The WBC took the move after confirmation from Klitschko that he intended to focus on his career as a politician in Ukraine.

The WBC claim they are fully supportive of the 42-year-old and his new status would grant Klitschko the right to challenge the new champion should he wish to resume his boxing career.

However, Klitschko insists he is highly unlikely to box again given his new role as an opposition leader in his homeland.

"This offer makes it theoretically possible to return to the ring, which I cannot imagine at all happening as things stand now," Klitschko stated.

"I am now concentrating on the politics in Ukraine, I feel people need me there."

"Vitali Klitschko is fighting the fight of his life, this time outside the ring. Vitali is showing to the world what is the true heart of a champion by leading his countrymen to battle in the streets in their search of human equality, rights and peace for the great country of the Ukraine."

WBC statement

A WBC statement read: "With the current extreme and delicate political situation in the Ukraine, Vitali has answered his country's call to fight for human rights and equality. Accordingly, Vitali will not be able to provide the WBC with a predictable timeframe to return to the ring.

Distinction

"In light of those considerations, the WBC Supreme Council and the WBC Board of Governors have voted unanimously to name Vitali Klitschko WBC Heavyweight Champion Emeritus.

"Very few great fighters have received such an honorable distinction, which will entitle Vitali to fight for the WBC Heavyweight World Championship when he is ready to return to the ring."

It added: "Vitali Klitschko is fighting the fight of his life, this time outside the ring. Vitali is showing to the world what is the true heart of a champion by leading his countrymen to battle in the streets in their search of human equality, rights and peace for the great country of the Ukraine."

Klitschko has held the WBC strap since defeating Nigeria's Samuel Peter in 2008 and has a 45-2 career record.

His younger brother Wladimir currently holds the IBF, WBA and WBO heavyweight titles and Vitali insists he will continue to offer support to his sibling, adding: "My brother Wladimir will be responsible for further sporting successes."

Source

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Old news kind of, but wasn't posted here and it's big news. Klitschko deserves to be in some kind of hall of fame for sure. One of boxings greats.

It's always nice to read stuff like this about Vitali. He and his brothers are class acts. I'm a big boxing fan and have followed these two for a while now, and they've proven a lot of doubters wrong over the years, myself included. Has anyone here seen the HBO doc Klitschko? It's a pretty excellent documentary, very entertaining and informative. I admire Vitali's efforts for social and political reform, I hope he can have some similar success there to what he experienced in the ring.

I dumped HBO when Strikeforce signed their deal with Showtime, so I don't even have the opportunity to see most of the major boxing events... and I actually have tried to watch a couple of boxing events on Showtime, but I typically turn off the event after 2 or 3 rounds.

I just really struggle to enjoy the sweet science nowadays, but when I was much younger it was the only sport I did watch... I really started losing my passion for boxing back in 1989 to 1990 or so.

There was a day when I followed boxing, but it was long ago - when we had champions named Hagler, Hearns, Holmes, and *spits* Leonard.

I've kind of followed the Klitschkos from afar, maybe catching a news article here and there. Still though, nice to know nice guys can get ahead in the sport.

Rich Davie wrote:

I dumped HBO when Strikeforce signed their deal with Showtime, so I don't even have the opportunity to see most of the major boxing events... and I actually have tried to watch a couple of boxing events on Showtime, but I typically turn off the event after 2 or 3 rounds.

I just really struggle to enjoy the sweet science nowadays, but when I was much younger it was the only sport I did watch... I really started losing my passion for boxing back in 1989 to 1990 or so.

I can't watch Showtime boxing events. The production is downright awful. Only if it's a serious, serious fight will I watch it. But most of the time there are miscues with the announcers and commentators or sound issues that just make me cringe.