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Ex-world boxing champions to defend Ukraine

The Klitschko Brothers - Level 4

Two ex-boxing world champions have vowed to take up arms to help defend their capital Kyiv. They are Vitali Klitschko, 50, and his brother Wladimir, 45, both Ukrainian. Vitali is Kyiv's mayor. He was world heavyweight champion for a decade. He said: "I don't have any choice.…I'll be fighting. It's already a bloody war." Wladimir tweeted: "Destruction and death come upon us.…We will defend ourselves with all our might and fight for freedom and democracy."

The brothers have joined their fellow citizens in defending their city. Authorities have given 18,000 rifles to residents to defend themselves. The two brothers have critisised Russia's President Putin. Yahoo Sports 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."

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11 online activities    |    8-page printable   (PDF)

The Klitschko Brothers - Level 5

Two former boxing world champions have joined the biggest fight of their lives. They are Vitali Klitschko, 50, and his brother Wladimir, 45. Both are Ukrainian, and they have vowed to take up arms to help defend their capital Kyiv. Vitali is currently the city's mayor. He retired from boxing in 2013, having been heavyweight champion for a decade. He said: "I don't have another choice.…I'll be fighting. It's already a bloody war." Wladimir 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 their fellow citizens in defending their city. Authorities have already given 18,000 rifles to residents to defend themselves. There are also images on social media of people learning to make Molotov cocktails. The two brothers have critisised Russia's President Putin and are aware of the danger they face. Yahoo Sports 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."

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11 online activities    |    8-page printable   (PDF)

The Klitschko Brothers - Level 6

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."

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25 online activities    |    27-page printable    |    2-page mini-lesson