Posted on 03/26/2006 9:01:04 AM PST by Grzegorz 246
KIEV (AFP) - Ukraine boxing hero Vitaly Klitschko vowed that he would be victorious in his first political fight and deal a surprise knockout to Kiev's veteran mayor in Sunday's election for the top city post.
"Politics and sport have a lot in common," Klitschko told reporters after casting a ballot in the center of the Ukrainian capital along with his wife, onetime model Natalya.
"If you doubt your victory, you'll never win."
The 34-year-old, a former WBC heavyweight champion who retired in November after giving up his fight against injury, is aiming to defeat Kiev's veteran Mayor Olexander Omelchenko in Sunday's poll.
Ukrainians are casting ballots Sunday for national parliament, regional assemblies and municipal heads.
Opinion polls released earlier this month suggested that Klitschko, a political novice who threw his hat into the ring two months ago, had closed in to within a handful of percentage points on the experienced Omelchenko.
Klitschko was a fervent supporter of the "orange revolution" that ousted an entrenched regime and brought pro-Western President Viktor Yushchenko to power in late 2004 and has built his campaign on being a fresh alternative to the man who has run Kiev for nearly 10 years.
"I know by what principles and standards people live in developed countries," said the boxer who has spent much of the past decade abroad.
"I very much want Ukrainians to live at the same level. We have all that is needed for that.
"I want to give my energy, my experience and my contacts and convert it for Ukraine's use," he said.
Klitschko is the head of the Pora-PRP bloc, which is teetering on the verge of getting the three percent needed to get into the national legislature. He has said that he would give up his parliament seat if he wins the post of Kiev mayor.
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