Russian newspaper Izvestia reported in September that heavyweight boxer Johnson had asked Putin for Russian citizenship, shortly after Johnson adopted the Russian-style patronymic Vladimirovich - a decision he said he took in honour of the Russian leader. Leipsic, who was sacked by the Washington Capitals in 2020 after making misogynist comments and inappropriate remarks about other players, has since played for Russian ice hockey teams.
This doesn't seem designed to end well between the sides.
Promoters are eager to gobble up the money that Saudi Arabia is pouring into boxing, but they had better be wary of the long-term consequences it could have on the sport in the U.S.
