Former boxing champion Vitali Klitschko elected mayor of Kiev

Vitali Klitschko, twin brother of Wladimir, is a former WBO and WBC heavyweight champion of the world. Over his 16 year professional boxing career, Dr. Ironfist went 45-2, losing only to Chris Byrd in 2000, and Lennox Lewis in 2003. His last fight was in 2012, which he won, retaining the WBC Heavyweight belt.

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Both before and since his boxing career ended, Klitschko has been focused on politics, wanting to fight for a better life for the people of his native Ukraine. He has run for mayor of Kiev on multiple occasions, failing on each of them–until now.

According to Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix, reports are circulating that Klitschko has won election and will become the next mayor of Kiev.

It is an impressive achievement, but one that also comes with much danger. Though the reports have slowed some in the recent months, Ukraine is still rife with turmoil stemming from the overthrow of the government and disputes between pro-Ukraine and pro-Russia parties.

This is not the first time we’ve seen an athlete successfully run for political office, but it is possibly the most important. Because of his boxing success, many people look up to Klitschko, and he will be seen as a beacon of hope to lead Kiev out of the problems they are facing. It will be a difficult task, and Klitschko faces years of hard work ahead of him, but he is no stranger to obstacles.