Vitali Klitschko was scheduled to defend his WBC title against Hasim Rahman on Nov. 12 in Las Vegas. Unfortunately, the fight was canceled because Klitschko suffered a knee injury during a recent sparring session. Because of his injury, Klitschko underwent surgery on Tuesday in Southern California.

The operation was done by Dr. Neal Elattrache, Director of the Sports Medicine department at the Kerlan-Jobe Clinic, in Inglewood, Calif. Dr. Elattrache treated a new rupture in the torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and damage to the medial meniscus on Klitschko’s right knee.

“The surgery took 1½ hours and was a complete success, but Vitali cannot compete in professional sports for the next six months,” said Dr. Elattrache. “With this severe an injury it would have been absolutely impossible for Vitali to participate in a fight in the near future. The knee was totally unstable and it would have not held up.

Said Vitali: “Lately, I have been spending more time with my injuries than with my opponents inside the ring. The decision to retire from professional sports was a very difficult one, one of the hardest I have ever had to make. I love boxing and am proud to be the WBC and RING heavyweight champion.

“But I would like to end my career at its peak so I am retiring now as the champion to clear the way for my successors. I would like to take this opportunity to thank again the WBC, especially President Jose Sulaiman, my team, the media and all my fans for the many years of cooperation and support. In the future, I plan to get more heavily involved and devote more energy to tackling social and socio-political challenges in my native Ukraine.”

Click to read more boxing articles by Boxing Press

Discuss in Boxing Forum

---

Related Boxing Articles...

• Klitschko Surgery Successful.

  Vitali Klitschko underwent successful back surgery Tuesday in Los Angeles, and the World Boxing Council (WBC) heavyweight champion should be able to fight again in September, according to Bernd Boente, >
  
  

• Boxing In Germany: Vitali Klitschko Injured, Out Of McCline Fight

  The boxing match between Vitali Klitschko and American boxer Jameel McCline, scheduled for September 22nd in Munich, has been cancelled, as the Ukrainian boxer has just undergone surgery for a >
  
  

• Klitschko-Brewster Possible.

  Fresh from his first round stoppage win over contender Andrew Golota, WBO heavyweight champion "Relentless" Lamon Brewster may be set to challenge current WBC titleholder Vitali Klitschko. The Ukrainian giant >
  
  

• WBC Says No to Vitali.

  The Board of Governors of the World Boxing Council, presided by doctor Jose Sulaiman, announces from its offices in Mexico City that a final decision has been taken in regards >
  
  

• Boxing Weigh-In: Vitali Klitschko vs. Juan Carlos Gomez

  

  Vitali Klitschko weighed in at 249 pounds yesterday in preparation for putting his WBC belt on the line against contender Juan Carlos Gomez, who tipped the scales at 230.4 pounds, >
  
  

• Ex-Boxing Champ Klitschko The Mandatory Challenger In Kiev Mayoral Race

  The World Boxing Council is honored and very pleased with the news about the candidacy of world heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko to the Mayoralty of Kiev, Capital City of Ukraine. >
  
  

• WBC Boxing Champ Klitschko To Face Arreola September 26

  A media conference will reportedly be held in Los Angeles this week to formally announce the upcoming WBC heavyweight title fight between champion Vitali Klitschko and Cristobal Arreola. The clash is >
  
  

• Showtime Boxing: Peter vs. Klitschko Heats Up In Berlin

  In one of the most significant heavyweight championship fights in years, Samuel Peter and Vitali Klitschko will battle for the WBC Heavyweight title Saturday on Showtime. Both fighters stake claim >
  
  

• Fans Debate Klitschko-Williams.

  Snakey: I think Vitali will be too much for the Brit, Vitali is really strong and has a reach advantage. Danny is not gonna get lucky by Vitali hurting his >
  
  

• Call Klitschko ”Duck Kiev.”

  None other than the venerable Michael Katz (the man responsible for the infamous monikers "Chicken Kiev" and now "Duck Kiev") weighed in prominently on the Vitali Klitschko debacle today at >
  
  

---