Random thoughts: Klitschkos show leadership, bravery as Russians attack
Whyte acting like a baby; Taylor-Catterall was no robbery; an incredible comeback; Briedis-Okolie better in theory than practice; Munguia needs to step up; much more
Some random boxing thoughts…
I’ve always known that former heavyweight champion brothers Wladimir and Vitali Klitschko are men of substance. I met them more than 20 years ago and quickly realized they were far more than just great boxers.
They are thoughtful, intelligent men with interests far beyond the ring. In recent days, many around the world have learned of their true bravery well beyond what it takes to get into the ring as Russia’s unprovoked invasion of their home country of Ukraine unfolds.
Vitali gave up his heavyweight title and retired to pursue politics in Ukraine as a staunch supporter of Western values and with a desire to clean up the rampant government corruption. He leads a party opposed to Russia’s influence and is now in his third term of mayor of Kyiv. Given his political position and having long advocated democracy in Ukraine, you can be sure he is high on the hit list of Russian president Vladimir Putin.
But Vitali is undeterred and the same goes for Wladimir, who is with his brother in Kyiv. They are patriots and neither is planning to go anywhere. Instead, they are using their fame to be very outspoken public faces against the war, especially on social media. Their late father was a colonel in the Soviet Union air force, so they grew up in a military family and now both have enlisted in Ukraine’s reserve army and said they will take up arms and fight if necessary.