Hall of Fame boxers, brothers Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko, made an appeal for support of Ukraine via social media recently. The former Heavyweight Champions of the World, both from the Ukraine, remain their in respective roles, influencing civilians to stand up to fight the Russians.

Klitschko Brothers Ready to Fight

Vitali serves as the mayor of Ukraine’s capital city, Kyiv. He now plans to join the fight, defending Ukraine against the Russian invasion.

“It’s already a bloody war,” Vitali Klitschko told “Good Morning Britain,” reported ESPN, “… I don’t have another choice. Vitali continued: “I have to do that. I would fight.”

The 50-year-old Vitali took over as mayor in 2014. He also heads the Kyiv City State Administration, according to ESPN. Since then, Vitali emerged as a leader protesting ties with Russia. Now the boxer’s city faces annihilation from a superior attacking force, a fight his brother also recently officially joined. Wladimir enlisted in the Ukraine’s reserve army in Kyiv Wednesday.

“It is the love, the love for my city, my home, my family, my neighbours, my daughter that has brought me here today, that I took this initiative and am now taking part in this territorial defence,” Wladimir said after enlisting, reported Reuters. “One district from here, my little girl is going to school. The school is currently closed because the ambassadors have sent the families home.”

Both Klitschko brothers hope for a peaceful, diplomatic resolution to the conflict. But these men remain fighters. It’s in their blood. And the Heavyweight Champs seem poised to help lead their brothers in arms if negotiations fail.

“If not, we have to prepare to take weapons in our hands, and defend the country,” Vitali said, reported Reuters.

Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko bring name recognition and considerable influence to the Ukrainian call to arms. And it seems to be working. More than 10,000 Ukrainians reportedly drew weapons from the government recently.