Two former Ukrainian boxing world champions have joined what is probably the greatest fight of their lives. The two are brothers, and they have vowed to take up arms to help defend the Ukrainian capital Kyiv. Vitali Klitschko, 50, is the current mayor of Kyiv. He retired from a glittering career in boxing in 2013, having been heavyweight champion for over a decade. He told reporters that he would fight. He said: "I don't have another choice. I have to do that. I'll be fighting. It's already a bloody war." Vitali's brother Wladimir, 45, dominated the heavyweight and superheavyweight divisions for 15 years. He tweeted: "Destruction and death come upon us.…We will defend ourselves with all our might and fight for freedom and democracy."

The boxing siblings have joined the ranks of their compatriots and fellow citizens in mounting a defence of their city. Authorities have already distributed 18,000 rifles to Kyiv residents to defend themselves. There are also images on social media of old women learning to make Molotov cocktails. The two brothers have been outspoken critics of Russia's President Putin and are aware of the danger they now face. Yahoo Sports highlighted the perils that lie ahead. It wrote: "There is an immense amount of bravery required to slip between the ropes and fight another man who has trained for months to defeat you. That's child's play compared to the fight the Klitschkos face today."