Posted on 08/22/2015 11:43:51 AM PDT by nickcarraway
American boxer Roy Jones asked Russian President Vladimir Putin to give him Russian citizenship during a meeting in Sevastopol, Wednesday. Snapshot photo by RuptlyTV SEVASTOPOL, Ukraine, Aug. 20 (UPI) -- Former heavyweight world boxing champion Roy Jones Jr. met with President Vladimir Putin Wednesday for a brief meeting in Sevastopol, Crimea, and asked the Kremlin leader for Russian citizenship.
The 46-year-old boxer and rapper arrived to be a special guest in the boxing show The Battle of Mount Gasfort that will take place this weekend, Russia Today reported.
Jones underscored it would be easier to do business in Russia if he had a Russian passport. Putin said that Russian fans would be thrilled to see the WBC ex-champion for shows and other events, and promised to help Jones if he spends enough time in Russia.
"You were highly successful in boxing - like no one else... I don't think there have been any others like you in the world. I hope you will succeed in business here in Russia," Putin said. "If you intend to tie a significant part of your life to activities in Russia, we will, of course, be happy and we will gladly grant your request for Russian citizenship," he added.
"That is why I want to come here. That is why I'm also here," replied Jones. "Because I want to ask you about maybe having a passport to go back and forth so that I can do business here. Because all the people here seem to love Roy Jones Jr. And I love when people love me."
On Thursday, Jones filled in an application seeking Russian citizenship in Yalta, Interfax reported.
Before signing the application, the boxer said sports can help build bridges between Russia and the United States.
Jones is the latest in a line of high-profile figures to meet with Putin.
During a visit to Moscow in 2014, actor Mickey Rourke actor expressed his admiration for Putin, Sky News reported.
"I met him a couple of times and he was a real gentleman, a very cool regular guy, looked me right in the eye. I think he is a good guy," Rourke told reporters.
Steven Seagal also performed a concert in Crimea in August, 2014.
French actor Gerard Depardieu became a Russian citizen in January 2013 after abandoning his home country to avoid paying higher taxes.
It’s only easier to do business in Russia if you are willing to bribe everyone involved.
If only obama spoke so of America.
Steven Seagal did a concert in Russia?
What did he do?
All I can think of is he takes a dive in a fight with Putin.
He sang. No Kidding.
Is this a joke?
Seriously, Roy Jones Jr blows all of his money, then decides to fight again, LOSES, gets a pile of cash and repeats.
It was a joke about Steven Seagal.
Just checked him out on youtube.
He should stick to action movies,....really.
So is this guy simply a moron or does he have brain damage?
Fully moron and fully brain damaged.
That’s a scary thought.
Segal’s a great fighter, but I remember him Guest hosting SNL years ago.
It was the pits. Worst guest they ever had. Painful to watch, he had no comic ability, and no acting ability.
I can’t imagine him singing.
Tax issues?
I understand, as does Gerard Depardieu, and to a lesser extent, Will Smith (in France: “75%?... urp). In the interests of fairness, the USA has become quite repressive financially if you rise a bit above the crowd.
Back in his day, Roy Jones, Jr. was the best.
I honestly never heard of him...
"Jones left his mark in boxing history when he won the WBA Heavyweight title, becoming the first former middleweight champion to win a heavyweight title in 106 years. Jones was named "Fighter of the Decade" for the 1990s by the Boxing Writers Association of America."
He was a pretty big deal.
-PJ
http://kremlin.ru/acts/news/50271 [Translated with google chrome.]
The Decree on admission to the citizenship of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin signed a decree "On the granting of citizenship of the Russian Federation." September 12, 2015 13:30 The text of the Decree: In accordance with paragraph "a" of Article 89 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation decrees: Granted the application for citizenship of the Russian Federation Jones ml. Roy Levesty born January 16, 1969 in the United States.
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