Long before fighting Russians, Kyiv’s mayor was “Dr. Knockout” in the pro-boxing ring
A post shared by Віталій Кличко (@vitaliyklitschko)As Russians attack Kyiv with missiles and bombs, Vitali Klitschko, the 50-year-old mayor of Ukraine’s capital city, has emerged as an icon of Ukrainian resistance, bravely joining his city’s citizens to fight off the invaders.But long before he fought the Russians, Klitschko fought as a heavyweight boxing champion, a detail that underscores his warrior spirit.Klitschko, who stands at 6-foot 7-inches, fought as a pro-boxer from 1996 to 2013, ending with an astounding record of 45 wins and only 2 losses (both of which happened in response to injuries sustained during his matches).
His overall record includes 41 knockouts, 15 defeated opponents in world heavyweight title fights and 12 successful title defenses — it’s no wonder he earned the nickname “Dr.
Knockout.”It’s all the more remarkable that he began his political career 2005, when he was still fighting ring matches. He has since served as a presidential advisor, a Kyiv City Council member and the parliamentary party leader of his country’s pro-democratic anti-corruption party.
Even before becoming Kyiv mayor in 2014, he has regularly spoken out against his country’s human rights abuses and in favor of Ukraine joining the European Union and NATO (two things Russia absolutely opposes).When Russians invaded his country in February 2022, Klitschko said he had no choice but to fight.
