December 12th 2024.
Kevin Johnson, a former American boxer, has recently become a Russian citizen after relocating to the country. Throughout his career, Johnson has fought against some of the biggest names in the heavyweight division, including Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua, and Daniel Dubois. Despite not achieving world title gold in his 2009 fight against Vitali Klitschko, Johnson has become known as a "gatekeeper" fighter, providing tough challenges for up-and-coming boxers before they reach the elite level.
At the age of 45, Johnson is still actively fighting and has found a new home in Russia. He was granted citizenship earlier this year, following in the footsteps of fellow American actor Steven Seagal who also holds Russian citizenship. As part of the process, Johnson even changed his name to Kevin Vladimirovich and registered with the military, as required by Russian law.
In an interview with AFP, Johnson playfully joked about his military registration, arriving dressed in full military attire and expecting to be handed a rifle. He spoke highly of his new country, stating that life in Russia is like a good recipe with all the right ingredients. Johnson also expressed his admiration for Russian President Vladimir Putin, wearing a t-shirt with his face on it during a weigh-in for a fight against Mark Petrovsky in 2023.
But Johnson's time in Russia hasn't been all about boxing. He recently took the time to speak to journalists near a military registration office in Mytishchi, outside Moscow. Reflecting on his career, Johnson mentioned his fights against Fury in 2012 and Dubois in 2018. Although he lost both of these fights, he was able to take Dubois the distance, unlike many of his previous opponents.
In 2015, Johnson faced a young Anthony Joshua, who had been knocking out all of his previous opponents. Johnson was selected as a tough test for Joshua, but ultimately was knocked out in the second round. Despite the loss, Johnson's experience and resilience were evident.
Johnson's move to Russia has provided him with a new opportunity to continue his career and embrace a new culture. He has shown his support and respect for President Putin and the country as a whole, and is grateful for the opportunities and experiences Russia has given him.
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