KIEV (AFP) - Ukrainian world heavyweight boxing champion and opposition leader Vitali Klitschko said on Thursday that he would challenge President Viktor Yanukovych in elections due in March 2015.

"In order to put an end to various rumours and attempts to finish me off as a potential candidate, I would like to announce the following: I am running for president," the 42-year-old Klitschko told a session of parliament.