Champion Klitschko eyes Joe Louis heavyweight record

Wladimir Klitschko says he plans to box on for another decade in hisbid to break Joe Louis's record as the longest reigning world heavyweightchampion.The 38-year-old Klitschko, who has been world champion since 2006, defends hisWBA, IBF, WBO and IBO belts in Oberhausen, Germany, on Saturday againstAustralian challenger Alex Leapai.Leapai, 34, has a 30-4-3 career record since turning professional in 2004, whileKlitschko is 61-3 with 51 knock-outs and his last defeat is now a decade ago.Klitschko has said he has no plans to retire and wants to break US boxing legendLouis's record of 12 years as a world heavyweight champion, having been unbeatenbetween 1937 and 1949, with the Ukrainian needing to fight on for four more yearstime until 2018, when he will be 42."I just turned 38, but that's only a number," Klitschko told German daily Die Welt onSunday."I am still extremely hungry and better than ever. A few years ago, I thought Icouldn't improve, but my mission is still a long way from over. I want to box on forten more years."I feel the combination of experience, athletic-ability, technique and strategy makesme the complete professional."Ukraine-born Klitschko admits it is challenging to prepare for his 65th professionalfight with his brother Vitali in the thick of their country's volatile political situationin Kiev."It's a bizarre situation," said Wladimir."My body has been training at the camp in Austria, but my mind is often with my brother and our compatriots in Ukraine." Source: AFP