Vitali Klitschko won't return to boxing

[PainfromUkraine]

Vitali Klitschko has ruled out a boxing comeback, as the 42-year-old, two-time former WBC heavyweight champion has decided to leave the sport behind for good and focus on his political career in Ukraine.

Klitschko intends to run for President in his home country, where he has become a noted political figure. He says even his family has taken a backseat to his political aspirations.

"I'm not going back into the sport," Klitschko told the 112 Ukraine television network. "It will forever remain in my heart, but recently I've had no time to train ... When I come home at night, my kids are in bed, and when I leave they're still asleep. They even go on vacation without me."
Klitschko last fought in September 2012, beating Manuel Charr in Moscow, and last year relinquished the WBC heavyweight title, which is still vacant and set to be filled by the winner of the Bermane Stiverne-Chris Arreola rematch on May 10.

If Klitschko is indeed retired -- and there's no reason to think this is one of the usual boxing "retirements" -- he'll leave the sport with a record of 45-2 (41 KO), and as one of the most respected fighters of his era.

http://www.badlefthook.com/2014/3/20/5529962/vitali-klitschko-wont-return-to-boxing

Respect to VK.

Thoughts?

[LoadedWraps]

Good news. The future of the division looks brighter already. Hopefully the future of Ukraine will be brighter as well.

He has the possibility to make a Ali-esque impact when it's all said and done.

[The Gambler1981]

Someone walking away from the sport in solid shape is a good thing, if his heart is no longer in it then it is time to stop.


Good luck to him in his political career, that is a tough business probably one of the few more cut throat than boxing.

[jri9d0]

Damn, family going on vacation without you?

[PainfromUkraine]

Someone walking away from the sport in solid shape is a good thing, if his heart is no longer in it then it is time to stop.


Good luck to him in his political career, that is a tough business probably one of the few more cut throat than boxing.

True, to be perfectly honest, I think this would have been the perfect time to retire (if I was looking at his career in let's say 2012), but I would have greatly preferred if the circumstances were a bit different in terms of him retiring on a better final fight than Charr. And of course, if it was calmer in Ukraine and he would seamlessly transition from the boxing to politics, without regrets or looking back, and without the enhanced struggle he is facing with current events.

Big respect to Vitali though, very underrated IMO, would have been a nightmare for any heavy H2H. One of my favourite fighters for sure. And leaves with a ton of excellent records, albeit balanced slightly by lack of true tests and the highest echelon of opposition in his career, together with the very unfortunate injuries he suffered.

[SN!PER]

There's only one fight that would bring back Dr. Iron Fist:

Lennox Lewis.

They're both old and out of shape now, so it would be a fair rematch.

[PainfromUkraine]

[PainfromUkraine]

[The Gambler1981]

True, to be perfectly honest, I think this would have been the perfect time to retire (if I was looking at his career in let's say 2012), but I would have greatly preferred if the circumstances were a bit different in terms of him retiring on a better final fight than Charr. And of course, if it was calmer in Ukraine and he would seamlessly transition from the boxing to politics, without regrets or looking back, and without the enhanced struggle he is facing with current events.

Big respect to Vitali though, very underrated IMO, would have been a nightmare for any heavy H2H. One of my favourite fighters for sure. And leaves with a ton of excellent records, albeit balanced slightly by lack of true tests and the highest echelon of opposition in his career, together with the very unfortunate injuries he suffered.

He was certainly a very large talented tough man I wish his career could have been better but really that has more to do with lack of opposition than him I reckon (plus injuries did cost him time). Lots of people knock his opposition which was not the stiffest, but really off the top of my head I can't think of someone he needed to fight.

Usually guys get in trouble when trying to go out on a high note, so while it sucks for him that was his last fight he should not just be chasing going out on a high note.

As for the politics that is tough, it would obviously be better if the situation was not what it is but sometimes tough times force people to actually act and take a stand. That is a very tough task though so I do wish him and everyone else involved in that situation good luck because they probably do need it more than even a gambler like me.

[Hougigo]

Got bigger fish to fry with Ukraine.
Don't know how much he does, but ish is going down over there