Boxer Kevin Johnson has been close to the top but, for more than a decade, he has had a series of defeats. It is in Russia, a sporting power excluded from the concert of nations, that this American-turned-Russian seeks to relaunch himself, without ever forgetting to proclaim his admiration for Vladimir Putin.
At 45, this African-American from New Jersey says he is certain of finding the “recipe” for success in this country. Especially since its president granted him Russian nationality by decree in January 2024.
“Life is a question of ingredients. And, in Russia, these ingredients are abundant for a good recipe,” says Vladimirovich
“Life is a question of ingredients. And, in Russia, these ingredients are abundant for a good recipe,” assures AFP this giant with the little black beard and diamond-set earrings. He was scheduled to face Vitaly Minakov, a mixed martial arts (MMA) champion, in a high-profile fight in Moscow on Friday.
Johnson not only steps into the ring but stars at a car show or cooks for a TV show, when he’s not making headlines in the celebrity press.
His public appearances are often adorned with patriotism dedicated to the head of state. Thus, he wears a T-shirt with the image of Vladimir Putin, as a “sign of respect for our president”.
He also took as his motto “I am Russian”, the title of the hit by pro-Kremlin singer Shaman.
This strategy was inspired by his promoter and friend, Vladimir Khriounov, who invited him to Russia in 2023 to breathe new life into his boxing career and help bring Russian sport out of its international isolation.
Kevin Johnson, who has been fighting in the heavyweight category since 2002, was undefeated until 2009.
That year, he lost to Ukrainian legend Vitali Klitschko, after a fight for the WBC champion title in Bern, Switzerland.
Although he won an IBF title in Australia in 2012, his star only faded, with around twenty defeats against ten victories over the following ten years.
Arriving in Russia alone with his dog, a cane-corso, he won his first fight in April 2023 and announced that he wanted to become a Russian citizen.
Its promoter praises its “act of courage”, as relations between Moscow and world sporting bodies are corrupted by conflicts, whether it is the state doping scandal which followed the 2014 Olympics in Sochi or the banning of Russian athletes since the offensive against Ukraine in February 2022.
It is therefore by a decree from Mr. Putin that Kevin Johnson obtains the nationality of his host country, benefiting from an express procedure tested by others, such as the American actor Steven Seagal.
“It is the greatest honor to be a Russian citizen,” Kevin Johnson assures AFP in English, who only stammers a few words of Russian.
In his civil status, he gave himself the surname “Vladimirovitch”. A “sign of recognition” towards Mr. Putin.
The boxer, who lives in the Moscow suburb of Mytishchi, was registered in the military register there, as Russian law requires him to do.
A process to which the AFP was invited to attend at the end of November and into which he injected a little theatricality, presenting himself dressed all in khaki, military chapka on his head.
“I thought I was going to get my gun back today. I was ready. Officer Vladimirovich, yeah! Officer Vladimirovich. I’m ready,” he joked.
In theory, he can now be mobilized by the army but has no military service to perform due to his age.
During an interview with AFP, he assured that he was devoted body and soul to his adopted homeland but refused to broach the subject of the conflict in Ukraine.
“I always sing the song ‘I am Russian’, it’s my song, my slogan,” says the man whose mother and six brothers and sisters still live in the United States.
“Russia has a real president, a real commander in chief who defends it,” he continues, before attacking the president of his country of origin whom the Kremlin considers an existential enemy.
“What we have in America is a so-called president,” he asserts, a few weeks before the transfer of power between Joe Biden and Donald Trump.
