Wladmir Klitschko will not fight Anthony Joshua, opts for retirement

Wladmir Klitschko has announced his retirement from professional boxing, putting an end to talks of a potential rematch with world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua.

Joshua, 27, had hoped Klitschko would sign his rematch clause for a fight in Las Vegas in November.

But Klitschko, who made a video explaining his decision, said, “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.”

Front line boxing promoter Eddie Hearns, who was in charge of the first fight, wished him well on his future ventures.

“I heard the news this morning from Bernd Boente that Wladimir Klitschko has decided to retire from boxing. We wish him all the success,” he wrote on Twitter.

I heard the news this morning from Bernd Boente that Wladimir Klitschko has decided to retire from boxing. We wish him all the success 👊🏼

— Eddie Hearn (@EddieHearn) August 3, 2017

Klitschko held the unified heavyweight title from 2006-2015 before losing to Tyson Fury.

During the course of his 27-year career, he was defeated only five times, recording 64 wins.