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Meet hero boxers fighting on Ukraine front line against Russia, from world champion brothers to Anthony Joshua conqueror

, Meet hero boxers fighting on Ukraine front line against Russia, from world champion brothers to Anthony Joshua conqueror

UKRAINE are being backed by some of their greatest ever boxers on the front line in the fight against Vladimir Putin’s Russia.

Amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, it has seen not only the crisis nation unite but also surrounding countries showing full support.

Vitali Klitschko, brother to fellow heavyweight legend Wladimir

That has stretched across the sporting world, with boxing organisations refusing to sanction bouts in Russia.

It comes while some of the sport’s past and present stars take up arms to defend Ukraine in war.

Here, SunSport takes a look at the hero world champions bravely signing up to serve their country.

Vitali Klitschko

The former heavyweight ruler, 50, last fought in 2012 and retired a year later to focus on politics.

Vitali, a father-of-three who married wife Natalie in 1996, has been the mayor of Kyiv since 2014.

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And as a result, it left the ex-boxer ‘no choice’ but to take up arms.

He told ITV: “I don’t have another choice. I have to do that. I will be fighting.”

Vitali Klitschko has been the mayor of Kyiv since 2014

Wladimir Klitschko

Wladimir, 45, reigned as heavyweight king for nine years before losing his crown to Tyson Fury, 33, in a 2015 upset.

He would return two years later in defeat to Anthony Joshua, 32, and announce his retirement soon after, snubbing a Las Vegas rematch.

Wladimir, dad to seven-year-old Kaya Evdokia, has refused a boxing comeback in recent year and also pledged to fight on the frontline.

He enlisted in Ukraine’s reserve army in early February and has publicly pleaded with Russia to end the war.

, Meet hero boxers fighting on Ukraine front line against Russia, from world champion brothers to Anthony Joshua conqueror
Wladimir Klitschko enlisted in Ukraine’s reserve army

Vasiliy Lomachenko

The masterful southpaw, 34, is one of the greatest amateur boxers of all time, leaving the unpaid ranks with a record of 396-1 and two Olympic gold medals.

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It saw him fast tracked as a professional like never seen before and Lomachenko, who is married to Olena with two kids, became a three-division champ in just 12 fights.

He was beaten by Teofimo Lopez in 2020, winning twice since and targeted a fight with new unified lightweight champ George Kambosos Jr.

But with talks for his return stalling, Loma was last seen holding a M16 with Ukrainian media reporting he had joined the Belgorod-Dniester Terror Defence Battalion.

, Meet hero boxers fighting on Ukraine front line against Russia, from world champion brothers to Anthony Joshua conqueror
Vasiliy Lomachenko joined the Belgorod-Dniester Terror Defence Battalion

Oleksandr Usyk

Usyk, who won gold at the 2012 Olympics, is a former undisputed cruiserweight king and current three-belt heavyweight owner.

He beat Joshua in September and they are contracted to an immediate rematch this year – although it remains in doubt.

Usyk, 35, had been in London last month to hold talks with AJ’s promoter to decide a date and venue for their rematch.

But now, the fearless unbeaten father-of three, who married partner Yekaterina in 2009, has enlisted with the Kyiv Territorial Defence.

, Meet hero boxers fighting on Ukraine front line against Russia, from world champion brothers to Anthony Joshua conqueror
Oleksandr Usyk enlisted with the Kyiv Territorial Defence

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