New parents Hayden Panettiere and Wladimir Klitschko in no rush to wed

Actress Hayden Panettiere and her boxer fiance Wladimir Klitschko are in no rush to wed because the bond the new parents share with their little girl is "better than any marriage".

The Nashville star, 25, gave birth to daughter Kaya in December (14) and proud dad Klitschko admits that although marriage is the next step, they are just living in the "now" so they can enjoy every moment with the newborn.

He tells UsMagazine.com, "Now is for now - when people get married there are different things they promise to each other and I understand the promising part, but I think (having) children is something that connects you until the end of your days no matter what. And I think that Kaya, our daughter, has connected us forever. And that's the most amazing thing.

"Everything else is coming, it's something that needs to be planned... but as I said, the connection with the child is better than any marriage!"

Gushing about fatherhood and his admiration for Panettiere as a mother, the 38-year-old sportsman says, "It changed my life completely. I'm so happy to have Hayden in my life. She's the best mom I could even imagine. She's a true, amazing mom."

And talking about his baby daughter, the boxing giant adds, "She can communicate with her eyes and smile. Even if you're tired and haven't slept enough, when you look at your child's eyes, (it's like), 'For you, little angel, I'm going to do everything! Literally everything.' I don't know what appreciation she's expressing but it's something like, 'Thank you for being here in my life, Dad, and being around.' It's something that gives you a boost of energy."

The couple, which began dating on and off in 2009, became engaged in 2013.