• Boxing

Klitschko breaks up Kiev riot

ESPN staff
December 4, 2013
Vitali Klitschko stops riot in Ukraine

It's little wonder Vitali Klitschko is in two minds over whether he will continue to fight - considering the heavyweight champion has been busy breaking up a riot in his native Ukraine.

Klitschko - leader of the opposition party in the Ukraine as well as a member of parliament and a presidential candidate for 2015 - saw his deadline on deciding whether to make his mandatory defence against Bermane Stiverne extended once again by the WBC to December 15. He hasn't appeared in the ring since September 2012.

But on Sunday night he played a pivotal role in helping to defuse a volatile stand-off between police and protestors in Kiev. Thousands had gathered to call for the resignation of President Viktor Yanukovich.

Klitschko even grabbed a megaphone and began pleading for calm as he was lifted onto the shoulders of supporters. He is reported to have said: "I am telling you, get back. You have no business here. Don't fall into a trap." It worked, with calm prevailing.

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