According to a statement appearing on his former promoter's website, WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko has retired from boxing. The decision came after it was determined that he would need at least six months to fully recover. "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. "Unfortunately, I've been fighting injuries recently more than facing rivals in the ring."