The 41 year-old Ukrainian, who returned from a self-imposed four-year exile in 2008, has only suffered losses from injuries in his professional stint dating back to 1996 and is highly regarded as the best at 200lb+ in the world right now.
Younger brother Wladimir, 35, is the only challenger to his throne, although there was never any chance of the two siblings sharing a ring as the tall, rangy pair cleaned up the top weight-class by claiming all titles in July 2011.
Vitali is now set to step aside for a career in politics after leading his UDAR party to prominence in Ukraine and is a strong favourite to win should he decide to run for mayor of Kiev in the future.
Many thought that ‘Dr.Ironfist’ would fight one more time with rival David Haye pining for an opportunity to challenge for his green belt, although all possible roads now seem to lead to Klitschko calling it a day without a swansong fight.
If this is the case, boxing will miss one of the most accomplished and clinical heavyweights in recent years, although some will see it as an opening for the next generation of contenders to take their chance at reigning at boxing’s top table.
