Heavyweight

Klitschko to run for Ukraine presidency

ESPN staff

October 24, 2013

Klitschko is leader of Udar © PA Photos

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Reigning WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko has revealed he will run for the Ukraine presidency in 2015.

The 42-year-old was elected to parliament last year as the head of his pro-Western party Udar - which means "punch" in English. Since then, Klitschko has campaigned against what he calls authoritarian moves by President Viktor Yanukovych.

He particularly criticised the jailing of former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, which was seen as politically motivated by the West.

Klitschko announced his widely expected presidential bid Thursday in response to efforts by pro-government forces to pass a bill that could prevent him from running because he has permanent residency status in Germany.

Klitschko vowed that he "will not be frightened or stopped by this."

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