Former heavyweight world champion Wladmir Klitschko has announced his retirement from boxing on Thursday and will not rematch against Britain’s Anthony Joshua. He said he had waited several weeks before making his decision, to make sure he had as much distance as possible after his fight against Joshua.
This decision ends an era in which the only name Klitschko guaranteed that one of the fights of the year would be witnessed. At their summit, Wladimir and his brother Vitali held all the major belts.
Klitschko left the ring with a 64-5 record, including 53 wins by KO, in a professional career that began after his gold medal at the Olympic Games in Atalanta, in 1996.
The 41-year-old has lost his titles for the first time to Tyson Fury in 2015. He has tried to take over the WBA and IBF to Anthony Joshua last April, but he failed after 11th round.
“Whether it’s amateur or professionals, I’ve achieved all my dreams. And now I want to focus on my second career,” Klitschko said in a statement.
“I would have never imagined that I would have such a long and incredibly successful boxing career,” the Ukranian added.
As an amateur boxing enthusiast in his youth, klitschko has gone to the professional after the Atlanta Games. His professional debut came quickly, with 16 victories in 13 montsh.
Wladimir Klitschko punches Anthony Joshua in their super fights last April. (Source:www.skysports.com)
He captured a first world title in 2000, beating Chris Boyd for the WBO champion. Six months earlier, Boyd had delighted the title to his brother.
Defeats to Corrie Sanders in 2003 and Lamon Brewster in 2004, raised doubts about Klitschko’s ability to box the highest level. He silenced his detractors with an 11-year undefeated squaence, including punctuated victories against aspirants Ruslan Chagaev and David Haye.
Wladimir helped his brother Vitali when he went into politics, addressing crowds alongside his fiance actress Hayden Panettiere, during anti-government demonstrations in Ukraine in 2013 and Vitali has since become Mayor of Kiev.
Joshua had hoped Klitschko would sign his rematch clause for a proposed fight in LA on November 11. But Joshua must now face next challenger Kubrat Pulev in the end of this year.
“This may not be the fight fans want to see, but it’s a fight we need to move on better things,” Joshua said.
