Former heavy weight world champion Wladimir Klitschko has today announced his retirement from boxing, after 17 years as a pro.
The announcement ruled out the possibility of the proposed rematch with Anthony Joshua, which had been touted since Joshua’s defeat of Klitschko on April 29.
The fight with Joshua could have gone either way, which was great credit to the 41-year-old, who was only defeated in the 11th round.
Joshua was hopeful of Klitschko signing a rematch clause for a proposed fight in Las Vegas on November 11.
Wow! So many people interested in my statement. Server broke down. So look here…https://t.co/iZnjFtxHeT
— Klitschko (@Klitschko) August 3, 2017
When officially announcing his retirement, the Ukrainian said: “I have achieved everything I dreamed of, and now I want to start my second career after sports.
“I would have never imagined that I would have such a long and incredibly successful boxing career.
“Twenty-seven years ago I started my journey in sport. It was the best choice of a profession I could have made. Because of this choice I have travelled the world, learned new languages, created business, built intellectual properties, helped people in need.
“At some point in our lives we need to switch our careers and get ourselves ready for the next chapter – obviously I am not an exception to this.
“I am expecting and hoping my next career, which I have already been planning and working on for some years, will be at least as successful as the previous one, if not more successful.”
Klitschko retires on the back of a 64 wins and 5 defeats, and was the heavyweight champion for 11 years straight between 2006-2015.
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