Hasim Rahman has been officially named as the WBC heavyweight champion following Vitali Klitschko's retirement on Wednesday. Klitschko took the decision after injury forced him to postpone his bout with Rahman four times.
The WBC has voted to declare 'interim champion' Rahman the new title-holder.
WBC president Jose Sulaiman said: "Hasim Rahman has all the merits to become the undisputed champion after the retirement of Vitali Klitschko."
He added: "The WBC is preparing an official ceremony to present Hasim Rahman as champion of the world, and will have a meeting of the board of governors in the near future to decide the next steps in the division."
Speaking on Wednesday before the decision was confirmed, Rahman, 33, said: "I am thrilled (Sulaiman) is keeping his promise to automatically upgrade me from interim champion to again become undisputed WBC champion."
The decision means Rahman's promoter Don King now represents all four heavyweight world champions, the others being John Ruiz (WBA), Chris Byrd (IBF) and Lamon Brewster (WBO).
"Hasim Rahman is a courageous fighter, and I applaud him for his bravery and congratulate him on the news that the WBC will announce that he has become their undisputed heavyweight champion shortly," said King.
King plans at some stage to announce a tournament where all the world heavyweight champions will fight each other to determine an undisputed champion.
MMIX
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