Klitschko retires

[Skybird]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/boxing/40811881

I never was a real fan of him, nor am I a dedicated fan of boxing, but like him or not - the Ukrainian put his stamp on a whole decade in this sport and dominated it like only very few before. Her was unified title holder from 2006 to 2015, remained unbeaten for 11 years in a row, most competitors stepping into the ring with him, were simply chanceless and got outclassed. As an athlete of this sport, he deserves highest respect and imo is one of the very titans of the sport's history - and there are not that many with that label . I think he gave the decision the thinking time it deserves, and I also assume he made the right one. He took all that was there to take in this sport, and then some more. He cannot achieve anything more. His last fight against Joshua, was a blast. It will be remembered. But the future - must be for the young. I cannot help but think that everything feels okay about this end. We all must leave one day, the only quesiton is how we do it. He does it well.

[Jimbuna]

Agreed :yep:

[Skybird]

He started "weak", but then showed that he can improve. And he did - fundamentally. That is an accomplishment. He has beaten several world champions during his reign. He fought against all big names of his era. It is sometimes said he boxed during a time when boxing opponents generally were weak and especially US boxing was/is in a sad state, but his birthday is not his mistake and we will never know how he would have done with opponents from other times that their fans claim to have been greater. That all is just hear-say. By the end of the day, you look at the numbers and stats of the sport's scoring board - and then you have to realise that you deal with a boxer whose scores say he is one of the five or six best boxers in history.

[Jimbuna]

My favourite will always be Ali.

[Aktungbby]

My favourite will always be Ali.

I strongly suspect a little Newcastle-on-Tyne bias there! :O: http://res.cloudinary.com/jpress/image/fetch/w_700,f_auto,ar_3:2,c_fill/http://www.shieldsgazette.com/webimage/1.5874597.1374250994!/image/2893763872.jpg

[Jimbuna]

:haha: