SEVASTOPOL (Sputnik) – The president also expressed hope that the US boxer would achieve success in business in Russia.
"If you are planning to devote most of your life to work in Russia, then, of course, we will be happy and pleased to fulfill your request about obtaining Russian citizenship," Putin said.
Jones replied by saying that he loves Russia because people there love sports, and added that if he had a Russian passport it would be much easier for him to travel and do business in this country.
According to him, sport can contribute to "building a bridge" between Russia and the United States.
Roy Jones, Jr., 46, holds numerous world titles in the middleweight, super middleweight, light heavyweight and heavyweight divisions. The US Boxing Writers Association named Jones "Fighter of the Decade" for the 1990s.
