Brittney Griner detention: Boxing legend Roy Jones Jr using Russia connections to help WNBA star return to US

WNBA star Brittney Griner has a fellow celebrity athlete in her nook as she fights to return residence to the US.

Boxing legend Roy Jones Jr. is providing up his connections in Russia to assist the American athlete after she was arrested at an airport close to Moscow in February on expenses of possession and transportation of hashish – and he or she’s been detained there ever since.

Jones, thought of by many to be one of many biggest boxers of all time with an illustrious profession spanning almost 30 years, grew to become conscious of Griner’s predicament and determined he would possibly be capable to assist.

“First, she’s an athlete. I’ve ties with Russia due to my athleticism and my athletic profession,” Jones instructed Fox Information Digital. “It’s nothing political. It’s all about sports activities.”

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Jones defined that again within the top of his boxing profession, there have been solely two or three TV channels in Russia – and a type of channels was boxing. He stated boxing grew to become a extremely popular sport within the nation in consequence, and he was requested to coach boxers to “assist them up their recreation.”

Boxing legend Roy Jones Jr. works with aspiring fighters at his fitness center in Pensacola, Florida. Jones hopes to assist WNBA star Brittney Griner who’s detained in Russia.
(Lorraine Taylor/Fox Information Digital)

Jones, 53, is a twin U.S. and Russian citizen. He was working a fitness center in Moscow the place he educated younger boxers earlier than Russia’s battle with Ukraine pressured him to shutter his operation. He hopes to sometime return to proceed his work with the aspiring fighters.

“If my athlete affiliations may help rectify the scenario – why wouldn’t I strive?” he stated of Griner’s scenario. 

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FILE – Phoenix Mercury heart Brittney Griner pauses on the courtroom through the second half of a WNBA basketball recreation towards the Seattle Storm, Sept. 3, 2019, in Phoenix.
(AP Picture/Ross D. Franklin, File)

“So, I thought of it for a short time and one evening I used to be sleeping and it hit me – what if it was my daughter caught out of the country?” Jones continued. “They don’t communicate no English and he or she don’t communicate the language that they communicate. It’s dangerous sufficient being incarcerated however what if you happen to incarcerated in a international land the place they don’t communicate your language? You know the way dangerous that’s? So, that thought alone terrified me.”

Jones stated he reached out to his lawyer to get involved with the White Home. He additionally linked with a good friend who is aware of folks well-connected in Russian politics.

Jones stated his contact was in a position to attain authorities in Russia who expressed willingness to conduct a prisoner swap with the U.S. Jones stated the method was gradual shifting and has since stalled. He’s hoping to proceed to assist facilitate future communication or negotiations as a lot as he’s ready.

WNBA star and two-time Olympic gold medalist Brittney Griner is escorted to a courtroom for a listening to, in Khimki simply exterior Moscow, Russia, Monday, June 27, 2022.
(AP Picture/Alexander Zemlianichenko)

Russian information media has repeatedly prompt that Griner might be swapped for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, in any other case often known as “The Service provider of Dying.” Bout is serving a 25-year sentence on conviction of conspiracy to kill U.S. residents and offering support to a terrorist group.

However U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken wouldn’t disclose U.S. plans to convey Griner residence when requested if a swap was being thought of.

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Jones continues to be hopeful that Griner will be capable to return residence safely. 

Roy Jones Jr. is hoping he can use his connections in Russia to assist free WNBA star Brittney Griner. Jones is pictured right here coaching at his fitness center in Pensacola, Florida.
(Lorraine Taylor/Fox Information Digital)

“I’m not a politician,” he stated. “I don’t do all that. But when I can get her residence, they usually say they’re prepared to do a prisoner swap and anyone right here is prepared to try this – then let’s make it occur.”

He continued, “I might really feel dangerous sitting there comfy at evening figuring out she’s in that nation in jail and I’ve citizenship in that nation and I’m not attempting to do nothing to assist. That may be dangerous on my half.”

Jones stated he has been unable to succeed in Griner or her household, however he’s open and prepared to speak ought to they attain out.

“That is what I do. God blessed me with boxing, so I’m attempting to cross my blessing all the way down to different folks as a result of that’s what God gave me,” Jones stated.

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Roy Jones Jr. trains aspiring boxers at his fitness center in Pensacola, Florida.
(Lorraine Taylor/Fox Information Digital)

The Mercury heart’s arrest occurred lower than per week earlier than Russia invaded Ukraine. Griner, an Olympic gold medalist, had been taking part in abroad through the league’s offseason to earn cash. She’s been taking part in basketball in Russia for the previous seven years.

The U.S. State Division categorized Griner as wrongfully detained in Could. She appeared in courtroom Monday for a preliminary listening to. The courtroom ordered her detention to be prolonged for six months. She faces as much as 10 years in jail if she’s convicted. Her trial is ready to start on Friday.

When requested if he had a message to share with Griner, Jones merely stated: “Maintain God first in every part you do and issues will work out.”