BERLIN: Ukraine’s former world heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko announced his retirement from boxing on Thursday to scupper any hopes of a November rematch against Britain’s undisputed champ Anthony Joshua.
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 in 2015.
Klitschko’s last fight was in April when he was stopped by Anthony 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 in 69 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 traveled the world, learnt new languages, created businesses, built intellectual properties, helped people in need.
“I became a scientist, an entrepeneur, a motivator, a leader, a trainer, an investor and much more.
“I’m still able to do all this because of the global appeal of the sport of boxing.
“At some point in our lives, we need or just want to switch our careers and get ready for the next challenges, I’m no exception.
“Now it is my turn, I’m honestly doing this with respect for the new challenges and also with tremendous excitement, passion and dedication.
“I am expecting and hoping that my next career, which I have been planning and working on for a few years, will be at least as successful as my old one,” he added without giving details.
![]()
Boxing: Wladimir Klitschko announces his retirement
Boxing: Wladimir Klitschko announces his retirement
Medvedev battles into Melbourne third round after early scare
- Feisty Russian keeps his cool in the sunshine to beat Quentin Halys of France 6-7 (9/11), 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 in just over three hours
MELBOURNE: Three-time runner-up Daniil Medvedev survived an early scare on Wednesday before battling into the Australian Open third round.
The feisty Russian kept his cool in the sunshine to beat Quentin Halys of France 6-7 (9/11), 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 in just over three hours.
The former world number one and 11th seed faces Fabian Marozsan of Hungary next at Melbourne Park.
“It was a very tough match, happy I managed to fight,” said Medvedev, who polished off the match in style with his 14th ace.
“Happy to play some good tennis to win. I still cannot get used exactly to the court and still am missing a little power in my shots.
“But definitely playing better, feeling good.”
The first set against 83rd-ranked Halys was an almighty battle stretching over 68 minutes.
Halys eventually pulled through on the 20th point of a marathon tiebreak, then immediately put pressure on Medvedev’s serve at the start of the second.
The Frenchman duly broke and Medvedev, who has vowed to be more “positive” on court, gave the first fleeting signs of losing his cool.
The 29-year-old, the beaten finalist in 2021, 2022 and 2024, reset and straight away broke back with a terrific two-handed backhand down the line.
The 2021 US Open champion rattled off three games in a row to lead 3-2 and was firmly in the ascendancy as he took the second and third sets to turn the screw on the flagging 29-year-old Halys, before racing away in the fourth.
Medvedev, whose record was poor at the Grand Slams last year, warmed up for another crack at the Melbourne Park title by winning the Brisbane International.
“I need to rebuild my confidence step by step,” Medvedev admitted, referring to his poor recent record in majors.
“Just trying to enjoy it and play some good tennis.”
The feisty Russian kept his cool in the sunshine to beat Quentin Halys of France 6-7 (9/11), 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 in just over three hours.
The former world number one and 11th seed faces Fabian Marozsan of Hungary next at Melbourne Park.
“It was a very tough match, happy I managed to fight,” said Medvedev, who polished off the match in style with his 14th ace.
“Happy to play some good tennis to win. I still cannot get used exactly to the court and still am missing a little power in my shots.
“But definitely playing better, feeling good.”
The first set against 83rd-ranked Halys was an almighty battle stretching over 68 minutes.
Halys eventually pulled through on the 20th point of a marathon tiebreak, then immediately put pressure on Medvedev’s serve at the start of the second.
The Frenchman duly broke and Medvedev, who has vowed to be more “positive” on court, gave the first fleeting signs of losing his cool.
The 29-year-old, the beaten finalist in 2021, 2022 and 2024, reset and straight away broke back with a terrific two-handed backhand down the line.
The 2021 US Open champion rattled off three games in a row to lead 3-2 and was firmly in the ascendancy as he took the second and third sets to turn the screw on the flagging 29-year-old Halys, before racing away in the fourth.
Medvedev, whose record was poor at the Grand Slams last year, warmed up for another crack at the Melbourne Park title by winning the Brisbane International.
“I need to rebuild my confidence step by step,” Medvedev admitted, referring to his poor recent record in majors.
“Just trying to enjoy it and play some good tennis.”
Latest updates
© 2026 SAUDI RESEARCH & PUBLISHING COMPANY, All Rights Reserved And subject to Terms of Use Agreement.