THE first thing that needs to be said is that Wladimir Klitschko’s decision to retire
rather than face Anthony Joshua’s bludgeoning fists again is an extremely wise one.
Klitschko has obviously thought long and hard since he was stopped in 11 rounds by
Joshua, in their epic battle at Wembley Stadium before 90,000 ecstatic British fans
three months ago.
And the obvious conclusion he has come to, which I share, is that if he did invoke the return clause in his contract Joshua would have beaten him again – only quicker.
Looking back on Klitschko’s remarkable career, anyone not steeped in boxing and relying on statistics alone could argue that the giant 6ft 6in Ukranian they called Dr Steelhammer was the greatest heavyweight champion of all time.
Wladimir after winning the super-heavyweight gold at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics turned
pro.
During the next 21 years he held the WBA,IBF and WBO titles, won 64 of his 69 fights and scored 53 knockouts – mainly with his lethal left hook.
He made 23 successful defences and only the immortal Joe Louis with 25 had more. In all he had 29 world championship fights.
And he defeated 12 men who had held the title and ten who were unbeaten until they faced Wlad’s steel-hard fists.
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There's no doubt Klitschko must be considered one of the all-time greats with an assured place among the top ten.
But where he is placed will be the subject of much debate.
Because as good as he was I don't believe Wladimir can be ranked above, Louis, Muhammad Ali, Larry Holmes, Joe Frazier or Mike Tyson.
Klitschko was the product of Eastern European amateur coaching, was technically brilliant, but I'm afraid he was considered robotic in the ring.
Despite his talent and his power he never had charisma and he wasn't popular in America, where it mattered - he only fought in Las Vegas once.
Though the hotel casino bosses on The Strip will be bitterly disappointed Vegas won't now be staging Joshua-Klitschko II - they were looking forward to the first heavyweight fight with global appeal since Mike Tyson sank his teeth into Evander Holyfield's ear, 20 years ago.
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South African Corrie Saunders and Lamon Brewster knocked out Klitschko early on and it was feared Wlad was suffering from the heavyweight’s biggest curse - a glass chin.
It was then the late Manny Steward, the Hall of Fame trainer, came into his life and during their eight-year partnership Klitschko flourished.
Klitschko's full statement as he retires
"Twenty-seven years ago I started my journey in sport, and it was the best choice of a profession I could have ever made.
"Because of this choice, I travelled the world, learned new languages, created business, built intellectual properties, helped people in need.
"Became a scientist, entrpreneur, motivator, hotelier, trainer, investor and much else.
"I was, and I still am, capable of doing all this because of the global appeal of sport and boxing, my own talent and most importantly because of you: my loyal fans.
"At some point in our lives we need to, or just want to, switch our careers and get ourselves ready for the next chapter - a new course and fresh challenges.
"Obviously, I'm not an exception to this and now it's my turn.
"I'm honestly doing this with greatest respect for these new challenges.
"But also with tremendous excitement, passion, dedication, expecting and hoping that my next career will be at least as successful as my previous one, if not even more successful.
"Finally, instead of just saying, 'hey, thanks and goodbye', I want you to continue joining me in this new and exciting journey.
"When we're together, we're more creative, more efficient, more productive and simply stronger in every way.
"Together we're the driving force."
Although he still had that innate caution inside the ropes that didn't endear him to the fans outside of Germany, where he is idolized.
Wlad who has a PhD from Kiev University, is not surprisingly one of the most erudite fighters I've met in more than 50 years.
He speaks five languages fluently and he can make jokes in English.
There's no doubt in my mind the young Klitschko would have finished off Joshua after he had floored him in the sixth round at that never-to-be forgotten night at Wembley.
I'm sure Wlad took advice from big brother Vitali the former world heavyweight champion who is now Mayor of Kiev, before announcing he was hanging up his gloves.
At 41 it is the only sensible course of action.
Wladimir deserves the respect and affection of fans around the world.
But somehow he lacked that vital spark that would have made him loved.
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