'Dr. Steelhammer' retires from boxing
Wladmir Klitschko has announced his retirement from the sport in which he was long a dominant figure. His career featured many highlights, but also a number of setbacks.
Olympic gold in Atlanta
Wladimir Klitschko first came to prominence when representing his native Ukraine, he won gold in the super-heavyweight class at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta. He would turn professional later that same year.
Boxing brothers
At one time or another Wladimir Klitschko held the world title belts from four different boxing federations. His older brother, Vitali (right), who once was also a world champion boxer, was often in his corner for his fights.
Boxers with doctorates
Not only were both Klitschko brothers specialists in winning by knockouts, but both have PhDs. Older brother Vitali was popularly known as "Dr. Ironfist," while Wladimar acquired the nickname "Dr. Steelhammer."
Trading moves with a former chess champion
The Klitschko brothers are also chess enthusiasts. In 2001, the brothers took part in an event in Leipzig in which Garry Kasparov played several opponents at once – to mark the Russian former world chess champion's 50th birthday.
Four knockdowns
In October, 2000, Wladimir Klitschko won his first professional world boxing title, beating American Chris Byrd on points in Cologne. In a bout held in Hanover in 2003, however, Klitschko (right) went to the canvas four times - and lost his title to Corrie Sanders of South Africa on a TKO.
Another TKO
Klitschko also became acquainted with the canvas in his next fight, losing to American Lamon Brewster in Las Vegas by TKO in the fifth round. This led some in the media to right him off as having a glass jaw.
Coaching legend
Later that same year, Klitschko parted company with German coach Fritz Sdunek and hired Emanuel Steward (right). The American coach, who passed away at the age of 68 in 2012, had previously coached fighters such as Tony Tucker, Thomas Hearns and Lennox Lewis.
Back to the future
In April, 2006, Klitschko was again a world boxing champion after beating the same guy he had beaten to win his first title. This time he beat Chris Byrd by a technical knockout in the seventh round.
Politically active
Both Klitschko brothers supported the Ukrainian opposition in the protests on Kyiv's Maidan Square. Here Wladimir Klitschko is seen with the late former German foreign minister, Guido Westerwelle (second from left) on the square. His brother Vitali would go into politics and is currently the mayor of Kyiv.
Fury's wrath
Wladimir Klitschko's first defeat in nine years came as a complete surprise. In Düsseldorf in November, 2015, he lost his title belt in a unanimous decision to Britain's Tyson Fury (left).
Slugfest at Wembley
In May, 2017, Klitschko fought IBF and WBA champion Anthony Joshua. In what turned out to be a slugfest, in front of 90,000 spectators at London's Wembley Stadium. Joshua sent Klitschko to the canvas three times, while Joshua went down once.
Roaring ovation
The referee stopped the fight in the 11th round, giving Joshua the win by TKO. At the end of the bout the spectators rewarded both fighters with a roaring ovation. Following the bout, there was much speculation about a possible rematch before the end of 2017, but on August 3, Wladimir Klitschko announced that his boxing days were over.