Kevin Johnson admires Russia and Vladimir Putin.
Kevin Johnson acquired a Russian passport. PDO
American boxer Kevin Johnson, 44, has adopted Vladimir Putin’s middle name, Vladimirovich. A Russian website tells about it Sport24.
Johnson’s full name is currently Kevin Vladimirovich Johnson. At birth, the man was given the second name Blue.
The heavyweight fighter also recently received Russian citizenship, which he applied for in August.
Johnson has said that he fell in love with Russia when he fought in the country for the first time in 2019. When he returned to Russia in 2023, he made an official request to Putin in the ring after the fight.
– I would like to get Russian citizenship, live here and be part of this country, he declared.
Johnson has also said that he dreams of playing a chess match against Putin.
– I still have to hone my skills, because Putin is the most respected and admired person I know. The fact that I could sit opposite him at a game of chess would be a dream, the boxer said last March.
Johnson has fought for the WBC title against Vitali Klitschko in 2009. Since then, he has also been seen in WBA, WBO and WBC international and inter-continental title matches.
In recent years, the Russian admirer has had a bad back in the ring. His record currently stands at 36 wins and 22 losses.