Vitali Klitschko 'eyes Ukrainian presidency'

Kiltschko, now 42, is still the WBC heavyweight champion but has increasingly turned his attentions away from the boxing ring and into the political arena.

Last year he was elected to the Ukrainian parliament and is considered a key figure in the opposition party Udar (Punch) who are known for their pro-Western policies.

Earlier this week he pulled out of his mandatory title defence against Bermane Stiverne because of injury and rumours are increasing he may be on the brink of ending his boxing career.

"The champion has stressed he won't be able to fight Stiverne on the date scheduled for his mandatory defence," the WBC said.

"He wants to keep participating in politics and run for the presidency."

The next Ukrainian presidential election is due in 2015.

Kiltschko has not fought since stopping Manuel Charr in September of last year.

Soon after that fight he was forced to clarify comments in which he appeared to announce his retirement from boxing.

Klitschko had said: "The Ukrainian flag will keep flying high and our national anthem will keep playing when Klitschko comes onto a ring. But if you're talking about me, I'm not going to box.

"I've got a brother who looks like me but he's younger and more talented than me. So I mean that will be Vladimir"

After the reporting of those quotes he said: "There is no talk about the end of my career. I'm sorry if I didn't put enough emphasis on this at the news conference."