Credit: Stuart Franklin/Bongarts/Getty Images

Vitali Klitschko ended four year retirement from ‘career-ending’ injury to win world championship

Originally posted on Bloody Elbow | By Ross Markey | Last updated Oct 11, 2025 2:49 PM ET

In one of the biggest Cinderella stories in boxing history, Vitali Klitschko would crown himself king of the heavyweights once more with an astonishing career comeback.

Suffering just a pair of losses in his esteemed boxing career, Ukrainian icon Vitali Klitschko would suffer a controversial stoppage loss to British star Lennox Lewis, after an injury forced a stoppage loss to Chris Byrd.

However, preparing for a return to the ring after reclaiming the WBC and The Ring heavyweight crowns, Klitschko was hit with career-altering news.

Suffering a debilitating injury, the former world champion legend was forced to the sideline for a staggering four years — retiring from boxing in shock fashion.

Photo by CHRISTOF STACHE/AFP via Getty Images

Vitali Klitschko returned to knock out Samuel Peter

Off the back of his win over Danny Williams — who holds his own upset knockout win over Mike Tyson — Klitschko was set to take on former champion Hasim Rahman in another defense of his belt.

However, while preparing for the clash, Klitschko would suffer a brutal ACL injury, sidelining him for a year in recovery, and eventually ending his career.

But on this day in 2008, Klitschko would snap a four-year retirement from the sport — booking a pairing with Nigerian veteran Samuel Peter, who had previously fought his brother Wladimir Klitschko in two title fights.

ON THIS DAY: Vitali returns with a win

⏪Back in 2008 Vitali Klitschko ended his retirement and regained his WBC title as he forced Samuel Peter to retire on his stool after the eighth round pic.twitter.com/qAYlTgkQus
— Sky Sports Boxing (@SkySportsBoxing) October 11, 2021

And reclaiming the WBC heavyweight crown, Klitschko finished Peter with an eighth-round knockout win, forcing a corner stoppage as the champion failed to deal with the Ukrainian’s massive size.

Vitali Klitschko retired as champion

Making a spectacular return from his career-ending injury to defeat Peter, Klitschko would extend his unbeaten run since his loss to Lewis to a staggering 13 straight fights before his ultimate retirement.

And taking out some notable names on the way to his 2012 retirement, Klitschko would take out British star Derek Chisora in a unanimous decision win, after defeating the likes of Chris Arreola and fan-favorite veteran Shannon Briggs.

This article first appeared on Bloody Elbow and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: