Klitschko to run for Ukrainian presidency
Heavyweight titleholder Vitali Klitschko announced Thursday that he is running for president of Ukraine in 2015.
He announced his intentions in a speech in front of the Ukrainian parliament.
Klitschko, 42, is the leader of the Ukrainian Democratic Alliance for Reforms party, which he helped found in 2010. He currently serves on the Kiev city council and won a seat in the 450-member parliament a year ago.
His venture in major national politics could end his boxing career. Klitschko has said he may retire from boxing to fully dedicate himself to politics. His last fight was a victory over Manuel Charr in Moscow in September 2012. The fight was stopped in the fourth round because of a cut.
Klitschko (45-2, 41 KOs) was scheduled to fight Bermane Stiverne (23-1, 20 KOs) this fall, but the fight was cancelled after Klitschko said he had right hand injury.
As far as his political career, he ran unsuccessfully for mayor of Kiev in 2006, but was elected to city council that year. Klitschko said the UDAR party is growing because there are many Ukrainians complaining about the lack of opportunities and government control over people's private lives.
"It's tough job, to be honest," he said. "I have learned lessons about Ukrainian politics, and I want to make changes in Ukraine. I am not alone. Together, me and many other people, we have a vision. We are fighting for changes in Ukraine and real democracy in Ukraine."
