Boxer wears Vladimir Putin t-shirt at weigh in after changing name in his honour
Heavyweight boxer Kevin Vladimirovich weighed in for his latest fight by wearing a Vladimir Putin t-shirt after changing his name in honour of the Russian President.
Vladimirovich, 43, competes in his 60th professional fight tonight as he takes on unbeaten youngster Mark Petrovsky in Moscow. The bout comes just a week after the journeyman boxer, who was born in New Jersey, seemingly obtained Russian citizenship and legally changed his surname from Johnson to Vladimirovich.
"As a compliment to President Vladimir Putin, I decided to change my name. I will now be called Kevin Vladimirovich in honour of Vladimir Putin. Now I am 100 per cent, no joke, 100 per cent Russian," Vladimirovich told Russian newspaper Izvestia. Vladimirovich isn't the first American boxer to appear to become a Russian citizen. Ring icon Roy Jones Jr also did the same back in 2015 after forming a relationship with Putin.
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Vladimirovich made his professional debut two decades ago and has since fought against past and present heavyweight champions such as Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua and Andy Ruiz Jr. Vladimirovich is a one-time world title challenger as he put his unbeaten record on the line against Vitali Klitschko in 2009, with the now-Mayor of Kyiv winning a one-sided decision on the night.
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The 43-year-old is no stranger to fighting in Russia as he won a decision against convicted felon and Neo-nazi heavyweight Viacheslav Datsik in Moscow earlier this year. After the fight, Vladimirovich voiced his admiration for Russia and sent a message to Putin.
"This is it right here, I am really ready to make a life-long change. I would like to say to the President the Honourable Vladimir Putin, if you're watching this and listening.
'I am looking to move here to Moscow to become a full resident here to pursue my career. With you and your approval, I would like to apply for a Russian passport so Russia can be my home," he said.
Vladimirovich boasts a professional record of 36-21-2 although his win against Datsik in March didn't go on his professional record.
His fight tonight against Petrovsky, who has a record of 5-0, will be his first under his new surname Some of his notable opponents include British heavyweights Martin Bakole, Nathan Gorman and Derek Chisora.
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