Wladimir Klitschko reveals to Anthony Joshua why he retired

By Daily Sports on May 11, 2018

Anthony Joshua and Wladimir Klitschko appeared for the first time together since their epic 2017 fight in a documentary broadcasted by the BBC titled “Joshua v Klitschko: Return to Wembley.”

This time around, the boxing gloves were off, and the two men instead had a candid conversation about their fight exactly one year later, at the very same venue where it all happened – Wembley Stadium.

On April 29, 2017, an epic heavyweight clash was seen live by over 90,000 people in London at the home of English football.

The fight proved to be Joshua’s coming of age as he proved to the world he has what it takes to beat the big names of the sport.

It is still also the only fight in which AJ came close to losing.

In a documentary broadcasted by the BBC, Anthony Joshua admitted as much as he introduced his one-time nemesis.

“This is the first time we’ve met since our fight, and I have to say, it’s an honour to be here a year on.

“It takes two to tango and Wladimir was a great dancing partner that night, when I proved I have the heart and ability to compete at world level.

“It was the closest I’d ever come to losing. It was just a classic heavyweight fight.”

Klitschko shocked the world a few months after the fight by turning down a rematch, in which he would have reportedly had a $30 million payday.

He not only turned down the fight, he also announced his retirement from the sport he dominated for over a decade.

When Joshua asked about this decision to walk away from the sport, Klitschko talked about his thought process.

“The way I boxed, was the way I acted my life,” shared the 41-year-old. “I have to make sure everything sits.”

“And I knew my stocks went up after I lost for some weird reason, but it was the most complicated and difficult decision of my life ever.

“For 27 years I’ve been doing it and then when you know you gotta pull the plug that’s it, it’s done.

“So I was saying to myself ‘Wlad c’mon man you gotta make a decision’, because one day I’d wake up and say yes I’m gonna go for it, then second day I’d wake up and say wait a second it’s about AJ, it’s about rematch.

“So you have to be honest with yourself what is your gut feeling saying coz [sic] as soon as your brain turns on, you’re gone.”

The fighter, once popularly known as Dr. Steelhammer, revealed though that he was at peace with his decision.

“I’m not for boxing anymore, in this case, as an athlete.

“And after my decision probably 8 or 9 months later I look back and say damn it was the right decision coz I’m in[sic] peace.”

•Photo shows Joshua and Klitschko

Source Daily Sports

Posted May 11, 2018


 

You may also like...
Osimhen edging closer to Arsenal move

16 Crushed to Death in Stadium Stampede

Handball: Nigeria seal U-18 World Championship ticket

Koulibaly: I Couldn’t Sleep For Two Days Due...

Nadal calls for greater revenue share

Tsitsipas Unsure Of Participating In Australian Open

 

Latest News President’s death forces aquatic federation calendar shake-up Diamond League announces Amusan for Prefontaine Classic Chelle receives Agu, Nwaiwu injury boost Lagos schools gear up for TASG athletics showcase D’Tigress open W’Cup qualifying campaign with Colombia clash Onigbide's contributions helped shape Nigeria’s football, NSC mourns ex-Super Eagles coach Joshua career-earnings per punch recorded at £172k Onuachu breaks 14-year Trabzonspor goal record Musa dedicates derby win to Pillars fan Rivers United’s scoring run thrills Finidi How Arsenal can win Premier League NWFL player Ihotu regains freedom after N1.5m ransom

 

Most Read Rangers International going, going . . . (63,606 views) Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (54,933 views) Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (52,838 views) Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (52,464 views) Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (52,383 views) Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (52,291 views) Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (52,165 views) NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (51,710 views) Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (50,888 views) Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (49,403 views) Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (47,795 views) John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (47,270 views)

 

Phone numbers

Tel: +234(0)8066020976
+234(0)8055068145
+234(0)7013416146
+234(0)8094272884

Email addresses

info@dailysportsng.com
support@dailysportsng.com
publisher@dailysportsng.com

Office address

No 3, Adetoun Close, Off College Road, Ogba, Ikeja Lagos.
Website: www.dailysportsng.com

Social Media