US heavyweight Kevin Johnson got here near the highest of the boxing world earlier than his star light. Now he needs to revive his profession from Russia, the place he has turn into President Vladimir Putin’s cheerleader.
Relations between the West and Russia have reached historic lows after Moscow’s offensive in Ukraine, which lasted virtually three years, additionally hitting the world of sport arduous.
But the 45-year-old American from New Jersey says he has discovered a “recipe” for fulfillment in his new dwelling, the place this yr he was granted citizenship by a decree from Putin.
“It’s all concerning the components. Life is components. And the components in Russia are plentiful. They make recipe,” he advised AFP forward of a extremely publicized bout on Friday in opposition to blended martial arts champion Vitaly Minakov.
Johnson has turn into a characteristic of automotive reveals and celeb pages in Russia, and has even appeared on a cooking present.
He usually boasts of his admiration for Putin and wears a T-shirt with the president’s picture as a “signal of respect.”
He additionally likes to cite a music by present pro-Kremlin pop star Shaman, titled “I Am Russian.”
– A decade of defeats –
The concept to maneuver to Russia was impressed by his promoter and buddy Vladimir Khryunov, who invited him in 2023 to attempt to give a second wind to his boxing profession and ease the worldwide isolation across the Russian sporting world.
Johnson remained unbeaten till 2009, when he misplaced to Ukrainian Vitali Klitschko in a WBC championship match in Bern, Switzerland.
He went on to win the IBF Australian heavyweight title in 2012, however his profession has since taken a flip for the more severe, with round 20 defeats and simply 10 wins over the subsequent 10 years.
He arrived in Russia alone along with his canine, a Cane Corso.
After profitable his first struggle in Russia in April 2023, he declared that he needed Russian citizenship, a transfer that his promoter praised as “an act of braveness”.
Relations between Russia and international sports activities organizations have been strained by the state-sponsored doping scandal following the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics.
They worsened after Russia’s determination to ship troops to Ukraine in February 2022, which led to a ban on Russian athletes.
Putin granted Johnson nationality by decree underneath an categorical process used for others, together with US actor Steven Seagal.
“It is the best honor on this planet to be a Russian citizen,” mentioned Johnson, who speaks just a few phrases of Russian.
He took on the patronymic Vladimirovich “in honor of our president”.
– ‘Officer Vladimirovich’ –
The boxer, who lives in a Moscow suburb, has additionally registered with the military for potential mobilization, a requirement underneath Russian legislation.
The AFP was invited to attend his registration on the navy draft workplace, which he was one thing of a spectacle, arriving wearing khaki with a navy fur hat.
“I assumed they’d give me a gun in the present day. I used to be prepared. Yes! Officer Vladimirovich. I’m prepared,” he joked.
In concept he might now be mobilized, however he’s not obliged to carry out navy service resulting from his age.
In an interview with AFP he mentioned he was dedicated to his new homeland, however refused to speak concerning the battle in Ukraine.
He views Putin favorably in comparison with US President Joe Biden.
“Putin is the president in Russia; he’s the commander in chief. He represents his nation!” he mentioned, echoing common methods of describing Putin utilized by his Russian supporters, whereas criticizing Biden.
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