Former heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko has announced his retirement from boxing on Thursday.
Klitschko hangs up his gloves as one of the all-time greats of the ring after a nine-and-a-half year reign as heavyweight champion.
The 41-year-old’s last fight was in April when he was stopped by Anthony Joshua in the 11th round of the WBA title fight at Wembley Stadium in London.
“I have achieved everything I dreamed of, and now I want to start my second career after sports,” said Klitschko.
His retirement dashes a mooted blockbuster rematch with Joshua possibly in Las Vegas in November.
Klitschko, who won super-heavyweight gold at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games, held the unified title from 2006-2015 before losing to Tyson Fury in 2015.
He bows out with a record of 64 wins and five defeats.
Source: ( AFP )