Vitali Klitschko: WBC Heavyweight Champ Addresses Retirement Rumors

Many have speculated in recent months that World Boxing Council heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko would soon retire from the sport in order to become a full-time politician in his native Ukraine.

Reports surfaced today in Ukrainian newspapers, stating that the older Klitschko brother had already announced the end of his career.

"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," Vitali told a press conference in the city of Donetsk where he was campaigning.

"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."

But Vitali quickly sought to clarify these statements on his Facebook page and assure fans that he does not currently have plans to retire from boxing.

"There is no talk about the end of my career," he posted on Facebook. "I'm sorry if I didn't put enough emphasis on this at the news conference."

Vitali Klitschko is currently campaigning in Ukraine for his UDAR party and is seeking to become mayor of Kiev.

He defeated previously undefeated Manuel Charr by fourth-round TKO in his last fight on September 8th. No plans for his next fight have been announced.