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HAMBURG, Germany (AP)  WBC heavyweight champion
Vitali Klitschko has retired because of a knee injury, his former
promoter said on its Web site Wednesday.
Klitschko pulled out of Saturday's title defense against Hasim
Rahman when he tore ligaments while sparring last week in
Los Angeles. He was fitted with a brace, but later canceled the
fight with Rahman scheduled for Nov. 12 in Las Vegas.
"The decision to end with the sport was hard to make. But I
would like to end my career on the top and with my retirement
make the way free for my successor," Klitschko said in a
statement released by Universum Promotions.
The injury will require six months to heal, but the WBC gave
Klitschko three months to recover  after which it would award
the title to Rahman.
The Ukraine-born fighter, who was 35-2 with 34 knockouts,
underwent surgery on his knee Tuesday in Inglewood, Calif.
"Unfortunately, I've been fighting injuries recently more than
facing rivals in the ring," Klitschko said.
Klitschko and Rahman were originally scheduled to fight April
30, but Klitschko pulled out because of a thigh injury.
But WBC president Jose Sulaiman said Monday that the most
recent cancellation actually was the fourth time Klitschko
backed out of a fight with Rahman.
Rahman grew so tired of waiting to fight Klitschko that he took a
bout with Monte Barrett in August. Rahman won on a decision
to become the WBC's interim champion, meaning he would be
declared champion if Klitschko didn't fight him.
Klitschko has not fought since stopping Danny Williams in the
first defense of his title last December.
Vitali Klitschko has retired because of a knee injury, his former
promoter said on its Web site Wednesday.
Klitschko pulled out of Saturday's title defense against Hasim
Rahman when he tore ligaments while sparring last week in
Los Angeles. He was fitted with a brace, but later canceled the
fight with Rahman scheduled for Nov. 12 in Las Vegas.
"The decision to end with the sport was hard to make. But I
would like to end my career on the top and with my retirement
make the way free for my successor," Klitschko said in a
statement released by Universum Promotions.
The injury will require six months to heal, but the WBC gave
Klitschko three months to recover  after which it would award
the title to Rahman.
The Ukraine-born fighter, who was 35-2 with 34 knockouts,
underwent surgery on his knee Tuesday in Inglewood, Calif.
"Unfortunately, I've been fighting injuries recently more than
facing rivals in the ring," Klitschko said.
Klitschko and Rahman were originally scheduled to fight April
30, but Klitschko pulled out because of a thigh injury.
But WBC president Jose Sulaiman said Monday that the most
recent cancellation actually was the fourth time Klitschko
backed out of a fight with Rahman.
Rahman grew so tired of waiting to fight Klitschko that he took a
bout with Monte Barrett in August. Rahman won on a decision
to become the WBC's interim champion, meaning he would be
declared champion if Klitschko didn't fight him.
Klitschko has not fought since stopping Danny Williams in the
first defense of his title last December.