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Ukrainian boxing icon joins frontline in war against Russia

Riley Morgan
·Sports Reporter
·2-min read
Boxing great Vasily Lomachenko (pictured) in military gear back in Ukraine and (pictured right) holding his belts in the ring.
Boxing great Vasily Lomachenko (pictured) has joined a defence force near his hometown in Ukraine to stop the invasion of Russia. (Images: Twitter/Getty Images)

One of the best pound-for-pound boxers in the world, Vasily Lomachenko, has joined his countrymen in stopping the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Lomachenko, a three-division champ, took a photo dressed in military gear and carrying an assault rifle after he returned to defend his hometown in the Odessa region.

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The startling image of the champ, who joined a territorial defence battalion, follows the path of other Ukrainian sport stars helping out in the war-torn nation.

The 34-year-old boxer has a 16-2 record and is a dual Olympic gold medallist.

He is currently sits at No.8 on ESPN's pound-for-pound rankings.

Lomachenko joins retired heavyweight champions Wladimir Klitschko and Vitali Klitschko in preparing to take up arms in the fight against Russia.

Wladimir Klitschko and Vitali Klitschko join Ukraine crisis

The younger of the Klitschko brothers, Wladimir, enlisted in the Ukrainian reserve army three weeks before Russia's invasion and appealed for the world's help in a social media video where he described the situation as a "senseless war" with no winners or losers.

Klitschko called Vladimir Putin's actions a "blatant violation of international law" and said Russia's President was putting the "European way of life" at threat.

The brothers have asked for the world's support, urging others to mobilise against "the march of imperialism."

Boxing greats Wladimir and Vitali Klitschko have vowed to take up arms for Ukraine in the fight against Russia. (Image: Twitter)
Boxing greats Wladimir and Vitali Klitschko have vowed to take up arms for Ukraine in the fight against Russia. (Image: Twitter)

Wladimir's brother Vitali said he would also take up arms and fight against Russia.

Vitali - who is the mayor of Ukraine's capital Kyiv - also appeared on Good Morning Britain where he said he didn't "have another choice" but to fight for his country in a "bloody war".

Meanwhile, devastated tennis star Elina Svitolina said she would donate her prize money from her upcoming tournaments to help out the developing humanitarian crisis back in her homeland.

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