By Mark Vester
It appears that WBC Champion Emeritus Vitali Klitschko (35-2, 34KOs) is moving away from boxing and heading back to the world of politics. Klitschko announced during a press conference that he intends to run for office to become the mayor of Kiev.
“I will take part in the next elections of the mayor,” Klitschko said. “If the elections take place… all things that are happening today in the Kiev Council, happening in Kiev have cemented my thought that I should stand for this office. I will do the utmost to make Kiev a comfortable city, a green city for those, who live in it, so that it remains a historical place, doesn't lose its face.”
In 2005, Klitschko was plagued with injuries and retired from boxing to pursue a career in politics. Earlier this year, Klitschko announced that he was returning to the ring for the first time since 2004.
After a much publicized struggle to land an immediate title shot at WBC heavyweight champion Oleg Maskaev, Klitschko agreed to fight the winner of Maskaev-Samuel Peter and scheduled a tuneup bout against Jameel McCline on Sept. 22 in Munich. Klitschko was forced to withdraw from the bout after suffering a back injury during his final week of training, which also required emergency surgery.
Maskaev himself suffered a back injury and his bout with Samuel Peter appears to be headed to a date in 2008.
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