American boxer Johnson said what he would do first after receiving a Russian passport

American-born boxer Kevin Johnson said he obtained Russian citizenship because he wanted to stay in Russia and also stressed that he would now be able to work full time.

Johnson received his Russian passport on Thursday in Moscow. The 44-year-old boxer wore a T-shirt bearing the image of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

— I can’t say that it was difficult to obtain a Russian passport. It’s not so much difficult as it is very exciting.

— What is the first thing you will do after obtaining citizenship?

— I’m going to find a job to pay the bills (laughs). Now I need a full-time job.

— Why did you want to obtain Russian citizenship?

– I want to be here. I would like to be in Brazil, I would like to take Brazilian nationality, if I wanted to be in Colombia, I would like to become Colombian. I want to be in Russia.

— What will you do with American citizenship?

– Never mind. I have a family, a daughter. They need my support. And it will be easier for me to see them. For now, my family came with me.

— How long do you plan to stay in Russia?

— It would be more accurate to talk about how long Russia plans for me to stay here. It’s easier. I’m not going anywhere, I’m here. “I’m going to be here for a long time,” says a correspondent, reporting Johnson’s comments.

On Thursday, promoter Vladimir Khryunov told that Johnson’s first fight as a Russian citizen would be a February boxing bout against Vyacheslav Datsik.

In the professional ring, Johnson has 36 victories, 22 defeats and two draws. The American met in fights with Vitali Klitschko, Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua, Derek Chisora ​​​​​​​​and others.

Johnson is not the first American boxer to receive a Russian passport. In 2015, the document was received by the former world champion in several weight categories, Roy Jones Jr.