(Source: Sky Sports)

Hopes of the much anticipated rematch with world champion, Anthony Joshua was dashed on Thursday when Ukrainian pugilist, Wladimir Klitschko announced his retirement from boxing.

The 41-year-old Klitschko made the announcement on his verified Twitter handle after the video posted on his website crashed his server due to the large number of people trying to view it.

“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 businesses, built intellectual properties, helped people in need.

“At some point in our lives, we need to, or just want 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. I was and am still capable of doing all these because of the global appeal of sport and boxing, my own talent, and most importantly because of you, my loyal fans,” the tweet read.

“Dr Steelhammer” as Klitschko, a 1996 Atlanta Olympics boxing gold medalist is also known, had a successful professional boxing career spanning over 21 years which saw him being regarded as the most dominant heavyweight boxer of his era with a record of 64-5, including 53 knockouts.

By this shocking announcement, the Kiev-born boxer who recently lost to heavyweight champion, Anthony Joshua by a technical knockout in the 11th round of their fight at the 90,000 capacity Wembley Stadium has quashed any possibility of a mouth-watering rematch with Joshua which was speculated to hold on November 11 in Las Vegas.