Intro:

WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko will make the fourteenth world title defence against German-based Italian southpaw Francesco Pianeta in Mannheim, Germany on May 4th.

Script:

WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko will make his fourteenth world title defence against Italian cancer survivor Francesco Pianeta in Mannheim, Germany in May.

In a press conference on Wednesday Klitschko was keen to brush off off criticism over the standard of his recent challengers.

"Well, I'm getting always criticised with my opponents, it doesn't matter are they well known or not so much and it's always very difficult to fight against someone that is not known because you are always getting these critics. But I have to assure you that (the) fight against Francesco Pianeta is going to be very, very tough and difficult because he is super motivated. He won the biggest fight of his life and that's the fight against cancer"

Andhe 36 year old champion also insisted that the 'R word' isn't in his thoughts just yet.

"Well, I feel young enough to not think about it, about retirement. And, of course, I'm looking forward to get a challenge, that's my motivation and of course. Of course, I mean I understand there is... this competition never stops and as long as I'm healthy and motivated I will continue to do the job that I have been doing"

Francesco Pianeta has won eight fights in a row since he recovered from cancer in 2010, but has never faced an opponent quite like Klitschko who has won 59 bouts in his professional career.

"Sure it will be the biggest experience (of my life), but not the biggest fight that I have already won, that was against cancer. But still I am looking very much forward to this fight I am highly motivated and it will be a fantastic spectacle."

The big fight will take place on May the 4th, as Pianeta looks to become the first fighter to defeat the Ukranian in almost a decade.