Hayden Panettiere‘s year-long relationship with Ukrainian heavyweight boxing champion Wladimir Klitschko has been KO’d.
“Even though we’ve decided splitting up is best for both of us, we have an amazing amount of love and respect for each other and remain very close friends,” the “Scream 4” actress tells People.
While their age difference never became an issue, it was distance that proved to be too much for Panettiere, 21, and Klitschko, 35.
“We had a great time together, but it’s not that easy to manage a relationship between two continents,” he says. “I have a lot of respect for Hayden as a person and as a friend, and I believe we’ll keep our friendship even after the separation.”
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Panettiere, who was last pictured with the athlete in April at the Tribeca Film Festival, had never been shy when it came to discussing her private life with the athlete.
During an appearance on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” last month, the petite actress revealed that fans had actually approached her to ask about her sex life with the much taller Klitschko.
“He is quite a bit bigger than me,” the 5-feet-1 actress said at the time of her 6-feet-6 beau. “I get the prudest people coming up to me and they’re like, ‘Does it work?” Yeah, it works. We find a way.”
Klitschko, on the other hand, was less candid when praising his famous girlfriend.
“She’s a great fan, great supporter, a great motivator,” he previously told ESPN. “Actually, I beat up guys for her, believe it or not.”
Looks like the actress will have to fight off her many male admirers herself from now on.
