Ukrainian boxing star Klitschko to run for president in 2015

Ukraine's former World Boxing Council heavyweight champion and opposition politician Vitali Klitschko has announced that he will run for president in the 2015 election.

"I want to confirm that I'm running for president," Klitschko told the country's parliament Thursday, reports Xinhua.

Klitschko's announcement came shortly after Ukrainian parliament passed a controversial bill, which may force the boxing star out of the presidential race.

Klitschko, who resides in Germany, is facing the risk of being disqualified from the elections in March 2015, as the candidates for presidency are required to stay in Ukraine for ten years.

The 42-year-old boxer and the leader of Udar party with 42 seats in parliament started his political career in 2005 in the Kiev mayor elections.