KIEV, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- Ukrainian two-time heavyweight world boxing champion Wladimir Klitschko announced on Thursday that he has ended the 27-year sports career.
"As an amateur and a professional boxer, I have achieved everything that I dreamed of, and now I want to start my second post-sport career," Klitschko said in a statement on his official website.
With an announcement, Klitschko has abandoned the much-anticipated rematch for the IBF, IBO and WBA heavyweight world titles against British boxer Anthony Joshua.
Klitschko, 41, started amateur boxing career in 1990 and became an Olympic champion during the 1996 Olympic Games, shortly before moving to the professional sports.
During his 21-year professional career, Klitschko has won 64 out of 69 fights, taking the titles of the IBF, IBO, WBO and WBA.
