Roy Jones Jr. received a Russian passport. A PHOTO

The famous American boxer Roy Jones Jr. received a passport of a Russian citizen. The solemn event was held in Moscow in one of the central offices of the Federal Migration Service of Russia.

“This is a very big step for me. I am happy that now I will come to Russia as a citizen of this country. Russia is a great country, there are great people here,” the athlete said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin 12 September signed decree on granting Russian citizenship to 46-year-old Jones.

About his intention to get citizenship he рассказал Vladimir Putin at a meeting in Sevastopol. The president replied that he would help him if the future of Roy Jones Jr. would be related to work in Russia.

Boxer noted that he had already begun to study the Russian language.

“I am Russian,” the boxer summed up in Russian.

"Forum" earlier reportedthat Roy Jones appeared in a promo video where he read the poem “I learned that I have ...” in memory of actor Sergei Bodrov.

He will hold his next fight on December 12 in Moscow for the title of world “super champion” according to the World Boxing Association in the first heavyweight division.

At one time, Roy Jones Jr. was considered the strongest boxer in the world, regardless of weight category. He started his career in the professional ring in 1989 year. Jones was a world champion in four weight categories. At the same time, the American has established a unique achievement - he is the only boxer who has won the championship belt on average, second middle light heavyweight and heavyweight.

All in all, Jones won 62 wins in the professional ring (45 - by knockout) and 8 defeats. Boxer is also the silver medalist of the Olympic Games-1988 in Seoul.