By Christian Smith
Wladimir Klitschko has retired from boxing “with immediate effect.”
The former heavy weight champion who was to fight Anthony Joshua in a rematch on November 11, made the announcement this morning.
Klitschko who held the unified title from 2006-2015 before losing to Tyson Fury, put an end to a possible rematch against the current heavyweight world champion Joshua,27, who knocked him out in a fight on 29 April, saying: “At some point in our lives we need to, or just want to, switch our carriers and get ourselves ready for the next chapter.
“Obviously I am not an exception to this and now it’s my turn,” he added.
In a video posted this morning, the Ukrainian, 41 spoke about his retirement, said: “Finally instead of just saying thanks and goodbye I want you to continue to follow me on my new and exciting journey.”
Joshua will now face mandatory challenger Kubrat Pulev to keep the IBF belt.
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