It was the final twist in the long goodbye from Wladimir Klitschko as the once great heavyweight scrapped the rematch on offer and a $30 million payday with Anthony Joshua under the bright lights of the Las Vegas strip and announced his retirement at the age of 41.

It means Joshua will now defend his International Boxing Federation and World Boxing Association title belts against Bulgarian Kubrat Pulev, on a new date, in the UK.

Two world title belts were not enough to draw the Ukrainian back to the battle, the former world No 1 having achieved all he had "ever dreamed of" as a boxer. Impeccable timing from the champion who ranks in the top 10 heavyweights of all time, based on victories and longevity as the undisputed world No 1.