Former world heavyweight boxing champion, Wladimir Klitschko has retired from the sport that launched him into fame.
Klitschko’s retirement was announced in a video posted on his website.
This puts an end to talk of a much-anticipated rematch with Britain’s Anthony Joshua who defeated Klitschko at Wembley Stadium last April.
Ukraine born Klitschko, 41, lost only five of his 69 fights and retained his IBF heavyweight title for close to a decade.
Klitschko won the super heavyweight Olympic gold at Atlanta 1996 and ruled over the heavyweight division until his unexpected defeat to Tyson Fury in 2015.
“I was, and am still capable of, doing all this because of the global appeal of the sport of boxing, my own talent, and most importantly because of you, my loyal fans.” Klitschko said.
“At some point in our lives we need to, or just want to, switch our careers and get ourselves ready for the next chapter and chart a new course towards fresh challenges.”
Now, the World heavyweight boxing champion, Anthony Joshua can travel to Las Vegas to watch the Floyd Mayweather Vs Conor McGregor fight. A potential rematch was going to make Joshua miss the battle.
Klitschko and Joshua had been expected to square up on November 11 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
