Wladimir Klitschko, the heavyweight champion of the world, was trying to rescue a news conference that was supposed to be promoting a title bout at Madison Square Garden.

Save for a few camera clicks, the room was quiet when he stepped to the microphone.

“Guys, you are lame,” Klitschko said, smiling. “We’re not at a funeral.”

The line drew a few laughs. Klitschko stretched out his arms and greeted New York the way that he would have liked to be welcomed. Over the next eight minutes, he spoke about his love of New York and the significance of fighting at the Garden. Klitschko, who holds a doctorate in sports science from the University of Kiev, could have been across town at the United Nations delivering an impassioned plea for his native Ukraine.

In Europe, Klitschko fights fill soccer stadiums. But he has trouble selling out the Garden despite a 63-3 record with 54 knockouts and 17 successful heavyweight championship defenses, the third-highest career total.