FRANKFURT - Vitali Klitschko is leaving boxing to concentrate on Ukrainian politics and his role as an opposition leader, and that should give Canadian Bermane Stiverne a shot at becoming a world heavyweight champion. James Neal Jersey . Klitschko vacated his WBC heavyweight title on Monday and said he doesnt expect to fight again as he pursues a presidential bid in his home country, where citizens have been protesting for weeks in Kyiv over President Viktor Yanukovychs decision to shun closer ties with the European Union and push his country toward Russia. The World Boxing Council proclaimed Klitschko a "Champion Emeritus," a move that would allow him to challenge the new champion directly should he wish to resume his career. "This offer makes it theoretically possible to return to the ring, which I cannot imagine at all happening as things stand now," Klitschko said in a statement. "I am now concentrating on the politics in Ukraine, I feel people need me there." Stiverne (23-1-1), a Haitian-born Montrealer based in Las Vegas, is the WBCs top-ranked contender and has been waiting for Klitschko to make a decision on his future. It is expected that Stiverne will face No. 2-ranked American Chris Arreola for the title. On April 27, Stiverne scored a convincing unanimous decision over Arreola in Ontario, Calif. to win the WBC Silver belt, an unofficial interim title. Stivernes Montreal-based manager Camille Estaphan hopes to meet with WBC officials Tuesday in Los Angeles to confirm a title bout between his fighter and Arreola, which he hopes will take place in March or April. Estaphan said Klitschkos retirement may also help Stiverne financially. "If we had fought Klitschko, the champion would get 70 per cent of the purse, while now, that will be in our favour," said Estaphan. "Were hoping theres a little present under the tree for us just before Christmas." Klitschko is a lawmaker and chairman of the opposition party Udar (Punch) and intends to run for president in 2015. Klitschko has taken an active part in the rallies, urging his countrymen to continue their fight to turn the ex-Soviet republic into a genuine Western democracy. "This is not a revolution. It is a peaceful protest that demands justice," Klitschko told The Associated Press in an interview earlier this month. "The people are not defending political interests. They are defending the idea of living in a civilized country." The 42-year-old Klitschko has a 45-2 record, with 41 KOs. His younger brother Wladimir holds the other significant heavyweight belts. "My brother Wladimir will be responsible for further sporting successes," the older Klitschko said Monday. Vitali has not fought since September 2012, when he made the 10th defence of his belt with a fourth-round stoppage of previously unbeaten Manuel Charr. "With the current extreme and delicate political situation in Ukraine, Vitali has answered his countrys call to fight for human rights and equality. Accordingly, Vitali will not be able to provide the WBC with a predictable time-frame to return to the ring," the WBC said. "In other words, under his new distinction (Champion Emeritus), Klitschko will, in essence, retire with the option of being able to return to the ring at any time and be eligible to fight for the title against the reigning belt holder." The WBC said it will soon determine the top two fighters to participate in an eliminator bout that will yield the successor to Klitschkos vacant title. ___ With files from Canadian Press reporter Marc Tougas in Montreal and AP writer Maria Danilova in Kyiv. St. Louis Blues Jersey . Almost 18 months after Armstrongs seven Tour wins were wiped from the record, an independent panel created by the new International Cycling Union leadership has begun work to discover the extent of the sports past problems. Nail Yakupov Jersey . Reassurance came from Paul Tesori, his caddie and close friend whose newborn son is in intensive care in a Florida hospital. "Paul sent me a text this morning, just told me he loved me and wanted to go out and fight as hard as I would any other day," Simpson said Sunday after doing just that.PHILADELPHIA -- When David Buchanan walked into the managers office after a rough outing in the minors, he didnt expect to leave a major leaguer. Buchanan sure pitched like he belonged in his debut. The 25-year-old righty threw five effective innings, Chase Utley hit a two-run homer and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-3 Saturday. Filling in for injured ace Cliff Lee, Buchanan (1-0) gave the struggling Phillies a lift. He allowed two runs and five hits, striking out two. He was pulled after one inning and four runs in his last start at Triple-A Lehigh Valley. A couple days later, manager Dave Brundage and pitching coach Ray Burris met with him to make sure he was fine. "After 15 minutes, I was walking out when (Brundage) said: Are you going to be ready when Chooch (Carlos Ruiz) calls for a fastball?" Buchanan said. "I stopped and he said it again. I was like, Are you serious?" Buchanan, who grew up a Braves fan in Georgia, had more than 15 family and friends in the crowd, including his parents. "This is what I thought about since I was a kid," he said. "Im overwhelmed with emotions. Its so humbling that so many people took the time out, got plane tickets and were here to see me." Ben Revere went 4 for 4 in his first game leading off since May 14 and Jimmy Rollins drove in two runs to help the Phillies snap a three-game losing streak. Jonathan Papelbon tossed a scoreless ninth for his 13th save in 14 tries. Dodgers starter Dan Haren (5-3) gave up five runs -- two earned -- and six hits, striking out seven in six innings. Buchanan retired the first three batters he faced on grounders before the Phillies gave him a quick lead in the bottom half. One pitch after catcher A.J. Ellis dropped his foul pop, Utley drove one out to right field for a 2-0 lead. Utley ended a homerless drought of 127 at-bats, dating to April 13. "I just missed it," Ellis said. "It was a bad play by me and it cost us the game." Revere started Philadelphias first with his first double since last July 8. One out later, Utley connected. Revere annd Rollins hit consecutive RBI singles with two outs in the second to make it 4-0. Phil Esposito Jersey. Rollins hit .308 with two homers and had a .438 on-base percentage in eight games batting first, which used to be his spot throughout his career. But manager Ryne Sandberg put Revere back atop the order after benching him a couple games. "To be close to .300 this soon after ankle surgery is pretty impressive," said Revere, who is hitting .289 after missing the second half of last year following an ankle injury. Carl Crawfords RBI groundout in the fourth cut it to 4-1. Dee Gordon hit an RBI single with two outs in the fifth to get the Dodgers within 4-2. Revere reached on an infield single and went to third when Harens throw to first sailed down the right field line. He scored on Rollins groundout to extend the lead to 5-2 in the fifth. Yasiel Puig led off the sixth with a triple off Jake Diekman. Two outs later, he scored on Carlos Ruizs passed ball. Buchanan earned himself another start while Lee is sidelined. Lee has an elbow strain and its uncertain whether hell be ready when hes eligible to come off the DL. "Its an outing he can build on as we need him," Sandberg said. NOTES: Ruiz hit a foul ball that landed in a vendors bin that he was carrying over his head while walking up steps in the right field stands. Fans cheered the unsuspecting vendor, who gave the ball to a young boy. ... Buchanan is the first player from Georgia State to play in the majors. .... Phillies LF Domonic Brown left with mid-back spasms. Hes day to day. ... Dodgers SS Hanley Ramirez was a late scratch because of a sore left calf. ... Phillies 3B Cody Asche is day to day with a left hamstring injury. ... The Phillies placed RHP Luis Garcia on the 15-day disabled list because of a right forearm strain. Buchanan took his roster spot. Garcia had a 15.75 ERA in three appearances. ... Haren struck out the side on 11 pitches in the third. ... The Phillies are 12-3 on weekends, 9-22 the other five days. ... A.J. Burnett (3-3) faces Josh Beckett (2-1) in the series finale Sunday afternoon.wholesale nfl jerseyscheap jerseys from china ' ' '
