Wladlmir Klitschko announces retirement to end hope of Anthony Joshua rematch
Wladimir Klitschko has decided the time is right to hang up his gloves.
The heavyweight legend announced his retirement on Thursday morning to end hope of a rematch with British fighter, Anthony Joshua.
Klitschko brings the curtain down on a illustrious career where he reigned as world champion for almost ten years.
Tyson Fury ended an unbeaten run stretching eleven years in 2015 before Joshua inflicted another defeat on the Ukrainian in April.
It was believed that the heavyweight pair would fight again after a war at Wembley, but Klitschko has confirmed his retirement.
Klitschko made his professional debut in November 1996 and would go on to be beaten just five times in a 69-fight career.
The 41-year-old became the undisputed heavyweight world champion in 2011 when he added the WBA (Super) title to his IBF, WBO, IBO, The Ring, and lineal straps.
‘Twenty-seven years ago I started my journey in sport and it was the best choice of a profession I could have ever made,’ he 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.
Statement in full
‘Twenty-seven years ago I started my journey in sport and it was the best choice of a profession I could have ever made.
‘Because of this choice I’ve travelled the world, learned new languages, created businesses, learned intellectual properties, helped people in need, became a scientist, entrepreneur, motivator, hotelier trainer, investor, and much else.
‘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. 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.
‘Obviously I am not an exception to this and now is my turn. I’m honestly doing this with the greatest respect for the new challengers.
‘But also with tremendous excitement, passion, dedication expecting and hoping that my next career, which I’ve already been planning and working on for some years, will be at least as successful as my previous one.
‘If not even more successful. Finally instead of just saying, hey thanks and goodbye, I want you to continue to join me in this new and exciting journey.
‘When we’re together we’re more creative, more efficient, more productive and simply stronger in every way. Together we’re the driving force.’
