Vitali, Wladimir Klitschko say they'll fight for Ukraine

Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko (L) and his brother and former Ukrainian boxer Wladimir Klitschko (R). GENYA SAVILOV/AFP via Getty Images

Hall of Fame boxers Vitali, Wladimir Klitschko say they'll take up arms for Ukraine

By Adam Stites | Last updated 2/24/22

Legendary boxing brothers Vitali Klitschko and Wladimir Klitschko say they'll take up arms to defend their home country of Ukraine.

Vitali Klitschko, 50, has served as mayor of the Ukrainian capital city, Kyiv, since 2014, two years after his final professional bout. In an interview with "Good Morning Britain," he said he has no choice but to join the fight against Russian forces invading Ukraine.

GMB EXCLUSIVE:

'I don't have another choice. I have to do that.'

The Mayor of Kyiv @Vitaliy_Klychko tells @richardgaisford that it is 'already a bloody war' and he is prepared to fight for his country. pic.twitter.com/KvoGP5f92C
— Good Morning Britain (@GMB) February 24, 2022

Wladimir Klitschko, 45, enlisted in Ukraine's reserve army earlier this month as tensions escalated between the country and Russia. In a post on the social media site LinkedIn, the younger Klitschko condemned the Russian attack.

"Here, we will defend ourselves with all our might and fight for freedom and democracy," Wladimir wrote Thursday. "You can also act. Let not fear seize us; let's not remain frozen. Putin shoots at Ukrainian cities, but he aims at our hearts and, more importantly, at our minds. He wants to create doubt and confusion and thus inaction."

Both brothers had lengthy reigns as heavyweight champion during their boxing careers with a combined record of 109-7.

More must-reads: