Ukraine boxing brothers Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko fighting Russian invasion; ‘I fear very much for their lives,’ WBC chief says
- Vitali is mayor of Kyiv and, along with his younger brother Wladimir, both former boxing champions, is ready to defend his country against Russia
- The Klitschkos ‘are unbelievable people, such great human beings possessing the sweetest smiles”, WBC chief Mauricio Sulaimán says
In the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv is Mayor Vitali Klitschko, the former WBC heavyweight world champion now in a deadly fight for his country. By his side is younger brother, Wladimir, a former unified heavyweight champion.
Four years ago, the Klitschkos hosted boxers from across the world in Kyiv at the 2018 WBC Convention. Now, that boxing family is united in support of the Klitschkos, who are defending their country as Russia presses its invasion of Ukraine into Kyiv. Dozens have already died and more than 100,000 are fleeing.
“I fear very much for their lives,” said WBC President Mauricio Sulaimán, who spoke to Wladimir Klitschko by phone on Friday morning. “And knowing them so well, that’s heartbreaking to me … seeing the horrendous images coming out of Ukraine.”
The Klitschkos “are unbelievable people, such great human beings possessing the sweetest smiles”, Sulaimán said. “However, they are warriors. So humble. So brave. They could take the easy step and flee to leave the country and be with their families.