By: Sean Crose
“It was love, love for my city,” former heavyweight boxer Wladimir Klitschko said Wednesday, “my home, my family, my neighbors, my daughter took me there. here today, which I took the initiative and am now doing a part of in protecting this territory. ” Kltischko, a citizen of Ukraine, is the brother of Kyiv mayor (and former heavyweight champion athlete) Vitali Klitschcko, speaking about the fact that he was enrolled in the Ukrainian reserve army. With tensions running high between Ukraine and Russia, Kltischko felt it was time to step up so he could defend his country.
“One county away,” he said, “my little daughter is going to school. Schools are currently closed as ambassadors have brought families home.” Terrible times. Indeed, it has been announced that the US military will send thousands of troops to Europe due to the crisis. Talking to CNBC, Klitschko said that “I signed up as a reserve force for the territorial forces, to defend the city of Kiev.” The longtime king of heavyweight has made it clear that he feels Russia is the aggressor in the conflict. “Because everything is going on around Ukraine right now,” he said, giving a reason to sign up for military service. “Russian aggression.”
Klitschko went on to say that he felt it was time to act. “For weeks, if not months, there have been reports of the severity of this,” he said. A 45-year-old father said he has no interest in violence, suggesting peace through strength is a possibility. “Before our enemies attack Ukraine, they must see us as strong,” he said. “They have to see how strong we will be, it will be a very painful price for everyone.”
Boasting a 69-5 record, Klitschko is one of the longest-reigning heavyweight champions in history. While his popularity never went viral with American fans, he was clearly a favorite in Europe, where he participated in most of his title defenses. Possessing a powerful impact and thundering prowess, he was dethroned by younger Tyson Fury in 2015, before nearly regaining glory against Anthony Joshua in a 2017 classic fight that finally saw young Joshua triumph.
Although his fighting days are over in the ring, the fighter known as Dr. Steelhammer is now preparing for battle on a larger and more fruitful scale. “I cannot sit idly by,” he said, referring to the current crisis in Ukraine.
