Wladimir Klistchkow Announces Retirement, Bows Out Of Blockbuster Rematch With Anthony Joshua

 
 

The veteran star revealed he was hanging up his gloves this morning after 71 bouts and more than two decades as a pro. This means that a current rematch with current heavy weight champion Anthony Joshiua is off.
The 41-year-old, who won Olympic gold at Atlanta, has spent more days as heavyweight champion than anyone else.
The Ukrainian spent 4,383 days as champion across two reigns – making a total of 23 defences.
His 18 consecutive defences in a nine year-seven month spell is the second-most of all-time, trailing only Joe Louis.
Klitschko released a statement signalling his intention to hang up his gloves.
But his website broke down under the volume of traffic, meaning the statement could not immediately be read.

Klitschko's full statement as he retires

"Twenty-seven years ago I started my journey in sport, and it was the best choice of a profession I could have ever made.
"Because of this choice, I travelled the world, learned new languages, created business, built intellectual properties, helped people in need.
"Became a scientist, entrpreneur, motivator, hotelier, trainer, investor and much else.
"I was, and I still am, capable of doing all this because of the global appeal of sport and boxing, my own talent and most importantly because of you: my loyal fans.
"At some point in our lives we need to, or just want to, switch our careers and get ourselves ready for the next chapter - a new course and fresh challenges. "Obviously, I'm not an exception to this and now it's my turn.
"I'm honestly doing this with greatest respect for these new challenges.
"But also with tremendous excitement, passion, dedication, expecting and hoping that my next career will be at least as successful as my previous one, if not even more successful.
"Finally, instead of just saying, 'hey, thanks and goodbye', I want you to continue joining me in this new and exciting journey.
"When we're together, we're more creative, more efficient, more productive and simply stronger in every way.
"Together we're the driving force."

 https://chidexmikky.blogspot.com/2017/08/wladimir-klistchkow-announces.html