Tyson Fury wins ESPY for Best Boxer and Vitali Klitschko receives honor for courage at Wednesday’s awards ceremony.
Tyson Fury received more mainstream recognition on Wednesday.
The heavyweight champion from the U.K. received the ESPY for Best Boxer of 2021 at the network’s annual award ceremonies, which were held at Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.
“The Gypsy King” also won the award last year.
The other nominees for 2021 were Shakur Stevenson, Katie Taylor and Mikaela Mayer.
Fury (32-0-1, 23 KOs) got up from two knockdowns to stop Deontay Wilder in 11 rounds in their entertaining third fight this past October, his only bout last year.
Also, retired heavyweight champ and Hall of Famer Vitali Klitschko, now the mayor of Kiev, received the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage for his role in defending Ukraine against Russian invaders.
Klitschko last fought in 2012, after which he pursued the office of mayor in part to fight corruption. He and his brother, Wladimir Klitschko, made the decision to stay in Ukraine in spite of the Russian invasion.
Tyson Fury wins ESPY for Best Boxer and Vitali Klitschko receives honor for courage at Wednesday’s awards ceremony.
Tyson Fury received more mainstream recognition on Wednesday.
The heavyweight champion from the U.K. received the ESPY for Best Boxer of 2021 at the network’s annual award ceremonies, which were held at Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.
“The Gypsy King” also won the award last year.
The other nominees for 2021 were Shakur Stevenson, Katie Taylor and Mikaela Mayer.
Fury (32-0-1, 23 KOs) got up from two knockdowns to stop Deontay Wilder in 11 rounds in their entertaining third fight this past October, his only bout last year.
Also, retired heavyweight champ and Hall of Famer Vitali Klitschko, now the mayor of Kiev, received the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage for his role in defending Ukraine against Russian invaders.
Klitschko last fought in 2012, after which he pursued the office of mayor in part to fight corruption. He and his brother, Wladimir Klitschko, made the decision to stay in Ukraine in spite of the Russian invasion.
Vitali Klitschko will receive the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage at the ESPYs next month.
This is one honor for which former heavyweight champ Vitali Klitschko wishes he didn’t qualify.
ESPN has announced that the mayor of Kyiv, Ukraine will receive the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage at the 2022 ESPYS on July 20 (ABC) in the wake of Russia’s invasion of his country – including Kyiv — in February.
The award, as described by ESPN, “is given to a deserving member of the sporting world who makes a difference far beyond the field of play, impacting the world in indelible ways.”
Klitschko certainly has done that, risking his life by serving as a key figure in Ukraine’s resistance against one of the strongest militaries in the world. His brother, Wladimir Klitschko, has stayed by his side.
Vitali Klitschko has been mayor Kyiv since 2014.
“Vitali’s poise and strength as his city and country faces unfathomable tests have far surpassed the incredible resolve he demonstrated as one of boxing’s top heavyweight champions,” said Executive Editor-At-Large ESPN Content Rob King.
“His commitment to the people of Ukraine has been a global inspiration, and his bravery is a prime example of the resilience of the human spirit. It is our privilege to bestow him with the Arthur Ashe Courage Award.”
Klitschko said the award should extend to all of his countrymen.
“It is a great honor for me to receive this award,” he said. “I am convinced that this is a recognition of the courage and inviolability of the Ukrainian people, who have been bravely resisting the Russian aggressor for more than three months. This is an award for everyone who defends the independence and freedom of Ukraine.”
Vitali Klitschko will receive the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage at the ESPYs next month.
This is one honor for which former heavyweight champ Vitali Klitschko wishes he didn’t qualify.
ESPN has announced that the mayor of Kyiv, Ukraine will receive the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage at the 2022 ESPYS on July 20 (ABC) in the wake of Russia’s invasion of his country – including Kyiv — in February.
The award, as described by ESPN, “is given to a deserving member of the sporting world who makes a difference far beyond the field of play, impacting the world in indelible ways.”
Klitschko certainly has done that, risking his life by serving as a key figure in Ukraine’s resistance against one of the strongest militaries in the world. His brother, Wladimir Klitschko, has stayed by his side.
Vitali Klitschko has been mayor Kyiv since 2014.
“Vitali’s poise and strength as his city and country faces unfathomable tests have far surpassed the incredible resolve he demonstrated as one of boxing’s top heavyweight champions,” said Executive Editor-At-Large ESPN Content Rob King.
“His commitment to the people of Ukraine has been a global inspiration, and his bravery is a prime example of the resilience of the human spirit. It is our privilege to bestow him with the Arthur Ashe Courage Award.”
Klitschko said the award should extend to all of his countrymen.
“It is a great honor for me to receive this award,” he said. “I am convinced that this is a recognition of the courage and inviolability of the Ukrainian people, who have been bravely resisting the Russian aggressor for more than three months. This is an award for everyone who defends the independence and freedom of Ukraine.”
The bigger fight: Ukrainian boxers are doing their part to fend off the invading Russians.
Four of the most successful Ukrainian boxers are in a more-daunting fight than they’ve ever known.
Vitali Klitschko, Wladimir Klitschko, Oleksandr Usyk and Vasiliy Lomachenko are among those fighting along side their countrymen in the battle against Russian invaders.
Vitali Klitschko is mayor of Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine.
The Russians began what President Vladimir Putin has called “special military operations” on Feb. 24, which has resulted in massive loss of life and destruction in Ukraine. And no end is in site.
Here is the what the boxers had to say:
VITALI KLITSCHKO
"If someone comes to Ukraine, we don't have a choice… we have to fight for our country"
“Thousands, already tens of thousands, are killed in this war against Ukraine. And this number will unfortunately only grow,” Klitschko told Reuters. “We are not going to surrender. We have nowhere to retreat.”
“The situation is tense, people are worried. The city needs peace and peaceful skies. … Kyiv residents have been in their basements nonstop for a week now because of air raid alarm going off all the time.”
He added, speaking directly to Russian citizens: “You are an instrument at the hands of one man (Putin) with one ambition: to resurrect the Soviet Union. … For ambitions of one man, we are paying a very high price.”
Klitschko said in an interview with Sky News, evidently referring to himself and/or those around him: “We killed some people, I guess six people last night.”
WLADIMIR KLITSCHKO
⚡️Володимир Кличко звернувся до демократичного світу із закликом негайно допомогти зупинити війну Росії проти України.
Друзі, поширюйте серед ваших англомовних знайомих. Весь світ — всіми можливими способами — має зосередити свої зусилля на тому, щоб ця війна припинилась! pic.twitter.com/mt5Jmmu6hr
“It’s complete madness. … What is happening is terror. It’s happening in 2022. It’s something one’s mind doesn’t comprehend. You don’t know if you’re going to make it through the day tomorrow.
“Those nights, hearing explosions all night long and shooting in the street, that does make you feel worried.
“We’re really counting hours here. We have no time. We need to act now, we need to stop this madness. All the money that Russia is getting is being used to buy lethal weapons that are killing Ukrainians.”
OLEKSANDR USYK
“I don’t want to kill, but if they come to kill me or my family, I will kill,” Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Usyk in an interview with CNN
The heavyweight titleholder spoke to CNN through a translator.
“If they will want to take my life, or the lives of my close ones, I will have to do it. But I don’t want that. I don’t want to shoot, I don’t want to kill anybody, but if they will be killing me, I will have no choice.”
“Maybe, it’ll sound sentimental,” he explained, “but my soul belongs to the Lord and my body and my honor belong to my country, to my family. So there is no fear, absolutely no fear. There’s just bafflement. How could this be in the 21st century?”
“The bombing around is crazy. They just bombed the city of Mariupol, one of my friends got a rocket in his roof. [The Russians] are not playing games.”
“Russian people don’t really know exactly what’s going on here. They’re not seeing what’s going on. They are victims of their President [Putin].”
“I really don’t know when I’m going to be stepping back in the ring. My country and my honor are more important to me than a championship belt.”
VASILIY LOMACHENKO
The former three-division titleholder hasn’t been quoted but has joined a defense battalion. Images of him in full uniform have been posted on social media (see below).
🇺🇦The Belgorod-Dnestrovsky Territorial Defense Battalion has been formed and armed. In the territorial defense, boxer @VasylLomachenko informed the mayor Vitaly Grazhdan. pic.twitter.com/EMPExOL1q4
The bigger fight: Ukrainian boxers are doing their part to fend off the invading Russians.
Four of the most successful Ukrainian boxers are in a more-daunting fight than they’ve ever known.
Vitali Klitschko, Wladimir Klitschko, Oleksandr Usyk and Vasiliy Lomachenko are among those fighting along side their countrymen in the battle against Russian invaders.
Vitali Klitschko is mayor of Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine.
The Russians began what President Vladimir Putin has called “special military operations” on Feb. 24, which has resulted in massive loss of life and destruction in Ukraine. And no end is in site.
Here is the what the boxers had to say:
VITALI KLITSCHKO
"If someone comes to Ukraine, we don't have a choice… we have to fight for our country"
“Thousands, already tens of thousands, are killed in this war against Ukraine. And this number will unfortunately only grow,” Klitschko told Reuters. “We are not going to surrender. We have nowhere to retreat.”
“The situation is tense, people are worried. The city needs peace and peaceful skies. … Kyiv residents have been in their basements nonstop for a week now because of air raid alarm going off all the time.”
He added, speaking directly to Russian citizens: “You are an instrument at the hands of one man (Putin) with one ambition: to resurrect the Soviet Union. … For ambitions of one man, we are paying a very high price.”
Klitschko said in an interview with Sky News, evidently referring to himself and/or those around him: “We killed some people, I guess six people last night.”
WLADIMIR KLITSCHKO
⚡️Володимир Кличко звернувся до демократичного світу із закликом негайно допомогти зупинити війну Росії проти України.
Друзі, поширюйте серед ваших англомовних знайомих. Весь світ — всіми можливими способами — має зосередити свої зусилля на тому, щоб ця війна припинилась! pic.twitter.com/mt5Jmmu6hr
“It’s complete madness. … What is happening is terror. It’s happening in 2022. It’s something one’s mind doesn’t comprehend. You don’t know if you’re going to make it through the day tomorrow.
“Those nights, hearing explosions all night long and shooting in the street, that does make you feel worried.
“We’re really counting hours here. We have no time. We need to act now, we need to stop this madness. All the money that Russia is getting is being used to buy lethal weapons that are killing Ukrainians.”
OLEKSANDR USYK
“I don’t want to kill, but if they come to kill me or my family, I will kill,” Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Usyk in an interview with CNN
The heavyweight titleholder spoke to CNN through a translator.
“If they will want to take my life, or the lives of my close ones, I will have to do it. But I don’t want that. I don’t want to shoot, I don’t want to kill anybody, but if they will be killing me, I will have no choice.”
“Maybe, it’ll sound sentimental,” he explained, “but my soul belongs to the Lord and my body and my honor belong to my country, to my family. So there is no fear, absolutely no fear. There’s just bafflement. How could this be in the 21st century?”
“The bombing around is crazy. They just bombed the city of Mariupol, one of my friends got a rocket in his roof. [The Russians] are not playing games.”
“Russian people don’t really know exactly what’s going on here. They’re not seeing what’s going on. They are victims of their President [Putin].”
“I really don’t know when I’m going to be stepping back in the ring. My country and my honor are more important to me than a championship belt.”
VASILIY LOMACHENKO
The former three-division titleholder hasn’t been quoted but has joined a defense battalion. Images of him in full uniform have been posted on social media (see below).
🇺🇦The Belgorod-Dnestrovsky Territorial Defense Battalion has been formed and armed. In the territorial defense, boxer @VasylLomachenko informed the mayor Vitaly Grazhdan. pic.twitter.com/EMPExOL1q4
A critical look at the past week in boxing GOOD It was the day of the underdog. Jack Catterall, Fernando Martinez and Hector Luis Garcia surprised everyone but themselves and those close to them by giving inspired performances Saturday, whether they …
A critical look at the past week in boxing
GOOD
It was the day of the underdog.
Jack Catterall, Fernando Martinez and Hector Luis Garcia surprised everyone but themselves and those close to them by giving inspired performances Saturday, whether they were victorious or not.
Catterall lost to Josh Taylor while Martinez and Garcia beat Jerwin Ancajas and Chris Colbert, respectively, but all three earned respect.
Many believe that Catterall did enough to earn the nod over undisputed junior welterweight titleholder Josh Taylor in Glasgow, Scotland, Taylor’s home country, but the Englishman lost a split decision.
One thing is certain: The challenger used underappreciated ability and grit to give the champion at least as much trouble as Regis Prograis and Jose Ramirez did, which is saying a lot given the status of those fighters.
Catterall (26-1, 13 KOs) shook his head in disgust when the decision was read. So did a lot of other people. But we all know what we saw.
Martinez (14-0, 8 KOs) is managed by fellow Argentine Marcos Maidana, which is appropriate. He attacked long-reigning champion Ancajas with the ferocity for which his handler became known. That made for a wild toe-to-toe brawl with the rugged Filipino, which Martinez won by a wide decision.
Who wouldn’t want to watch Martinez fight again after that performance? Fans dream of warriors like him.
And Garcia (15-0, 10 KOs) might’ve given the most eye-opening performance of the day given the reputation of Colbert, who was seen as a rising star. The Dominican, strong, fit and confident even though he was a late replacement, imposed his will on his overmatched foe to a point where Colbert refused to even fight back in the last few rounds.
Garcia, who won by a lopsided decision, went from relative unknown to fearsome contender in one night. He’s likely to be favored over titleholder Roger Gutierrez, assuming they meet.
All three men – Catterall, Martinez and Garcia – have a lot of which to be proud.
BAD
Josh Taylor celebrates after his split-decision victory over Jack Catterall. Mikey Williams/Top Rank Inc. via Getty Images
Taylor, Ancajas and Colbert gave performances they’d like to forget.
Taylor (19-0, 13 KOs) held onto his undisputed 140-pound championship but his reputation took a hit. He said the pressure of defending his belts at home got to him. Makes sense. He apparently has had difficulty making 140. Believable.
At the same time, pound-for-pound fighters are supposed to handle opponents like Catterall, tough, but supposedly limited boxers. He didn’t. He struggled from beginning to end – even going down in the eighth round – and was lucky to leave the ring with his belts.
I would’ve favored the top 147-pounders – including Terence Crawford – to beat Taylor in competitive fights before Saturday. Now I wonder whether he’d be outclassed.
I’m not writing Taylor off based on one sub-par performance but he might’ve hit his ceiling.
Ancajas (33-2-2, 22 KOs) was simply outslugged by Martinez. What I don’t understand is why he didn’t try a different approach given the trajectory of the fight. He has some skills. He could’ve tried boxing more to change things up but didn’t.
Instead, the Filipino bet the house on his ability to outlast his opponent in a fire fight. He’s an ex-champion as a result, the loser of a unanimous decision.
And there isn’t much to say about Colbert’s performance. The Brooklyn fighter didn’t have the tools to keep a better, stronger opponent off of him. I think his relative lack of punching power haunted him in this fight. You have to keep a fighter like Garcia honest or he’s going continue to charge you like a rhinoceros.
A light-punching fighter must be a superb boxer to survive against a beast like Garcia, someone like Pernell Whitaker. Colbert (16-1, 6 KOs) evidently isn’t as good as I and many others thought he is, although he’s still young. He can bounce back if he has it in him.
We’ll learn a lot about Taylor, Ancajas and Colbert in their next fights.
WORSE
Vitali Klitschko (right) and brother Wladimir Klitschko are pictured at Kyiv City Hall during the Russian invasion. AP Photo / Efrem Lukatsky
I’ve witnessed the fighting spirit of Ukrainian boxers up close for many years. Thus, it makes sense to me that they and their countrymen are digging in against a seemingly unbeatable enemy in the Russian military.
For example, former heavyweight champions Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko have said they will take up arms if necessary. I had tremendous respect for them before this senseless war. Now I see them as heroes.
I also fear for their lives, particularly Vitali, who is mayor of the country’s capital of Kyiv. He’s in the line of fire, as the Russians have the city surrounded as I’m writing this. And if Russian President Vladimir Putin has a hit list of Ukrainian leaders who he feels might stand in his way, Vitali must be on it.
The thought of this great Hall of Fame boxer, who’s only 50, dying under these circumstances is sickening.
Viktor Postol demonstrated his mental toughness on the Colbert-Garcia card Saturday night, giving a solid performance before losing to Gary Antuanne Russell even though the lives of family members and friends are imperiled.
Imagine how difficult that must have been, trying focus on your preparation for an important fight while you’re relatively small country is at war with a superpower. He showed fighting spirit just making it into the ring. And even though he was stopped in the 10th and final round, he fought his heart out.
No surprise there. This obviously is what Ukrainians do.
Wladimir Klitschko captured that spirit in an Instagram post, in which he also appealed for help. It read in part: “Here, we will defend ourselves with all our might and fight for freedom and democracy. 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.
“You can do something by mobilizing and organizing huge demonstrations. Make your voice heard. Make the voice of democracy heard. Say it loud and clear that international law and democracy are under attack, that war is the greatest evil and that life is sacred. Also say that while solidarity is good, support is better. Say that the march of imperialism must be stopped now. After all, whose turn will it be after Ukraine?”
RABBIT PUNCHES
Russell (15-0, 15 KOs) passed an important test against Postol, who was his most-accomplished opponent so far. The junior welterweight prospect outboxed and outworked Postol (31-4, 12 KOs) for most of the fight and then became the first to stop the former titleholder. I think referee Mike Ortega made a poor decision when he stopped the fight with 29 seconds remaining but that shouldn’t obscure the fact that Russell did what he came to do, which was to make a strong statement against a proven foe. … A colleague who follows British boxing closely provided one stark reason Catterall was livid after he ended up on the wrong end of what might’ve been a bad decision. Had he won, had he become undisputed champion, he could’ve earned in the neighborhood of $1 million next time out. As it is, he’ll be lucky to make $100,000 for his next fight. And he’ll probably never get another shot at becoming an undisputed champion. … WBO cruiserweight titleholder Lawrence Okolie (18-0, 14 KOs) outpointed Michal Cieslak (21-2, 15 KOs) in an ugly fight to retain his belt on Sunday in London. That could set up a title-unification bout with either Mairis Briedis or Ilunga Makabu. The 6-foot-5 Briton also could decide to move up to the heavyweight division.
A critical look at the past week in boxing GOOD It was the day of the underdog. Jack Catterall, Fernando Martinez and Hector Luis Garcia surprised everyone but themselves and those close to them by giving inspired performances Saturday, whether they …
A critical look at the past week in boxing
GOOD
It was the day of the underdog.
Jack Catterall, Fernando Martinez and Hector Luis Garcia surprised everyone but themselves and those close to them by giving inspired performances Saturday, whether they were victorious or not.
Catterall lost to Josh Taylor while Martinez and Garcia beat Jerwin Ancajas and Chris Colbert, respectively, but all three earned respect.
Many believe that Catterall did enough to earn the nod over undisputed junior welterweight titleholder Josh Taylor in Glasgow, Scotland, Taylor’s home country, but the Englishman lost a split decision.
One thing is certain: The challenger used underappreciated ability and grit to give the champion at least as much trouble as Regis Prograis and Jose Ramirez did, which is saying a lot given the status of those fighters.
Catterall (26-1, 13 KOs) shook his head in disgust when the decision was read. So did a lot of other people. But we all know what we saw.
Martinez (14-0, 8 KOs) is managed by fellow Argentine Marcos Maidana, which is appropriate. He attacked long-reigning champion Ancajas with the ferocity for which his handler became known. That made for a wild toe-to-toe brawl with the rugged Filipino, which Martinez won by a wide decision.
Who wouldn’t want to watch Martinez fight again after that performance? Fans dream of warriors like him.
And Garcia (15-0, 10 KOs) might’ve given the most eye-opening performance of the day given the reputation of Colbert, who was seen as a rising star. The Dominican, strong, fit and confident even though he was a late replacement, imposed his will on his overmatched foe to a point where Colbert refused to even fight back in the last few rounds.
Garcia, who won by a lopsided decision, went from relative unknown to fearsome contender in one night. He’s likely to be favored over titleholder Roger Gutierrez, assuming they meet.
All three men – Catterall, Martinez and Garcia – have a lot of which to be proud.
BAD
Josh Taylor celebrates after his split-decision victory over Jack Catterall. Mikey Williams/Top Rank Inc. via Getty Images
Taylor, Ancajas and Colbert gave performances they’d like to forget.
Taylor (19-0, 13 KOs) held onto his undisputed 140-pound championship but his reputation took a hit. He said the pressure of defending his belts at home got to him. Makes sense. He apparently has had difficulty making 140. Believable.
At the same time, pound-for-pound fighters are supposed to handle opponents like Catterall, tough, but supposedly limited boxers. He didn’t. He struggled from beginning to end – even going down in the eighth round – and was lucky to leave the ring with his belts.
I would’ve favored the top 147-pounders – including Terence Crawford – to beat Taylor in competitive fights before Saturday. Now I wonder whether he’d be outclassed.
I’m not writing Taylor off based on one sub-par performance but he might’ve hit his ceiling.
Ancajas (33-2-2, 22 KOs) was simply outslugged by Martinez. What I don’t understand is why he didn’t try a different approach given the trajectory of the fight. He has some skills. He could’ve tried boxing more to change things up but didn’t.
Instead, the Filipino bet the house on his ability to outlast his opponent in a fire fight. He’s an ex-champion as a result, the loser of a unanimous decision.
And there isn’t much to say about Colbert’s performance. The Brooklyn fighter didn’t have the tools to keep a better, stronger opponent off of him. I think his relative lack of punching power haunted him in this fight. You have to keep a fighter like Garcia honest or he’s going continue to charge you like a rhinoceros.
A light-punching fighter must be a superb boxer to survive against a beast like Garcia, someone like Pernell Whitaker. Colbert (16-1, 6 KOs) evidently isn’t as good as I and many others thought he is, although he’s still young. He can bounce back if he has it in him.
We’ll learn a lot about Taylor, Ancajas and Colbert in their next fights.
WORSE
Vitali Klitschko (right) and brother Wladimir Klitschko are pictured at Kyiv City Hall during the Russian invasion. AP Photo / Efrem Lukatsky
I’ve witnessed the fighting spirit of Ukrainian boxers up close for many years. Thus, it makes sense to me that they and their countrymen are digging in against a seemingly unbeatable enemy in the Russian military.
For example, former heavyweight champions Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko have said they will take up arms if necessary. I had tremendous respect for them before this senseless war. Now I see them as heroes.
I also fear for their lives, particularly Vitali, who is mayor of the country’s capital of Kyiv. He’s in the line of fire, as the Russians have the city surrounded as I’m writing this. And if Russian President Vladimir Putin has a hit list of Ukrainian leaders who he feels might stand in his way, Vitali must be on it.
The thought of this great Hall of Fame boxer, who’s only 50, dying under these circumstances is sickening.
Viktor Postol demonstrated his mental toughness on the Colbert-Garcia card Saturday night, giving a solid performance before losing to Gary Antuanne Russell even though the lives of family members and friends are imperiled.
Imagine how difficult that must have been, trying focus on your preparation for an important fight while you’re relatively small country is at war with a superpower. He showed fighting spirit just making it into the ring. And even though he was stopped in the 10th and final round, he fought his heart out.
No surprise there. This obviously is what Ukrainians do.
Wladimir Klitschko captured that spirit in an Instagram post, in which he also appealed for help. It read in part: “Here, we will defend ourselves with all our might and fight for freedom and democracy. 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.
“You can do something by mobilizing and organizing huge demonstrations. Make your voice heard. Make the voice of democracy heard. Say it loud and clear that international law and democracy are under attack, that war is the greatest evil and that life is sacred. Also say that while solidarity is good, support is better. Say that the march of imperialism must be stopped now. After all, whose turn will it be after Ukraine?”
RABBIT PUNCHES
Russell (15-0, 15 KOs) passed an important test against Postol, who was his most-accomplished opponent so far. The junior welterweight prospect outboxed and outworked Postol (31-4, 12 KOs) for most of the fight and then became the first to stop the former titleholder. I think referee Mike Ortega made a poor decision when he stopped the fight with 29 seconds remaining but that shouldn’t obscure the fact that Russell did what he came to do, which was to make a strong statement against a proven foe. … A colleague who follows British boxing closely provided one stark reason Catterall was livid after he ended up on the wrong end of what might’ve been a bad decision. Had he won, had he become undisputed champion, he could’ve earned in the neighborhood of $1 million next time out. As it is, he’ll be lucky to make $100,000 for his next fight. And he’ll probably never get another shot at becoming an undisputed champion. … WBO cruiserweight titleholder Lawrence Okolie (18-0, 14 KOs) outpointed Michal Cieslak (21-2, 15 KOs) in an ugly fight to retain his belt on Sunday in London. That could set up a title-unification bout with either Mairis Briedis or Ilunga Makabu. The 6-foot-5 Briton also could decide to move up to the heavyweight division.
Former heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko fought in the ring. Now he’s willing to fight for his country. Klitschko, the mayor of the Ukrainian capital of Kiev, said on the ITV “Good Morning Britian” show that he will take up arms against the …
Former heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko fought in the ring. Now he’s willing to fight for his country.
Klitschko, the mayor of the Ukrainian capital of Kiev, said on the ITV “Good Morning Britian” show that he will take up arms against the Russian forces that have invaded his country if necessary.
The Russians were advancing toward Kiev as of Thursday evening.
“I believe in Ukraine, I believe in my country and I believe in my people,” said Klitschko, 50. “I will be fighting. I don’t have another choice. I have to do that.”
Vitali and younger brother Wladimir, also a former champion, released a video on Thursday pleading for the world to see the futility of the invasion.
“I call on international partners to look at the tragedy that is happening now in Ukraine and this senseless war isn’t going to have winners, but losers,” Wladimir Klitschko said. “Do not allow what is happening in Ukraine, do not allow what is happening in Europe and the world.
“United we are strong. We support Ukraine. Thank you.”
Former heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko fought in the ring. Now he’s willing to fight for his country. Klitschko, the mayor of the Ukrainian capital of Kiev, said on the ITV “Good Morning Britian” show that he will take up arms against the …
Former heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko fought in the ring. Now he’s willing to fight for his country.
Klitschko, the mayor of the Ukrainian capital of Kiev, said on the ITV “Good Morning Britian” show that he will take up arms against the Russian forces that have invaded his country if necessary.
The Russians were advancing toward Kiev as of Thursday evening.
“I believe in Ukraine, I believe in my country and I believe in my people,” said Klitschko, 50. “I will be fighting. I don’t have another choice. I have to do that.”
Vitali and younger brother Wladimir, also a former champion, released a video on Thursday pleading for the world to see the futility of the invasion.
“I call on international partners to look at the tragedy that is happening now in Ukraine and this senseless war isn’t going to have winners, but losers,” Wladimir Klitschko said. “Do not allow what is happening in Ukraine, do not allow what is happening in Europe and the world.
“United we are strong. We support Ukraine. Thank you.”
