He had requested citizenship from Putin
American boxer Kevin Johnson, who had appealed to Russian President Vladimir Putin saying he wanted to become a Russian citizen, has been granted citizenship.
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The 44-year-old American boxer Kevin Johnson, who requested Russian citizenship from Russian President Vladimir Putin after defeating Russian boxer Vyacheslav Datsik last April, has officially become a Russian citizen and achieved his goal. Johnson, who became eligible for Russian citizenship through a decree signed by Putin on January 9, received his new ID and passport at a ceremony held at the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs in the capital, Moscow.
Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs spokesperson Irina Volk stated in a press release, "Today, my colleagues at the Central Headquarters of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs in Moscow presented the passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation to professional boxer Kevin Johnson in an official ceremony."
HE ATTENDED THE CEREMONY WEARING A PUTIN T-SHIRT
Attending the ceremony in a T-shirt featuring Putin's image, Johnson said in his speech, "I decided to change my name as a compliment to President Putin. From now on, I am Kevin Vladimirovich in 'honor' of Vladimir Putin. It's not a joke, I am 100 percent Russian."
HE HAD APPEALED TO RUSSIAN PRESIDENT PUTIN
Speaking to Putin through a microphone handed to him after defeating Russian boxer Datsik, Johnson had said, "Mr. Vladimir Putin, if you are watching and listening, I, Kevin Johnson, am truly ready to make a life-long change. I want to appeal to the President, respected Vladimir Putin, if you are watching and listening, I, Kevin Johnson, want to continue my career by settling here permanently. With your approval, I want to receive a Russian passport and have Russia be my home."
Johnson was previously a World Boxing Council (WBC) world champion. Having stepped into the ring 60 times to date, Johnson has achieved 36 wins, 22 losses, and 2 draws.