Wladimir Klitschko retires from boxing Wladimir Klitschko will not fight Anthony Joshua in rematch

Former heavyweight world champion Wladimir Klitschko has decided to retire from boxing - ruling out a potential rematch with Britain's Anthony Joshua.

The Ukrainian, 41, was knocked out in the 11th round by current champion Joshua at Wembley Stadium in April and the Brit was eyeing another colossal bout in Las Vegas on November 11

I have achieved everything I dreamed of, and now I want to start my second career after sports," said Klitschko.

The two-time former champion, who held the unified title from 2006-2015 before losing to Joshua's fellow Briton Tyson Fury, ends his 21-year-old career with a record of 64 wins and five defeats.

I would have never imagined that I would have such a long and incredibly successful boxing career," he added.

Klitschko burst onto the scene when he claimed gold in the 1996 Olympic games in the super-heavyweight class.

He claimed his first professional belt just two years later, knocking out Marcus McIntyre, and set about making his mark in the new millennium. He ruled the division throughout the 2000s, holding the IBF, WBA, WBO and IBO titles.

Following the announcement, Joshua must now fight his mandatory IBF challenger Kubrat Pulev in his next fight.