Wladimir Klitschko Out Until at Least Early 2017 Due to Calf Injury

It looks like it will be even longer before former undisputed heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko will be able to climb back into the ring in an effort to redeem what has been a dreadful 2016.

Klitschko (64-4, 53 KOs) dropped a 12-round unanimous decision to Tyson Fury last November but the Ukrainian has not yet had a chance to get back on track. An initial rematch with Fury was postponed in June when Fury reportedly suffered an injured ankle in training. After several weeks, the second go-around was slated for November but in mid-October, the U.K. fighter pulled out again, this time for failing a pre-fight drug screen and eventually entering treatment for cocaine abuse.

From there, Klitschko targeted a Dec. 10 date with either Anthony Joshua or Lucas Browne for pieces of the unified titles, but it was revealed on Tuesday that the 40-year-old future Hall of Famer has suffered an injury to his calf. There is no timetable to when Klitschko will be able to return, but reports state that he could be out until at least March or April.