Wladimir Klitschko, Hayden Panettiere, Shannon Briggs & Kubrat Pulev: Engagement & Baby To Make Retiring Wlad Lose Focus & World Titles?

In a matter of days Wladimir Klitschko will face Kubrat Pulev, but he also has Shannon Briggs and wife-to-be Hayden Panettiere to worry about. Briggs has been borderline stalking the world champion, demanding a fight. The soon-to-be-retiring champion is engaged to Hayden, and has a baby on the way, so one would forgive him if his mind was elsewhere. He seems reluctant to walk away, making many wonder if he will have to be forced out of the boxing ring. Could a minor slip up against Pulev or Briggs be that reason? You never know, but Pulev is likely to be his toughest opponent in a long, long time.

Briggs has been taunting Klitschko, and recently said "I'm the real champ. The world wants to see the Klitschko-Briggs fight. I'll knock Klitschko's teeth out."

However, Wlad insisted "I really couldn't care less what he does. I will just concentrate on the fight."

Wlad has Pulev on his mind. However, as we all know, planning a wedding and a baby's birth can be very tiring and very distracting. With the long line of contenders that have, and will come Wlad's way, he has always had to be in tip-top condition, paying attention to every little detail. But could his personal matters intervene, stopping him from being the near unbeatable fighter he's been for so many years?

Will Pulev beat Wlad, and if not, who will beat the dad-to-be? It's going to be an interesting year or two in the champion's life, but he'd best bring his a-game.