MOSCOW, November 7 (R-Sport) – World Boxing Council heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko must announce a title defense or give up his belt by the end of the month, boxing portal fightnews.com cited the organization as saying Thursday.
The WBC laid down the ultimatum in Bangkok in the presence of both Klitschko and his challenger Bermane Stiverne, the report said.
It may speed the 42-year-old Ukrainian's exit from sport after he voiced his intention to run for the country’s presidency in 2015. He is the head of the opposition Ukrainian Democratic Alliance for Reform party and is a sitting member of parliament.
The boxer, known as "Dr. Ironfist" and with a record of 45-2 with 41 KOs, last boxed in September 2012 when he stopped Manuel Charr in the fourth round in Moscow.
Stiverne, a Canadian of Haitian descent, has won 22 of his 24 bouts, losing only to Demetrice King in 2007.
