WLAD RETIRES

[Bard of Boxrec]

Eddie Hearn has just tweeted that Boente has informed him of Wlad's retirement, so no Joshua rematch.

As much as I disliked him during his reign, Wlad's final performance and true humility in defeat impressed me greatly. He's a good man and a good fighter.

Enjoy your retirement Wlad!

[ILikeBeer]

Wladimir Klitschko has decided to retire from boxing, rendering a potential rematch with Anthony Joshua moot.
The Ukrainian was defeated by Joshua in a heavyweight blockbuster back in April and the Brit was eyeing another colossal bout in Las Vegas on November 11.
But the 41-year-old has decided to call time on his 21-year career, ending any talk of another showdown with AJ.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/boxing ... z4og8CwUCm

[Ossyrules]

Well put from the OP. Though it's going out on a defeat, the quality of the fight and the heart showed during was pure class. Enjoy retirement

Blow for Joshua as that fight was way bigger than anything else on offer

[asdfjkl]

Massive respect Wlad, you earned it!




Now fight Ortiz AJ!

[Jip]

Finaly he is gone.

[gp.]

Sensible. I imagine he has realised that however hard he works he can't get to where he used to be any more. A familiar feeling for anyone over 40.

[Noxy]

I was always a fan of Wlad. A great fighter and classy bloke. He left on a high as well. Nice one Wlad!

[SaadOffTheDeck]

He fought like a bad ass last time, good for him. While his resume has always been underwhelming, he was always prepared and classy. Josh/Pulev is crap, but knowing when to say when is intelligent.

[Tanzio]

Funny how I had been wanting The Siamese Klit to go away for several years but once it actually happens I feel a sense of loss. AJ v Wlad II was to be the cherry on top of a great year of boxing.

Rarely, if ever, has there been a comparable story of redemption with spectacular conclusion in boxing. And it was accomplished in defeat.

Wlad will be remembered as a great heavyweight champion with the ultimate warrior's heart who was a gentleman and a excellent role model. He went out on his shield in one of the very greatest heavyweight battles of my lifetime.

Thank you Champ. I salute you!

[Ricky_]

Blew his chance in round 5 & 6. He shouldn't be losing to bums like Joshua & Fury. Bad timing I guess, he got old right when the division got hot.

[Arsenal49]

Shit carrer anyway

[lazboy]

Smart decision, smart boxer who packed a hell of a punch. Nothing but respect from me.

[RScarf1]

Now that BoxRec has removed him from the current heavyweight ratings, Povetkin is rated No. 2. The talent in this division is probably the lowest it has ever been.

[Bard of Boxrec]

Blew his chance in round 5 & 6. He shouldn't be losing to bums like Joshua & Fury. Bad timing I guess, he got old right when the division got hot.

Didn't look old to me in his last performance. That was his best showing.

(cue outrage from punchout)

[Ricky_]

Blew his chance in round 5 & 6. He shouldn't be losing to bums like Joshua & Fury. Bad timing I guess, he got old right when the division got hot.

Didn't look old to me in his last performance. That was his best showing.

(cue outrage from punchout)

Couldn't finish a sitting duck. Pacquiao is in the same boat.

[Boxing Writer]

How many poor exchampions, undertrained journeymen and part time boxers have climbed into the ring and took their beatings like men from this man? Alot! And yet this guttless wonder chickens out on the Joshua rematch, bastard should have showed up to lose like he was supposed to. After Joshua 1 I started to warm up to the fellow but this was always Wladdy, a coward and a loser with zero avenged losses only rematching fighters he already beat.

You are an idiot, my friend

[Bard of Boxrec]

Blew his chance in round 5 & 6. He shouldn't be losing to bums like Joshua & Fury. Bad timing I guess, he got old right when the division got hot.

Didn't look old to me in his last performance. That was his best showing.

(cue outrage from punchout)

Couldn't finish a sitting duck. Pacquiao is in the same boat.

Being concerned about his stamina giving out (which was always a concern for him) does not mean he 'got old'.

[Boxing Writer]

Right decision. Wlad had a great career, and though his level of opponents was far from the one of Ali or Holyfield, he never ever ducked anybody - he fought virtually all the best possible opponents, including the fights against much younger big and talented guys from the new generation. A lot of his fights during his prime years were boring, but even a boring fight he could end with a vicious KO (see Eddie Chambers). The biggest disappointment in Wladimir for me was that since losing the fights to Sanders and Brewster he never really tried to develop inside game, use short right hooks and uppercuts against shorter opponents.

Early Wlad was beautiful to watch, during his 10 years of dominance he looked mostly boring, but I'm glad he ended his career with a great fight against the most dangerous opponent in the division.

[Loki]

Great man and a Great Champion. I'm glad he's retired, nothing left to prove and he'd never have lost to Fury and AJ a few years back.

On aside note, all you fucktards who are bashing him, what have you achieved in the ring and given to the sport.

Show some dignity and respect.

[ValMar]

Right decision, definitely. He was a genuine champion, he has never avoided anyone, excellent stamina and lethal power in both fists. Role model for young persons, intelligent and gentleman. His only weakness was chin, from time to time he used to clinch and hold a little bit more than he should have done. Anyway, he will be remembered as a great one, deservedly, without a doubt.

......What is the next for Joshua (after mismatch against Pulev) ?

[Loki]

Sensible. I imagine he has realised that however hard he works he can't get to where he used to be any more. A familiar feeling for anyone over 40.

Very true; can't beat the clock. Cue Mayweather to lose to McGregor... a joke BTW.

[Loki]

Finaly he is gone.

Great - now we can look forward (apart from AJ) to all the HWs ducking each other.

At least Wlad had balls to fight. I only see AJ, Parker and Ortiz as HWs who really do want to fight competitive bouts.

[Lackeos]

Top 10 all-time heavyweight. Possibly the classiest guy in the entire sport. He helped put two other guys over before retiring. He will always have lots of respect from me.

[stellar]

Great champion and gentleman great skid for the box

[Bard of Boxrec]

Skid for the box?