Ukrainian boxing icon joins frontline in war against Russia
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.
Vasyl Lomachenko has joined the Belgorod-Dnestrovsky Territorial Defense Battalion in Ukraine to defend his country from Vladimir Putin’s invasion by Russia… pic.twitter.com/LWFDcUhFAB
— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) February 27, 2022
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."
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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