Klitschko swaps boxing for politics

Heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko is to step away from boxing to focus on politics after being appointed ’champion emeritus’ by the World Boxing Council.

The move leaves the WBC heavyweight title vacant, and although Klitschko could decide to return to the ring to fight for it again in the future he says that is unlikely.

The 42-year-old, who boasts a 45-2 record with 41 KOs, has been heavily involved in the ongoing political crisis in his home country, where pro-European demonstrators have staged large-scale protests in Kiev against president Viktor Yanukovych’s refusal to sign a deal for closer integration towards the European Union.