If you fight, you win. If you don't fight, you don't win.
Vitali Klitschko in Bangkok for the the WBC World Convention last week.
The words could be heard over and over again as Vitali Klitschko spoke to journalists during the WBC World Convention in Bangkok last week about his plan to run in Ukraine's presidential election in 2015.
The 42-year-old WBC heavyweight champion, who entered politics almost a decade ago, says what he has learned from boxing is an asset for him in the political arena.
"There are many skills I have learned from boxing that apply to politics," said Klitschko (45-2, 41 KOs).
"Organisation, discipline, to know how to build a good team and reach goals. Finding out how to accomplish what you want and getting it done, no matter what gets in your way. Finding out how you make your goals come true."
Organisation, discipline, teamwork and goal setting _ ask any fighter about the benefit of combat sports and you will hear these words. But beyond the standard martial arts cliche, Klitschko's history as a boxer has influenced him in another way.
His fervent speeches in front of the Ukrainian parliament, fearlessly staring down his political opponents, and sometimes emphatically striking his hands against the rostrum, all mark the sign of a man who has been fighting his entire life even the acronym of his political party, Udar (the Ukrainian Democratic Alliance for Reform), means 'punch' in Ukrainian.
It is a combination that the Ukrainian people might need _ the country's 20-year democracy is still in its infancy and has been plagued by corruption and controversy. The nation ranks among the most corrupt countries in the world _ a fact Klitschko said hurt him deeply.
Klitschko, right, addresses a parliament session in Kiev last month.
Navigating the political climate in Ukraine, and daring to take the reins of a system brimming with dishonesty, is not a job for the faint of heart. But then again, neither is boxing.
For the past decade, Klitschko has towered over the sport's most prestigious division alongside his brother and fellow heavyweight boxer, Wladimir.
Only Rocky Marciano holds a higher career knockout win percentage than Klitschko. He hasn't lost a fight since 2003, and is eighth on the list of the longest championship runs in heavyweight history.
Known for blistering power punches and an iron chin, he is dubbed 'Dr Ironfist' _ a reference to his PhD in sports science.
But the reigning WBC heavyweight champion says boxing is fair but politics is often not.
"In boxing we have clear rules," he said. "In politics, especially in a young democratic country like Ukraine, it is more similar to fighting with no rules. I want to help bring more rules and regulations to the political system. We are prepared to fight for that."
The heavyweight bruiser got a taste of how frustrating politics can be last month after Ukraine's ruling party, the Party of Regions, amended tax legislation that could prevent Klitschko from running for presidency.
Under the new amendment, Klitschko's permanent residency status in Germany could eliminate his Ukrainian residency, barring him from a presidential run.
Klitschko seemed irritated but undeterred by the move, claiming it was a direct attempt to stifle his political ambitions. Moments later he announced his intention to contest the presidential election.
His allies in the boxing world have rallied by his side. WBC executive director Mauricio Sulaiman proclaimed at the WBC World Convention that the organisation is throwing its full support behind him.
"Our hero, Vitali Klitschko, announced his campaign to run for president of his country, Ukraine," Sulaiman said at the convention's opening ceremony.
"The WBC joins Vitali in his quest. We are certain that he will win. He is a champion inside the ring, and a champion of life."
To label Klitschko as a boxer with mere political ambitions would be to undercut his chances in the upcoming election.
He holds a lengthy political resume dating back to before his current heavyweight championship run, and a recent popularity poll in Ukraine shows Udar is making significant gains on the Party of Regions and President Viktor Yanukovich whose popularity has dropped as the economy continues to decline.
Since Klitschko's most recent fight in September last year when he defeated Manuel Charr, Udar has won 42 seats in Ukraine's 450-seat parliament.
"Our country has been independent for 20 years now, and over this time many of us have talked about the potential of Ukraine. Ukraine has huge potential, but we haven't used it," said Klitschko, who wants Ukraine to join the European Union.
"We are fighting for a European future, we want to build the same European life standards."
There may never be a time when Klitschko's boxing mentality is not linked with his political outlook. He often uses the word fight when describing his country's future, but he knows boxing and his country better than most people.
"I know better than anyone," he said.
"No fight, no win. We need to fight if we want a better future."
Klitschko, right, beat Manuel Charr to retain his WBC heavyweight title in September last year in Moscow.
