Former WBA, IBF, and WBO world heavyweight champion, Wladimir Klitschko, has announced his retirement from boxing.

The 41-year-old retirement ends rematch talks with British boxer, Anthony Joshua, who knocked out the Ukrainian in the 11th round at Wembley in April.

In his retirement video posted on his official website before it crashed, Klitschko said: “I have achieved everything I dreamed of, and now I want to start my second career after sports,”

“I would have never imagined that I would have such a long and incredibly successful boxing career,”

In his 21 years illustrious career, Wladimir Klitschko fought in 69 bouts, losing just 5 matches, with 64 wins and 53 Knockouts.

The statement continues: “Twenty-seven years ago I started my journey in sport. It was the best choice of a profession I could have made. Because of this choice, I have traveled the world, learned new languages, created business, built intellectual properties, helped people in need.

“At some point in our lives we need to switch our careers and get ourselves ready for the next chapter – obviously I am not an exception to this.

“I am expecting and hoping my next career, which I have already been planning and working on for some years, will be at least as successful as the previous one, if not more successful.”

Klitschko, who also won an Olympic gold medal in Atlanta 1996 before turning professional, went 11 year’s unbeaten en route winning WBA, IBF and WBO world heavyweight titles.