Wladimir Klitschko retires from professional boxing despite recent news that he would take on Anthony Joshua for a second time.

The news has come in this morning that Wladimir Klitschko retires from the sport of boxing after a phenomenal career at the top.

Klitschko had previously been slated to take on Britain Anthony Joshua in a rematch in Las Vegas this coming November but the date was always a tentative one – subject to what Wladimir wanted to do.

Obviously the Ukraine man had a change of heart and has decided to hang up the gloves after a stellar career.

Promoter of Anthony Joshua, Eddie Hearn, confirmed the news this morning:

I heard the news this morning from Bernd Boente that Wladimir Klitschko has decided to retire from boxing. We wish him all the success ??

— Eddie Hearn (@EddieHearn) August 3, 2017

Wladimir’s last fight came against Joshua back in April in front of an incredible 90,000 fans at Wembley stadium in London.

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It proved to be one of the very best heavyweight fights in years that saw Klitschko badly hurt Joshua in the contest, to the point of nearly stopping him – only for the Englishman to hold on and come back and stop Klitschko in a heavyweight classic.

Perhaps Wladimir has decided that motivation for a part two is no longer there. Whatever the reason, we wish him nothing but the best.

Wladimir Klitschko was widely considered the dominant heavyweight of his particular era and will retire from professional boxing with a record of 64-5-53KO.

Lets look back at some of his best ever knockouts (hat tip Boxing Legends);