Fformer professional boxer Roy Jones Jr. made it clear he was willing to risk his life to help the WNBA star Britney Griner return to the United States.
Griner was arrested by Russian authorities for attempting to smuggle hash oil into the country in an incident at an airport near Moscow.
“Would you put your life on the line, risk going to Russia for an exchange? Yes, prisoners, I would, Jones Jr. told TMZ Sports.
“Because if [Brittney] was my daughter, I wish someone would do the same for me.”
exchange of prisoners
Born in Florida Jones Jr. received Russian citizenship back in 2015 with the help of the President Vladimir Putin.
The former boxer stressed that his connections can help Griner back to the United States.
“I had a friend, a couple of my friends that I knew, I called and asked him: “Can we help somehow?” because I don’t do politics, Jones Jr. added.
“I am a sports figure and they love me as a sports figure. Can we use my athletic influence in any way to perhaps arrange something to help get Britney house?’
“My friend called, called me back and said, ‘Yes, they said they were ready to do a prisoner exchange.’
“I said, ‘Well, it must be hard, because the exchange of prisoners is probably a real prisoner.’
“She is not necessarily a person who is a real prisoner, but I am sure that maybe the US will understand this and bring her home, because I would be terrified if my child was stuck in a foreign country in a prison, you know?
“One of my guys is like… he’s the right hand in the office Mr Putinso he’s high up in the political circuit.
“He’s a reporter and he usually does most of the reporting for Mr Putin so he can go and make direct contact with anyone who needs to help me.”