By 
Wladimir Klitschko has resigned from boxing, slaughtering any expectation of a rematch with heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua.
The Ukrainian was beaten by Joshua in a heavyweight blockbuster back in April and the Brit was peering toward another enormous session in Las Vegas on November 11.
Be that as it may, the 41-year-old Klitschko has discharged a video to affirm his choice to call time on his 21-year vocation in the ring.
Sportsmail columnist
Eddie Hearn, Joshua’s promoter, confirmed the Brit must now fight his mandatory
IBF challenger Kubrat Pulev in his next fight following the announcement.
Eddie Hearn, Joshua’s promoter, confirmed the Brit must now fight his mandatory
IBF challenger Kubrat Pulev in his next fight following the announcement.
‘I had a call last night
saying he was retiring,’ Hearn told talkSPORT.
saying he was retiring,’ Hearn told talkSPORT.
‘Contractually Klitschko
had to take the rematch unless he retired or decided against it.
had to take the rematch unless he retired or decided against it.
We have been working on
it with people in Las Vegas two or three months. We were gearing up for an
announcement shortly.
it with people in Las Vegas two or three months. We were gearing up for an
announcement shortly.
‘We’ll focus our
attention on [mandatory IBF challenger] Kubrat Pulev. When we got the agreement
with Klitsckho it was under the provision we’d fight Pulev if it didn’t
happen.’
attention on [mandatory IBF challenger] Kubrat Pulev. When we got the agreement
with Klitsckho it was under the provision we’d fight Pulev if it didn’t
happen.’
The heavyweight legend hangs up his gloves with the stellar record of 64-5-0.
‘Dr Steelhammer’ ruled the division throughout the 2000s, holding the IBF, WBA,
WBO and IBO titles.
‘Dr Steelhammer’ ruled the division throughout the 2000s, holding the IBF, WBA,
WBO and IBO titles.
Klitschko burst onto the
scene when he claimed gold in the 1996 Olympics in the super-heavyweight class.
scene when he claimed gold in the 1996 Olympics in the super-heavyweight class.
He claimed his first
professional belt just two years later, knocking out Marcus McIntyre, and set
about making his mark in the new millennium.
professional belt just two years later, knocking out Marcus McIntyre, and set
about making his mark in the new millennium.
Klitschko retained his
IBF belt for a remarkable nine years and seven months between 2006 and 2015,
the second-longest of all time behind Joe Louis.
IBF belt for a remarkable nine years and seven months between 2006 and 2015,
the second-longest of all time behind Joe Louis.
But the former
heavyweight champ stated he is ready to move on from boxing and is looking to
the next stage of his career.
heavyweight champ stated he is ready to move on from boxing and is looking to
the next stage of his career.
‘I was, and am still
capable of doing all this because of the global appeal of sport and boxing, my
own talent and most importantly because of you, my loyal fans,’ Klitschko said.
capable of doing all this because of the global appeal of sport and 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 couriers and get ourselves ready
for the next chapter and chart. Any course towards fresh challenges.
lives we need to, or just want to, switch our couriers and get ourselves ready
for the next chapter and chart. Any course towards fresh challenges.
‘Finally instead of just
saying thanks and goodbye I want you to continue to follow me on my new and
exciting journey.’
saying thanks and goodbye I want you to continue to follow me on my new and
exciting journey.’
