Wladimir Klitschko announces his retirement from boxing

Wladimir Klitschko [File photo: baidu.com]

Former heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko has retired from boxing.

The fighter announced his retirement in a video posted on his website. The server crashed because it couldn't handle the number of people trying to view the clip.

"At some point in our lives we need to or just want to switch our careers and get ourselves ready for the next chapter and chart a new course towards fresh challenges. Obviously, I'm not an exception to this and now is my turn," Klitschko said in the video.

Klitschko's retirement means his rematch with Britain's Anthony Joshua will not go ahead.

The 41-year-old Ukrainian was knocked out in the 11th round by Joshua in London in April.

Wladimir Klitschko is knocked out in the 11th round by British boxer Joshua in London in April 29, 2017. [Photo: baidu.com]

The latter had hoped Klitschko would sign his rematch clause for a proposed fight in Las Vegas on November 11th.

Klitschko ends his career with a record of 64 wins and five defeats.

He won Olympic super-heavyweight gold at the 1996 Games in Atlanta, before turning professional later that year.

Then he built an unbeaten 24-0 record before losing to American Ross Puritty in 1998.

After claiming the WBO belt with a victory over American Chris Byrd in 2000, Klitschko was upset by South Africa's Corrie Sanders and American Lamon Brewster in 2003 and 2004 respectively.

He then went 11 years unbeaten, until losing the WBA, IBF and WBO titles to Tyson Fury in November 2015.