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Nearly two months after announcing that he will be running for the Ukraine presidency, Vitali Klitschko officially vacated his WBC heavyweight title Monday (Dec. 16).
According to ESPN.com, the WBC instead appointed the 42-year-old the organization's "champion emeritus," meaning that if he decides to fight again, he will automatically get a shot at the title upon his return.
Klitschko, however, seems to be finished with boxing.
"I want to thank the WBC and its president, Don Jose Sulaiman, for the support in our fight for democracy and freedom in Ukraine," Klitschko said. "It was and is a great honor to hold the WBC title, and I've always done it with pride. The offer of the WBC gives me the theoretical possibility to return to the boxing ring, which I cannot imagine at all to the current state.
"Right now, my full concentration is on politics in Ukraine, and I feel that the people need me there. My brother [and unified heavyweight champion] Wladimir will ensure more sporting success and I will, as always, support him as much as he currently supports me in my political fight."
Vitali has not defended his WBC heavyweight title in 15 months. Before that, however, he had defended the title nine times.
This is the second time in his career that he was designated as a "champion emeritus." Back in 2005, he was hampered by back and knee injuries, and retired. Three years later, he returned and immediately got a shot at then-titleholder Samuel Peter, whom Klitschko stopped in the eighth round of a one-sided fight to regain the belt.
Vitali has only lost twice in his career. The first time to Chris Byrd in 2000, when he was forced to throw in the towel due to a serious shoulder injury, though he was ahead in the fight. The second time came in 2003 at the hands of Lennox Lewis, due to stoppage in the seventh round from a severe cut over his eye. Once again, he was ahead on the score cards.
He retires with a record of 45-2, and 41 wins by knockout.
According to ESPN.com, the WBC instead appointed the 42-year-old the organization's "champion emeritus," meaning that if he decides to fight again, he will automatically get a shot at the title upon his return.
Klitschko, however, seems to be finished with boxing.
"I want to thank the WBC and its president, Don Jose Sulaiman, for the support in our fight for democracy and freedom in Ukraine," Klitschko said. "It was and is a great honor to hold the WBC title, and I've always done it with pride. The offer of the WBC gives me the theoretical possibility to return to the boxing ring, which I cannot imagine at all to the current state.
"Right now, my full concentration is on politics in Ukraine, and I feel that the people need me there. My brother [and unified heavyweight champion] Wladimir will ensure more sporting success and I will, as always, support him as much as he currently supports me in my political fight."
Vitali has not defended his WBC heavyweight title in 15 months. Before that, however, he had defended the title nine times.
This is the second time in his career that he was designated as a "champion emeritus." Back in 2005, he was hampered by back and knee injuries, and retired. Three years later, he returned and immediately got a shot at then-titleholder Samuel Peter, whom Klitschko stopped in the eighth round of a one-sided fight to regain the belt.
Vitali has only lost twice in his career. The first time to Chris Byrd in 2000, when he was forced to throw in the towel due to a serious shoulder injury, though he was ahead in the fight. The second time came in 2003 at the hands of Lennox Lewis, due to stoppage in the seventh round from a severe cut over his eye. Once again, he was ahead on the score cards.
He retires with a record of 45-2, and 41 wins by knockout.