Ukrainian Wladimir Klitschko takes Brit help to defend world titles in Russian match

Ukrainian boxing star Wladimir Klitschko has reportedly taken the help of British boxing aces in a bid to defend his world heavyweight titles against Russian Alexander Povetkin in Moscow on Saturday.

Klitschko is aiming to retain his International Boxing Federation (IBF), World Boxing Association (WBA) and World Boxing Organization (WBO) titles in the fight and has had intensive sparring with the likes of Michael Sprott, Sam Sexton and Dillian Whyte to provide him with useful practice at his Austrian training base.

According to the Daily Star, WBC champion and Wladimir's brother Vitali Klitschko said that his sibling always seems to like British sparring partners, while former British champion Sprott stated that although he does not know why Klitschko chooses British partners while sparring, they have tried their best to help the boxer in his match.

Sprott further said that the three of them are similar in size to Povetkin for which they knew what Klitschko was looking for from them, although he warned Klitschko that he could be the latest boxer on the wrong end of a dodgy verdict as he might have to knock out Povetkin to get a decision in Russia.

The Ukraine vs. Russia battle has captured wide interest with Russian president Vladimir Putin expected to be ringside, the report added.