U.S. boxer Roy Jones Jr. applies for Russian passport (Reuters)

Legendary U.S. boxer Roy Jones Jr. has filed for Russian citizenship, state TV reported on Thursday, a day after the multiple champion met President Vladimir Putin and said he wanted to build bridges between Russia and the United States. Putin, at odds with the West over the Ukraine crisis, responded positively. “If you plan to commit a large part of your live to activity in Russia, then we will naturally be pleased and satisfy your request to get a Russian passport, Russian citizenship,” he told Jones in footage shown online.