The courage, the strength, the heart, the claw and the feeling of triumph are still intact, they have never left the corpulent athletic figure of Vitali Klitschko, the former world boxing champion, who today, at 50 years old, is reflected in his vitality. The same happens in the body of his brother Vladimir. Both now exhibit the charisma and leadership they showed for many years in the boxing ring.
(Context: President of Ukraine says Russians will try to take Kiev tonight)
Already with the gloves hanging and the belts of world champions in the showcases, the same ones that made them legendary, the Klitschkos vow to wield their weapons to the death if necessary to defend their homeland, Ukraine, from attacks by the Russian armywhich already undertook the invasion.
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The two former world boxing champions have taken up arms and gone to the front lines to plant and defend the flag and pride of their country.
“It is already a bloody war. There are no more options. I’m going to fight”Vitali Klitschko said in a statement given to the Good Morning Britain programme.
Vitali, who is also the mayor of Kiev since 2014, promises a long battle, like his younger brother, with whom they also share the honor of being members of the Boxing Hall of Fame.
(See this gallery: Russia and Ukraine: the images portray the military invasion)
Russia launched its invasion by land, sea and air last Thursday following Vladimir Putin’s declaration of war. It is estimated, according to official figures, that 100,000 people have fled Ukraine amid explosions and fighting in the streets of some cities, including Kiev, and the number of victims is unknown, estimated at more than 200.
Vitali Klitschko said that Kiev was under threat and that the main priority was to work with the police and military forces to maintain critical infrastructure, including the supply of electricity, gas and water for its citizens, although on Friday night and early Saturday morning. There were bloody battles in his city.
“I believe in Ukraine, I believe in my country and I believe in my people,” Vitali Klitschko said.
(Be sure to watch: With fire and blood: this is how the battle for Kiev progresses in the streets)
For his part, Vladimir, a former heavyweight champion, enlisted in the Ukrainian Reserve Army at the beginning of February, with the slogan of having all the love for his country.
The Ukrainian people are strong. And he will remain true to himself in this terrible test. A people longing for sovereignty and peace
“The Ukrainian people are strong. And they will remain true to themselves in this terrible test. A people who yearn for sovereignty and peace. A people who consider the Russian people as their brothers,” he wrote in a post on LinkedIn last Thursday. .
He also added in a short video that “I call on all international partners to see the tragedy that is taking place. This senseless war will have no winners, only losers. We must stand united against this cowardly aggression.”
(Also read: Formula 1 cancels the Russian Grand Prix due to the war in Ukraine)
In the boxing world, Vitali was crowned world champion for the first time in 1999, but his consolidation, after some setbacks in the ropes, began in 2004 and remained until his departure from the sport in 2012.
Vladimir was champion from 2005 to 2015 in a more successful career and hung up the gloves in 2017 after losing to Joshua.
“We are forming additional forces to defend the city. I ask the people of Kiev to stay alert in the face of the fury of the enemy. We have confidence in our Armed Forces, in our country and in ourselves,” Vitali concluded in a message with which he wanted to upload the spirits of citizens at this very difficult time for Kiev and Ukraine.
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Finally, he advised the citizens: “Have a couple of days’ supply of food and water on hand, warm clothes, and have a go-bag ready” and warned against false information “aimed at causing panic”, which he described as “part of Russia’s war against Ukraine”.
ELTIEMPO.COM
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