WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko has retired from the sport after failing to recover from injury. The 34-year-old Ukrainian made the decision after undergoing surgery on the knee injury which forced him to cancel his bout with Hasim Rahman.
Following Klitschko's departure, Rahman has been handed the WBC belt.
"It's a hard decision to take, but I'd like to go out at the top and with my departure open the way for my successors," said Klitschko.
"Recently I have been bothered more by my injuries than opponents."
Klitschko's mandatory defence against Rahman had been scheduled for 12 November in Las Vegas.
But he was forced to cancel the fight, the fourth time he had done so, after damaging his knee sparring on 3 November.
The WBC gave Klitschko 90 days to fight otherwise Rahman would be handed the title.
However, Klitschko decided that after the operation, he would not be able to make that deadline.
"I want to thank my team, the media and the fans for their co-operation and their support," he added.
"I seek new social and political challenges in my home country the Ukraine."
Klitschko failed in his first attempt at winning the title when he was controversially stopped by Lennox Lewis in 2003.
He won the world belt in April 2004 after beating Corrie Sanders but has not fought since December last year when he defeated Britain's Danny Williams.
Klitschko was due to fight Rahman on 30 April, 18 June and 23 July, but back and thigh injuries forced him to pull out.
Klitschko is the second WBC heavyweight champion in a row to retire while holding the title.
Lewis quit in February 2004, coincidentally having beaten Klitschko in his last fight.
Lewis was the first reigning world heavyweight champion to quit since Rocky Marciano in 1956.
MMIX
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It's a damn shame about Klitschko. 2006 will now be Audley's year, I'm certain of it!
