Wladimir Klitschko holds a PHD in Sports Science and speaks five languages fluently, so it's hardly surprising the Ukrainian heavyweight great's attempted mind games ahead of his IBF World heavyweight title fight with Anthony Joshua were of the intellectual variety.
The 41-year-old former long-reigning heavyweight champ [64-4, 53 KOs] produced a potentially iconic moment at today's final press conference for his fight with the British star, revealing a USB stick to the assembled media.
They and Anthony Joshua were equally perplexed, until Klitschko revealed an elaborate but admirable scheme to raise funds for his children's charity.
I'm not Nostradamus, but on this USB stick, I recorded a video last week, on the outcome of the fight. My prediction, so to say.
This stick is going to be integrated [into] my robe, which I'm going to wear this Saturday night. Sealed.
Do not ask me after the fight what is on this stick. The only person who's going to be able to open it up and watch it is the person who is going to buy this robe with this stick. All the money [is] going to go to the Klitschko Foundation, for the kids, to support education and sport.
Wladimir Klitschko USB gag during final presser
The 27-year-old Joshua, meanwhile, maintained that he'd been there and seen it before, telling Sky Sports:
Joshua: Honestly, it took me back to the time I fought Kevin Johnson, believe it or not. We can only speak from experience. Kevin Johnson was in the press conference, and he was like: 'You know I got a book, man, and they gonna be sellin' it on Amazon for $1.99. It's got the blueprint on how I'm going to beat Anthony Joshua. And I was like, 'WOAH!'
Reporter: Did you have a read?
Joshua: It didn't happen, it didn't release, because he got knocked out!
Were Klitschko to roll back the years and derail heavyweight boxing's new knockout king-in-waiting, that USB stick would be in seriously high demand.
You can support the Klitschko Foundation here.
