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Rematch between Russia’s US-born boxer Johnson, Ireland’s Turner set for May

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

MOSCOW, March 26. /TASS/. Russian citizen and US-born heavyweight boxing champion Kevin Johnson will have a second fight with Ireland’s Sean Turner in May, Russian boxing promoter Vladimir Khryunov told TASS on Tuesday.

"Johnson is scheduled to hold a rematch on May 25," Khryunov said. "The fight will be held in the town of Balashikha [in the Moscow Region]."

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

In mid-February, 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 won the fight by technical knockout (TKO) in the fourth round.

Johnson, 44, who obtained a Russian passport last month, had initially applied to become a Russian citizen in September 2023. 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.

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