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Russia’s US-born boxing champ Johnson eyes several bouts this year, no plans to exit ring

Last week, the pugilist won his first fight under the colors of the Russian national flag, defeating Ireland’s Sean Turner

MOSCOW, February 20. /TASS/. Russia’s US-born heavyweight boxer Kevin Johnson told TASS on Tuesday he had no intentions at all of wrapping up his boxing career.

The 44-year-old fighter said he wanted to continue his boxing career and had no plans at all to retire from the ring. According to Johnson, he continues to get enjoyment from the "sweet science," as the sport of boxing is sometimes known. Moreover, he wants to hold several bouts this year.

Last week, the pugilist won his first fight under the colors of the Russian national flag, defeating Ireland’s Sean Turner. The bout was held in the Russian capital of Moscow on February 16 and the opponents boxed wearing Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) gloves. Johnson, who obtained a Russian passport last month, won the fight by technical knockout (TKO) in the fourth round.

On January 9, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree granting Russian citizenship to Johnson.

Johnson had filed an application to become a Russian citizen in September 2023, and his representative later disclosed that the athlete decided to take a Russian patronymic, or middle name, in honor of the Russian president, thus he is now officially known as Kevin Vladimirovich Johnson in his passport.

Born in Asbury Park, New Jersey, and known as the "Kingpin," Johnson boasts a career record of 36 wins (20 by KO), 22 defeats (three by KO) and two draws in his 60 professional boxing bouts.

In December 2009, he challenged Ukrainian boxer Vitali Klitschko for the World Boxing Council (WBC) heavyweight title belt, but eventually lost, while becoming only the second boxer to manage to go all 12 rounds in the ring against the famous Ukrainian fighter, who has retired from professional sports and now serves as mayor of Kiev.

In October 2017, Johnson won the International Boxing Organization (IBO) championship belt by defeating Italy’s Francesco Pianeta, but failed to defend his title the following year against Croatia’s Petar Milas.

Irish boxer Turner, 32, boasts a professional boxing career record of 12 wins (eight by KO) and four defeats (two by KO).

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