Some boxers are idiots. Others are former WBC champions with doctoral degrees in sports medicine and philosophy. Ukrainian fighter Vitali Klitschko is the latter. Retiring in 2006 after a horrible knee surgery, Klitschko has now turned his vigor towards alleviating corruption and beating the shit out of those dirty politicians who take bribes and have prostitutes stored in their closets. Whoa.

“There is too much political corruption in Kiev, which is hurting this city in terms of development,” Klitschko said recently by telephone from the city, where he lives with his wife and three children. He works as a city councilman in Kiev, the capital of Ukraine with a population of about 3 million. “We need to bring Kiev up to proper European and American standards. But legitimate businessmen cannot invest money here, because the only deals made with this government are made under the table with their family and friends.”

And in caves lit by torches made from the bones of traitors, Klitschko. Vitali is the only heavyweight in boxing history who never suffered a knockdown in his professional career, so those politicians have a lot to worry about.

Shifting Focus From Boxing Arena to Political Arena [NYTimes]
Image [NYTimes]