Former boxing heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko has retired from the sport.
Klitschko was expected to fight heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua in a rematch from their fight earlier this year, but that fight will no longer take place.
This week, Klitschko released a statement regarding his retirement from boxing.
“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.”
Klitschko also released a video talking about his departure from the sport.
“Twenty-seven years ago I started my journey in sport. It was the best choice of a profession I could have made. Because of this choice, I have traveled the world, learned new languages, created business, built intellectual properties, helped people in need,” Klitschko said.
“At some point in our lives, we need to switch our careers and get ourselves ready for the next chapter.
“I am expecting and hoping my next career, which I have already been planning and working on for some years, will be at least as successful as the previous one, if not more successful.”
