Vitali Klitschko Loses Mayoral Bid

Bad news for the political career of former heavyweight champ Vitali Klitschko may be good news for his boxing career ... if he's ever able to get through a training camp without injuring himself.

Based on the latest available results, Klitschko, 36, appeared headed to certain defeat in his second bid to become the mayor of Kiev, Ukraine. Incumbent Leonid Chernovetsky leads with nearly 38% of the vote, followed by Oleksandr Turchynov and Klitschko, with 19% and 18% respectively. There is no run-off vote, so the candidate with the most votes will be declared the winner. Klitschko's previous bid came in 2006 when he finished second to Chernovetsky.

Klitschko had hired Giuliani Partners, former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani's company, as consultants to advise his current campaign. Voters were clearly not impressed.

The setback likely paves the way for Klitschko - who has been out of action since stopping Danny Williams in eight rounds back in Dec. 2004 - to attempt to return to the ring. A proposed bout with former WBC champ Oleg Maskaev never materialized. Now it's current WBC champ Samuel Peter whose career has been put on hold while he awaits Klitschko's next move. Stay tuned . . .