In December 2009, an American Kevin Johnson boxed with Vitali Klitschko for the WBC belt, but suffered his first career failure around this time. Then Johnson boxed with all the top heavyweights – Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua, Andy Ruiz, Derek Chisora, Manuel Charr, Kubrat Pulev, Daniel Dubois, Filip Hrgovic, Mariusz Wach, Martin Bakole and many more.
Recently, Johnson, 43, often organizes exhibition fights in Russia. On August 18, in Moscow, he will meet the Russian 2021 world champion Mark Petrovsky.
But the American attracted special attention in April, and not even with a victory over Vyacheslav Datsik, but with an appeal to Russian President Vladimir Putin with a request to obtain Russian citizenship immediately after this triumph. Now Johnson has completed the necessary documents in Samara and assures that in the next few days he will officially become a citizen of the Russian Federation. In a conversation with correspondents, Kevin Johnson said:
Why does he like Russia?
– foods classified in the United States;
– expressed his attitude towards the President of the Russian Federation;
– spoke of unusual difficulties in completing citizenship papers;
– answered the question if he would follow Jeff Monson’s example and refuse a US passport;
— shares his own knowledge of the Russian language;
– names the best boxer in Russian history.
“There are incomparable girls in Russia, how can you not want to live here?”
Why did you decide to obtain Russian citizenship?
“There are fabulous girls everywhere, bro! “How can you not want to live here? I have been in awe of Russia for 18 years. I have been here several times. Yes, I did not have the opportunity to live here permanently for a long time. The longest period I have spent in Russia is three months. Then I lived in Chekhov and fought with Povetkin. Several times I came to Russia to see certain people or to fight. It’s not a problem for me to come to new places, I’ve traveled all over the world. But not everywhere where I received such support to continue fighting, like in Russia. I’d rather stay here than go home.
– You can love Russia, but it is not necessary to become a citizen of it. You want to get citizenship.
– Yes definitely. I love Russia, the best president is here. Simply the best!
What do you like about our president?
– All! You have to understand one thing – I grew up on the streets. In the streets of all countries: Russia, America, Germany, Africa, Australia, Great Britain, there is only one rule: respect! Nobody knows what it should look like, but you should always express it, no matter where you go.
Anyone who is one-on-one with your president and looks him in the eye is expressing respect. And therefore everywhere: in all countries and all cities. If I come with respect, then you give it back to me, that’s how it works.
– When will you officially become Russian?
— In a few days, I just finished the paperwork. In principle, there is nothing complicated in this, but the problem is that too much information was needed. For example, my father’s birthday. Shit, he’s dead! Few people know this information. My mother and my brother are busy people, it is not always possible to contact them. But such small details should not be missing from a huge questionnaire. Knowing my father’s date of birth was the most difficult. I called the funeral director where he was buried to get this information.
– In which city will you be registered?
– In Samara.
“Not all the food in America is real”
– Describe in three words why you love Russia.
“It’s simple: women, food, culture. There is one thing you need to understand. One day I will return to America to see my mother. I love my mother, she is always in my heart. But what am I going to eat there? All the food there is genetically modified, the chicken isn’t! What will I eat ? I’m a fucking fanatic! I am a health freak.
America has terrible food. Maybe there’s something else you don’t like?
“Only food, nothing else. I just want to come to America, see my mom, walk around, shop, hang out with her. But what am I going to eat there?
— What do your family and friends think of the decision to obtain Russian citizenship?
They support me! Look, I’m from one of the most dangerous towns in New Jersey, Asbury Park. Five of my friends have died in the past five weeks. All were around 40 years old. One of them for medical reasons, but someone killed the others.
– Many people in the world think that Russia is an enemy.
– Whose enemy? Nelson Mandela said it well: “People expect their enemy to become your enemy. But I am not a follower, but a leader. I never followed anyone. It’s difficult for me. I’m not going to do that. Do you want your enemy to become my enemy? Who the hell are you? My enemy is my enemy. Never had a problem here in 18 years.
“You said you liked the food in Russia. Which one exactly?
— My favorite dish that I eat every day is pasta with milk sausages, salmon and parmesan cheese.
“But it’s not really Russian food.
– There is a purely Russian dish, the name of which I simply cannot pronounce. I often go to a Russian restaurant and order chicken and pork dishes. I also like shrimp and other seafood.
— Do you like okroshka, borscht?
— Yes, it is very good healthy food. It’s true, sometimes it’s sharp. I’m a big fan of soups in general. By the way, I eat once a day. I don’t eat from dawn to dusk. I eat normally, once – after sunset at 10 p.m.
“I do not plan to renounce American citizenship”
– Jeff Monson received Russian citizenship and renounced US citizenship. Do you have any ideas for following his example?
“Not at the moment, because I will have to go back to America. I have too much to do there. I have a house there, a mother, a daughter, six brothers and sisters. And they can’t all travel now. I haven’t seen my family for five years.
During this time, I traveled all over the world. From the Dominican Republic I flew to Colombia, from there to London, then to Germany for business. At that time the coronavirus and BLM happened, I didn’t have the opportunity to go back to America. I did business, went to Serbia, then returned to Germany, from where I came to Russia.
– It turns out that you will have two passports – Russian and American.
– Yes.
“How long are you going to live in Russia?”
– Always. I always come to Russia because my mother is going to Thailand. It is better to have heavenly apartments all over the world than to live in a single house. I bought myself a small house in Thailand where I can spend my holidays and relax when I get old.
“What Russian words do you know?”
— My favorite expression is: “You are very beautiful” (the speaker speaks in Russian). Naturally, this is referring to a lady. I have a Russian teacher, whose name is Victoria, and she has a dog (the last word speaks Russian). So I know the phrases “come here”, “my name is”, “how are you”, “very good”, “excellent”.
“Povetkin is the best boxer in the history of Russia”
– Well, a few questions about sports. How long do you plan to perform? When do you plan to end your career?
— When the promoter tells me to. As soon as he says so, I am everything!
– Well, a year or two or three?
– Three more years.
– Who do you consider the best Russian boxer in history?
– This is Alexander Povetkin.
– Many, answering such a question, call Konstantin Tszyu.
“No, Povetkin. He is the best in every way. He is intelligent, robust, moves perfectly in the ring. I know him very well. He is the best!
Live broadcasts of boxing tournaments can be viewed on and Match! Fighter”, as well as on the sites matchtv.ru and sportbox.ru.
Source : MatchTV
I am Ashley Ortiz and I am a professional journalist working for Athletistic. My specialty is in sports journalism, particularly boxing. I have written articles for some of the most renowned publications on the subject, and my work has been featured across both print and digital media platforms.
