Klitschko vs Fury: Wladimir Klitschko urges Deontay Wilder to face sterner opposition

Wladimir Klitschko has urged fellow world heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder to start fighting better opponents.

WBA Super, WBO and IBF king Klitschko, who takes on the unbeaten Tyson Fury on October 24 - live on Sky Sports Box Office - knows the American from his training camps and believes he needs to start risking his WBC belt against some bigger names.

In an interview reported on boxingscene.com the 39-year-old Ukrainian (64-3-KO53) said of Wilder, who takes on Johann Duhaupas (32-2-KO20) on September 26: "Of course I'm observing who is doing what, especially with Deontay Wilder.

"He was in my training camp. We know each other well. And I just also wish that [while] he's in position, he's going to do better [in picking opponents].

"I also, on the other hand, understand that it's not his fault. Obviously he doesn't have the influence with his manager and promoter, where they make the decisions and make the calls for him, what to do in this case. So he's not picking those guys.

Obviously he doesn't have the influence with his manager and promoter, where they make the decisions and make the calls for him.

"Of course, he's getting criticised certainly because he's fighting those guys. So I think it has to do with his management. I believe he just needs to have some influence on them and they'll probably guide his career the way he wants it as well.

"I've been in this situation with my first and last promoter, Klaus-Peter Kohl, in my life. I remember I was not picking my opponents out.

"It was somebody put in the ring with me and I had to fight him. I didn't have any power through the contract to change anything much. But obviously we're facing the same thing with Wilder and his promoter and manager.

"What do I think about Wilder? I think he's extremely talented. I think he's an outstanding athlete and that knockout percentage speaks for itself. But of course I would love to see him with different opposition, with different opponents as well."

Wilder, 29, won his world title when he dethroned Bermane Stivern in January on points - the only one of his 34 opponents he has failed to stop - and has since defended his belt against Eric Molina (KO9).