‘Do you realize who the US gave in return?’: Boxing Legend Roy Jones Jr.’s comments on Brittney Griner after prisoner swap draws strong reactions from fans

It is a scene straight out of a John le Carr? cold war spy thriller. A high-profile prisoner exchange between Russia and the United States. Outstanding WNBA player Brittney Griner will return home. But for a price, though. For the folks back home, the long wait is over.

Fifty-three years old Roy Jones Jr. is the only boxer in history to hold a Heavyweight title, despite beginning as a Light Middleweight. Talking to his fans through an Instagram post, he expressed his happiness over Brittney Griner?s return.

He said, ?…Just got the wonderful information, that wonderful news, that Britney has been swapped and released so I?am so glad to hear that. So glad for her that she?s back home, so glad for her family. Hope everything?s good now. God Bless you??

IK 2 to San Antonio: Brittney Griner is coming home

The fans joined him on the happy occasion, sharing their views. However, few were visibly thankful for the American’s return.

marcelob222 -?Hey @royjonesjrofficial, to me you are one of the greatest boxers in history, I’m a big fan of yours.?A hug from your godbrother @marcelob222?

harrytaylorr -?God Bless ??

dezthepanda20 -?Glad she made it back!

But, some disagreed with the exchange, considering it preferential treatment.

zakarisuratt -?Now if they could release all the men and women locked up in America for the same or similar charges as well.. oh yeah that’s right, celebrities get special treatment..

jeremeycross -?F#*k Griner. America hating trader

cwhite7619 -?Do you realize who the US gave in return????

Six feet and nine inches tall, thrice All-American Brittney Griner will heave a sigh of relief when her plane touches the runway of San Antonio Airport in Texas on Friday.

Incarcerated in a Russian prison since February this year, the Russians arrested Griner for carrying cartridges that had oil derived from cannabis.

Read More:??He?s a Clown and Hater?: Boxing Legend Roy Jones Jr. Criticized by Fans for His Pound-for-Pound List

The Phoenix Mercury center was visiting Russia to play in the country?s basketball league. An admission of guilt during the trial on 1st July invited a nine-year prison sentence on 4th August. IK 2, a Russian prison meant for women, awaited her.

However, in lieu of thirty-two-year-old Griner?s freedom, the United States handed over Russian prisoner Victor Bout. Nicknamed The Merchant of Death, the former Soviet-era translator has been a state guest since 2011 for supplying arms and ammunition to Columbian militia FARC.

The Superman at rescue: Roy Jones Jr.

Roy Jones deserves credit for enthusiastic support to free Brittney. Counted among the greatest pound-for-pound boxers, Roy shared the details of a conversation he had with a friend on the issue. In the podcast Best Women?s Boxing Show PERIOD (BWBSP), Roy told the hosts, journalists Jeandra LeBeauf and Cynthia Conte, ?I have a friend in Miami and tried to tell the United States [government]? there?s a thing they want to do is make a [prisoner] swap. They?re willing to make a swap for Brittney Griner if the United States government will get involved???

The former champion holds dual American as well as Russian citizenship and believed that his status and proximity with Russian authorities could further the cause of Griner?s release.

Quite a few prisoner exchanges occurred between the two countries, especially during the Cold War. But none achieved the 1960 U 2 incident?s notoriety. Caught by Soviet authorities for spying, the American Francis Gary Powers returned home two years later when Americans agreed to hand over Rudolf Abel, a Soviet spymaster.

Is there a likelihood of the latest measure thawing the strained relations between the home countries?

Watch Out for More:? The Brittney Griner saga