American boxer Roy Jones became a citizen of Russia – BBC Russian

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Image caption At a meeting in Sevastopol, Putin told Jones that will help him to obtain Russian citizenship, if the future of the boxer will be associated with the work in Russia

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree granting Russian citizenship to the American boxer Roy Jones.

According to the document posted on the Kremlin website, application for citizenship granted in accordance with paragraph “a” of Article 89 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation, according to which the President decides questions of citizenship and asylum

The famous American boxer and the absolute world champion Roy Jones applied for Russian citizenship in August this year.

“I want to become an active member of the Russian society. I love the Russian society as it likes me. Russian citizenship would facilitate me the task of building a bridge between the two countries and their associations, “- said the athlete, adding that his decision is not related to politics, and is aimed at strengthening sports and cultural relationships between the US and Russia.

The intention to obtain citizenship, he told Vladimir Putin at a meeting in Sevastopol. The President replied that he would help him, if the future of Roy Jones Jr. will be associated with the work in Russia.

At the same time producer of boxer Vladimir Hryunov said that Roy Jones Jr. will retain US citizenship after obtaining Russian.

Jones was a world champion in four weight classes. He is the only boxer who managed to win the championship belts in the middleweight, middleweight, light heavyweight and cruiserweight scales. On account Jones’ 62 victories in professional boxing and eight defeats.

In January 2013, received the Russian citizenship French actor Gerard Depardieu, threatening to give up French citizenship in protest against the imposition of high taxes on excess profits.