Vitali Klitschko was announced champion emeritus, which means that if he wants to return to boxing, he can fight the WBC Heavyweight Champion without having any fights beforehand. But (right after his retirement from boxing), Klitschko stated "That is something I currently cannot imagine". The WBC title was vacated and later contested by Chris Arreola and Bermane Stiverne. Commenting on his decision, he stated "My focus is on politics in Ukraine and I feel the people there need me". He also added, "I thank the WBC and its president Jose Sulaiman for the support in our battle for democracy and freedom in
Lennox Lewis vs. Vitali Klitschko to capture the crown. The Lineal title would not be contested again for five years until Wladimir Klitschko beat Ruslan Chagaev in June 2009. Lennox Lewis vs. Vitali Klitschko Lennox Lewis vs. Vitali Klitschko, billed as "Battle of the Titans", was a professional boxing match contested on June 21, 2003 for the WBC, IBO, "The Ring" and "Lineal" Heavyweight Championships. It was Lewis' last professional boxing match, having decided to retire after eventually rejecting a rematch. A year earlier, Lennox Lewis had finally met Mike Tyson in the ring and achieved a landmark victory by knocking out Mike Tyson in