By Edward Chaykovsky

WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder (37-0, 36KOs) is getting ready for the next defense of his career, which takes place on February 25th in his backyard of Alabama against Poland’s Andrzej Wawrzyk, who is ranked number 12 by the WBC.

It will be Wilder's first fight since suffering injuries to his right hand and bicep during a July knockout of Chris Arreola.

The short-term goal for Wilder is to fight the winner of the April 29th Wembley collision between Anthony Joshua and Wladimir Klitschko, who battle for the IBF, IBO, WBA heavyweight titles.

Klitschko is the most experienced and the most talented opponent of Joshua's young career. Joshua came to the ring earlier this month and easily demolished Eric Molina in three rounds - but Klitschko is several levels above Molina.

There are some questions on whether or not Klitschko has seen his best days. By the time he fights Joshua, he will be 41-years-old. He's been inactive since losing to a twelve round decision to Tyson Fury in November of 2015. It was Klitschko first loss in over a decade and one of the biggest upsets in the last few years.  

“Joshua is at the top level, and my heart tells me he will beat Klitschko. I still believe that father time is at Klitschko’s door but I think he still has a little bit left in him. It was an embarrassment that he got beat by Tyson Fury. You’re looking at a champion who ruled the division for a decade and all of a sudden you get a loss. Just describing it in my situation, being undefeated, if I had a loss my heart would go to my stomach so I imagine if I was champion for a decade? It would be the lowest feeling of the low," Wilder told Matt Christie of Boxing News.

A few years ago Klitschko used Joshua as a sparring partner. Wilder believes Joshua's past experience with Klitschko will only make him more confident in the contest.

"AJ is young, strong and just as tall and most of the time in those situations the young guy prevails. Sometimes when you get dethroned, it’s best to stay away. The young guy is fresh, he’s studied you, he knows every move that you have. So you may think that you still have it, but your body and mind is too slow. It’s going to be an interesting fight. Overall, it’s good for the division, I’m glad this fight is happening, and make sure you all look forward to see me take on the winner," Wilder said.