Four division world champion Roy Jones Jr could conceivably become a Russian citizen after president Vladimir Putin said he would be glad to grant a request for Russian citizenship from Roy Jones Jr.
Super Sport in South Africa reported that Putin and the American boxer had tea on Wednesday in Crimea's naval port city of Sevastopol, as shown in photographs released by the Kremlin.
The 46-year-old Jones was in Crimea to appear as a guest at a boxing show on Sunday.
Jones who has a record of 62-8 with 45 knockouts is coming off a 6th round knockout in a scheduled ten round bout against Eric Watkings at the Foxwoods Resort and Casino in Connecticut last August 16.
It was reported that Jones, who has branched out into rap and acting in films, told Putin: "If I had a Russian passport? it would be a lot easier for me to come and go, because people love sport here and I love this place."
Putin is said to have replied: "If you intend to link a significant part of your life with activities in Russia, then of course we will be glad and will fulfill your request to receive Russian citizenship."
Boxing promoter Vladimir Khryunov, who works with Jones in Russia, told the Russian news agency Tass that Jones had "no questions at all about travelling here," despite Washington's condemnation of Russia's annexation of Crimea from Ukraine.
Russia granted citizenship to French actor Gerard Depardieu in 2013 after he expressed his anger over French tax laws.
Putin, who has a black belt in judo, has previously hung out with a number of entertainment stars, including US actor Steven Seagal and Hollywood?s Jean-Claude Van Damme.
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