Ukraine's Wladimir Klitschko announces his retirement from boxingAugust 3, 2017 - 14:51 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Ukraine's former world heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko announced his retirement from boxing on Thursday, August 3 to scupper any hopes of a November rematch against Britain's Anthony Joshua, AFP reveals. Hamburg-based Klitschko, 41, 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, which was ended in 2015. Klitschko, who won super-heavyweight gold at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games, was the undisputed world champion from 2006-2015, when he held several belts, before finally losing to Britain's Tyson Fury on points two years ago. Klitschko's last fight was in April when he was stopped by Joshua in the 11th round of the WBA title fight at Wembley Stadium in London in a hard-fought bout in which both fighters hit the canvas. Klitschko's retirement dashes a mooted blockbuster rematch with Joshua possibly in Las Vegas in November. Such was the interest in Klitschko's announcement that the demand crashed his website on Thursday morning. "After my last fight against Anthony Joshua, I deliberately took the time to make a decision," said Klitschko, whose elder brother Vitali, 46, is also a former world heavyweight boxing champion. "I never thought I'd have such a long and incredibly successful boxing career, I thank you all from the bottom of my heart," he told his fans in a statement. Klitschko bows out with a record of 64 wins and five defeats with 54 knock-out wins professional bouts. "I have achieved everything I dreamt of, and now I want to start my second career after sports," added Klitschko in a video statement. "27 years ago, I started my journey and it was the best decision I could have ever made. "Because of this choice, I have travelled the world, learnt new languages, created businesses, built intellectual properties, helped people in need." Photo. AFP/DON EMMERT Top stories Armenian gymnast, Olympic bronze medalist Artur Davtyan has reached the finals of the World Cup. Gor Manvelyan has denied reports alleging that he has expressed a desire to one day play for the French national team. Roma midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan is not considering FC Spartak Moscow as his next haven, according to fresh reports. 10 Armenian lifters will compete in the 2021 World Championships scheduled to be held from 7 to 17 December in Tashkent. Partner news | Armenia, Russia discuss life extension of Metsamor nuclear plant Issues regarding the extension of life of the 2nd power unit of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant were discussed in Yerevan. Armenians stage more campaigns against territorial concessions to Azerbaijan Protesters blocked more roads across Armenia on Friday, April 26 in continuing attempts to scuttle territorial concessions to Azerbaijan. Czech-Armenian military cooperation discussed in Yerevan A delegation led by the Director General for the Industrial Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic visited Armenia. U.S. welcomes efforts to define Armenia-Azerbaijan border The United States welcomes efforts to define the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, says Vedant Patel. |