Posted on 02/26/2022 11:30:09 PM PST by UMCRevMom@aol.com
As Russia cuts a swath of destruction through Ukraine, two Hall of Fame athletes are going to give everything they have to fight back.
Vitali Klitschko and his brother Wladimir are members of the elite Boxing Hall of Fame.
As they made clear this week, they are also patriots.
Vitali Klitschko, who has been mayor of Kyiv since 2014, said he will not sit by to watch his city destroyed, Reuters reported on Thursday.
“I don’t have another choice, I have to do that. I’ll be fighting,” the 50-year-old Klitschko said.
Both Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko – sons of a Major General in the old Soviet Air Force – made millions as heavyweight boxing champs. They could be safely living anywhere in the world. Instead they are in their native Ukraine vowing to take up arms and fight Russia. Heroes. pic.twitter.com/H94QLWz5bx — Dan Wetzel (@DanWetzel) February 25, 2022
As the city comes under siege, its citizens will be fighting back, the former boxer known as “Dr. Ironfist” in his heyday said — and he will be among them.
“I believe in Ukraine, I believe in my country and I believe in my people,” Klitschko said.
Wladimir Klitschko, a former champion and Olympic gold medalist, enlisted in the Ukrainian reserve forces.
“The Ukrainian people are strong. And it will remain true to itself in this terrible ordeal. A people longing for sovereignty and peace. A people who consider the Russian people their brothers,” he wrote in a post on LinkedIn.
“It knows that they basically do not want this war. The Ukrainian people have chosen democracy,” he said.
“But: Democracy is a fragile regime. Democracy cannot defend itself; it needs the will of the citizens, the commitment of everyone. Basically, there is no democracy without democrats.”
Mayor of Kyiv Vitali Klitschko defending his country 🇺🇦 #IStandWithUkraine #SlavaUkraini pic.twitter.com/0cOHOBVIoy — Natia Seskuria (@nseskuria) February 25, 2022
On Thursday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the sounds of war were the death knell of freedom for his nation, according to the U.K.’s Guardian.
“What we have heard today are not just missile blasts, fighting, and the rumble of aircraft,” he said.
“This is the sound of a new iron curtain, which has come down and is closing Russia off from the civilized world. Our national task is to make sure this curtain does not fall across our land.”
But amid fears Ukraine might have only days, or even hours, to remain free, Ukrainian fighters vowed to stand up against the Russian invaders.
Zelenskyy related the story of tiny Snake Island in the Black Sea, where Ukraine had posted 13 border guards.
On Thursday, it was approached by a Russian warship.
“This is a military warship. This is a Russian military warship. I suggest you lay down your weapons and surrender to avoid bloodshed and needless casualties. Otherwise, you will be bombed,” a recording has emerged of a Russian officer telling the guards, according to the Guardian.
The reply came shortly after from a Ukrainian officer: “Russian warship, go f*** yourself.”
Ukrainian border guards who died defending Snake Island when Russia attacked will all be posthumously titled “Hero of Ukraine.”
In an audio clip, they used an expletive and refused to surrender the Black Sea island when ordered to by a Russian warship. https://t.co/jz1iNDDw7u — The New York Times (@nytimes) February 25, 2022
“All border guards died heroically but did not give up,” Zelenskyy said.
I love these 2 boxers. Watched almost all of their fights.
They are larger than life in Ukraine.
I would hate to see them perish in battle.
Not that I want any Ukrainians to die in this war.
But the human condition is that when we feel we have a connection with certain folks, our concern for them is larger than our concern for some others.
As an AWFUL ex boxer, I feel a kindred with them..except they were great :)
It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been out of the ring.
You don’t say “I surrender” to anybody who is attacking you.
Ever.
F35 100-150 miles west of Ukraine-Poland border..flightradar24
Oh one one more difference between these 2 ex boxers and this ex boxer.
They’re in GREAT shape and I’m shaped like a balloon :)
They’re past their boxing days but not at all past their fighting days.
I think men under 60 aren’t allowed to flee fighting zones right now.
I could be very wrong about that
You are correct.
Klitschko was an excellent boxer.
He had quickness and great boxing skills for a big man.
Remember watching the Klitschko-Lewis fight in 2003. Klitschko was winning but was stopped on a gross cut. Great fight.
Wladimir Klitschko at age 41 gave Anthony Joshua all he wanted at 27. The Klitschko brothers are tough.
World War II athletes in our country put their careers on hold and fought for our country. With a few exceptions, anyone think the kneeling, entitled brats would do the same these days?
Drew Breeze started out saying he would never disrespect the flag, but then buckled for fear of losing an NBC commentator job and commercials with Woke corporations. How much money does a person need before they say I refuse to sacrifice my principles to the liberal mob?
Yes, Drew Brees is a shell of a man. He went on Focus on the Family claiming to be a righteous Christian. Then he threw FOTF ( and God) right under the bus when confronted by his woke masters who told him that FOTF condemns gay marriage (as they should).
And also yes on the Klitschko brothers. I followed their careers and they are two good men that I enjoyed watching very much. I use them as a barometer as far as not knowing what propaganda to believe from the media. If the Klitschko brothers are righteously standing with Ukraine, then that’s the side we want to win. It would hurt to hear of them being harmed.
I love the USA...if we ever got invaded...I’m a little old but I will do the same. Go out with a bang I guess but hopefully we’ll make the other “dumb bastards “ die for their country.
Why are you being spotty to UMCRevMom? What is the matter with an article about Ukraine’s most famous boxers? You are the one who sounds like a paid troll. The Ukrainians are showing spirit while you just offer cynicism and negativity to serve the invaders.
You are right to call him out on this. These two proud brothers fighting for their country. They were both great boxers for such big men(6’7” I believe).
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