US boxer who loves Vladimir Putin adjustments identify after getting Russian citizenship

A US boxer has modified his identify in honour of Vladimir Putin after being granted Russian citizenship.

Kevin Johnson, who has defeats to Vladimir Klitschko, Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua on his 36-22-2 professional report, is huge advocate of Putin. He weighed in sporting a shirt with the Russian president’s face on it for his most up-to-date bout in opposition to native Mark Petrovskii in August.

Shortly after his majority resolution loss, the New Jersey-born 44-year-old was reported to have requested to grow to be a Russian citizen himself – and Putin granted his want on Tuesday (January 9), signing a decree which additionally included Canadian ice hockey participant Brendan Leipsic.

READ MORE: Callum Smith’s social gathering plans if he wins world title struggle would make up for drab Christmas

READ MORE: Ricky Hatton splits with sizzling Playboy mannequin girlfriend, 31, as boxer set for Dancing On Ice

This article incorporates affiliate hyperlinks, we’ll obtain a fee on any gross sales we generate from it.
Learn extra

Watch soccer, F1, golf, tennis, cricket and extra

Get all the game you would ever ask for

Sky Sports is bringing you 500 reside soccer video games to look at, as effectively entry to Cricket, Golf, F1, Boxing, NFL, NBA and extra throughout eight devoted channels. Sky Sports is the solely option to watch all of the motion this yr.

£22 a month

Sky

Johnson will now legally change his identify to Kevin Vladimirovich, adopting Putin’s center identify. He follows within the footsteps of legendary four-division champ Roy Jones Jr, who obtained his Russian citizenship in 2015, in addition to US actor Steven Seagal.

He’s twice beforehand fought in Moscow, together with his majority resolution loss to Petrovskii, after which he mentioned: “This is it proper right here, I’m actually able to make a lifelong change.

“And I would like to say to the president, the honourable Vladimir Putin, if you’re watching this and you’re listening, I Kevin Johnson is looking to move here to Moscow to become a full resident here to pursue my career.”

Johnson has since been reported to have settled within the metropolis of Samara. Reacting to getting his new passport, he advised the Elephant News Network: “It’s my birthday! It’s my new birthday.

“I rang my mom instantly, cancel my start certificates, that is my new birthday. Literally. This is the day I used to be re-born once more. There’s nothing like the current, now’s the chance.”