Russian President Vladimir Putin has granted citizenship to prominent US boxer Roy Jones Jr., a decree published on the Kremlin website stated Saturday.

The legendary boxer announced on August 20 that he had applied for Russian citizenship, adding that he felt very comfortable in Russia, Sputnik reported.

"The application of Roy Levesta Jones Jr., born January 16, 1969 in the United States for the Russian Federation citizenship to be approved," the decree stated.

In response to the news, Jones stated in an interview with R-Sport that he intends to learn the Russian language in a year from when he acquires the citizenship.

According to Jones, his decision to become a Russian citizen is not linked to politics, but is aimed at boosting cultural relations between the two countries.

Roy Jones, Jr., aged 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.
Source: MENA