WLADIMIR KLITSCHKO has announced his retirement from boxing with immediate effect.
The Ukrainian, whose last fight was against Anthony Joshua at Wembley in April, goes down as one of the finest heavyweights in history having ruled the division for most of the 2000s.
The 41-year-old former world heavyweight champion had been considering a lucrative rematch with Joshua but instead will bow out on April’s dramatic defeat by the IBF and WBA champion.
Joshua is likely to instead fight mandatory challenger Kubrat Pulev, of Bulgaria.
Wow! So many people interested in my statement. Server broke down. So look here…https://t.co/iZnjFtxHeT
— Klitschko (@Klitschko) August 3, 2017
In a statement, Klitschko said: “I deliberately took a few weeks to make my decision, to make sure I had enough distance from the fight at Wembley Stadium.
“As an amateur and a professional boxer, 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. I’m very thankful for this.
“Thanks to everyone who has always supported me. Especially my family, my team and my many fans.”
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