You are in > manchester.com  > News > Klitschko announces retirement

General Sports News

Klitschko announces retirement

09/11/2005

Vitali Klitschko, the World Boxing Council heavyweight champion, has announced his shock retirement from the sport with immediate effect.

The 34-year-old Ukrainian has been struggling with back, thigh and most recently knee injuries that have forced him to pull out of three planned fights this year.

And despite boasting a 35 and two record, with 34 wins coming via knockout, he has not fought since last December's one-sided clash with Britain's Danny Williams.

But with a mandatory title defence against Hasim Rahman in 90 days, Klitschko has now decided to hang up his gloves rather than try to win his fitness race.

"I've more often been stopped by injury than by an opponent," he said in a statement released by his agent, Bernd Bonte.

"It was hard to retire from this sport but I want to finish my career at the summit and leave the way open for my successors."

Klitschko won the WBC belt in April 2004 following an eighth round stoppage of Corrie Sanders but is arguably best known for his hard-fought defeat by Britain's Lennox Lewis in June 2003.

The now-vacant title will either be awarded to interim champion Rahman or will be contested for in a championship match and the WBC is expected to decide on which option in the near future.

© Adfero Ltd