Former world heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko has announced his retirement from boxing, ending the prospect of a rematch with British-Nigerian Anthony Joshua.
Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn had pencilled in a November 11 date for a Joshua-Klitschko rematch following April’s bout.
However, that fight will go down in history as the Ukrainian’s last after 21 years of professional boxing.
A statement from Klitschko, who had fought 69 fights, read: “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.”
