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Vitali Klitschko to return to the ring, paper claims

Retired WBC heavyweight champion and popular Ukrainian political figure Vitali Klitschko speaks to his supporters at a rally in Kiev, Ukraine, yesterday. Klitschko said he is returning to sports and that a tentative bout against WBC champion Oleg Maskaev was scheduled for April. PHOTO: AP

Former world heavyweight boxing champion Vitali Klitschko is to return to the ring for the first time in more than two years, German newspaper Bild claimed yesterday.

Klitshcko last fought in a December 2004 WBC title clash against Britain's Danny Williams.

He had knocked the Brixton Bomber down four times on the way to an eighth-round stoppage win and was then due to defend his title against US boxer Hasim Rahman.

A succession of injuries delayed the fight until November 2005 when Klitschko announced his retirement due to a serious knee problem.

But having watched his younger brother Wladimir claim and defend the IBF title last year, Vitali has now decided to make a comeback.

"Yes, I am here again: after my serious knee injury more than a year ago, I have stored up enough energy," Klitschko said. "I am in top form and raring to come back."

Klitschko claimed he is hoping to face the current holder of his old WBC title, Russian Oleg Maskaev, in his comeback bout.

"I have asked the WBC to face him on April 21 in Moscow. I am waiting for a reply this week," Klitschko said. "I can train and push myself like before, I'm hungry for success and I am ready to perform at a world level."

The German-based 35-year-old was due to fight Rahman for the WBC title in 2005 but called time on his career after forfeiting the belt when injury ruled him out of that bout.

Rahman defended the title twice before he was knocked out by Maskaev in August. Maskaev has since defended the title against Ugandan Peter Okhello and had been mooted for a clash against former undisputed middleweight champion Bernard Hopkins.

Klitschko embarked on a political career after his retirement but missed out on the mayorship of Ukraine's capital Kiev.
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