of 43-2 with his latest fight involving a September stoppage against Tomasz Adamek, while Chisora is a 15-2 African who fell by controversial Split Decision in his previous in-ring appearance.

PHOTO CREDIT – EPA