Anthony Joshua delivered one of the great nights in British boxing annals by stopping Ukrainian Wladimir Klitschko in the 11th round to be crowned IBF, WBA and IBO world heavyweight champion in front of 90,000 fans at Wembley Stadium on Saturday.
Wladimir and his brother Vitali have both vowed to take up arms against invading Russian forces.
Vitali Klitschko said Kyiv was under threat and the main priority was to work with police and military forces to support critical infrastructure including the delivery of electricity, gas and water for its citizens.
Novak Djokovic has offered financial support and any other help required to Ukrainian former world number 31 Sergiy Stakhovsky, who has enlisted in his country's reserve army amid Russia's invasion of its neighbour.
World heavyweight champion Tyson Fury has been stripped of his IBF title, one of three he won by beating Wladimir Klitschko, after agreeing to a contracted rematch with the Ukrainian instead of fighting the IBF's mandatory challenger.
'You are an instrument at the hands of one man with one ambition -- to resurrect the Soviet Union... For ambitions of one man, we are paying a very high price.'
'There's no going back in time, but I hope those who ignored, downplayed, and appeased Putin for so long feel some shame today. Enough at least to do everything possible to stop him now.'
Newly crowned heavyweight champion Tyson Fury has attracted fresh controversy after making a string of sexist remarks, including some directing at Olympic and world heptathlete champion Jessica Ennis-Hill.
Wladimir Klitschko used his big jab to extend a nine-year reign as world heavyweight champion.
The association overseeing professional boxing in Britain suspended heavyweight boxer Tyson Fury's licence on Thursday.
Underdog Tyson Fury caused a huge boxing upset on Saturday, stunning Wladimir Klitschko with a points victory to snatch the champion's four titles and become the first Briton to hold a world heavyweight crown since 2011.
Ukraine on mission to ban Russia from Paris Olympics
Heavyweight world boxing champion Tyson Fury has tested positive for cocaine, ESPN reported on Friday citing a leaked letter sent by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Agency (VADA).
Ukraine's Wladimir Klitschko retained his WBO, IBF and IBO world heavyweight titles on Saturday with a technical knockout of Hasim Rahman in round seven. The referee stopped the fight after Klitschko, 32, landed a series of punches to Rahman's head and the American retreated to the ropes, barely able to stand. The Ukrainian had already knocked him down in round six.
'My country and my pride are more important to me than a belt'
Klitschko and his brother Vitali, also a former world heavyweight champion and now the mayor of Kyiv, have both taken up arms against invading Russian forces.
Wladimir Klitschko has accused world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury of throwing boxing into disrepute after the Briton twice called off a fight against the Ukrainian, briefly retired from the sport and admitted to substance abuse.
Rediff.com brings you the second instalment of the Best Sports Photos of the Year!
The champion's 24th win from 25 professional fights sets up the prospect of a mouth-watering unification clash next year with fellow Briton Tyson Fury who holds the WBC belt.
Manchester City and Everton players took to the field wearing Ukrainian flags before their Premier League game on Saturday while there were anti-war messages at stadiums elsewhere following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Mike Tyson has branded the Amateur International Boxing Association's (AIBA) decision to let professional fighters take part in the 2016 Rio Olympics as "ridiculous" and "foolish".
Underdog Tony Bellew stopped former WBA heavyweight champion David Haye in the 11th round of their thrilling clash at London's O2 Arena.
The postponement of major sporting events during the coronavirus pandemic has left some British charities concerned about their survival, representatives have told Reuters, while others are worried about delivering services to vulnerable people.
A summary of sports events and sports persons, who made news on Thursday
Tyson Fury has been provoking fury well beyond the ring with his pronouncements on homosexuality, women, fellow athletes and a range of other topics.
A summary of sports events and persons who made news on Sunday
Summary of sports events and persons who made news on Thursday
Summary of sports events and persons who made news on Saturday
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