KIEV, December 26 (RIA Novosti) - The Ukrainian TV network Rada announced on Wednesday its readiness to pay broadcasting fees to boxing-champion-cum-lawmaker Vitali Klitschko if he participates in the fistfights that periodically break out in the nation’s parliament.
Images of the bare-knuckle free-for-all between opposition deputies and their rivals from the ruling Party of Regions during the Supreme Rada’s first session earlier this month made international headlines.
Reigning WBC heavyweight world champion Klitschko, aka ‘Dr. Ironfist,’ did not throw any punches in the two day's of brawling between legislators and later joked that he would only start swinging if the Rada network bought the rights.
“Rada TV is ready with great pleasure and seriousness to discuss with Vitali Klitschko the terms for purchasing promotion rights to his fights, which could be broadcast, for instance, as ‘The Work of a District MP,’” the channel said in a statement.
Klitschko, 41, entered the Supreme Rada on October 28 as the head of his Ukrainian Democratic Alliance for Reforms (UDAR) political party, which now holds 42 seats in the 450-seat body.
