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Former two-time champ looks to
challenge the top Lt. heavyweights
By Mike Indri
Retired Boxers Foundation
August 1, 2005
This August 27th, at the Paragon Casino
& Resort in Marksville, Louisiana, Reggie "Sweet" Johnson
will step back into a boxing ring; fighting for the
first time in over two and a half years. Yet Johnson,
42-7-1 (24 KO's), says this isn't a comeback - because
he never retired! "The politics and promotional issues
have kept me inactive for so long, too long", stated
the former WBA Middleweight and IBF Lt. Heavyweight
Champion, quickly adding "but I'm back and I'm looking
to get back (the lt. heavyweight title) what's mine!"
The likeable and ever-confident Texas
southpaw says that while the money is a big reason for
lacing the gloves up again, it's not the only reason.
"I passed up on the Olympics (1984) to help my mom and
family. I couldn't live off trophies and medals, I had
to make some money. Now it's also about respect"
These days Reggie Johnson is also bringing
a message; for fighters to stand up for themselves and
for the kids to stay off drugs. "I've been in boxing
for over twenty years and I'm still here, I'm still
standing for a reason."
Since making his pro debut in 1984 (four
round decision win over Mark Henderson:8/14/84), Johnson
steadily climbed the middleweight ranks until finally
getting his opportunity to fight for the vacant WBA
middleweight crown in '92. Seizing the moment, Johnson
defeated the dangerous Steve Collins (then 21-1) by
majority decision to become a world champion!
Holding onto his hard earned crown for
the next eighteen months, Johnson made three successful
title defense before running into then undefeated, Kronk
gym tough, Emanuel Stewart trained, John David Johnson
(29-0). Reggie was on the short end of a disputed twelve
round unanimous decision.
"I didn't loss that fight against Johnson,
those two in Argentina against Jorge Castro, and I was
robbed in my fight with James Toney (6/29/91: split
decision)," exclaimed a frustrated Johnson, "I even
knocked Toney down in the second round!"
The two aforementioned losses to Castro,
both split decision defeats in Castro's "hometown",
were sandwiched in-between a pair of first round knockouts
for Johnson and led to Reggie's move up to light heavyweight;
and the chance for another world title.
Challenging the undefeated and favored
William Guthrie (24-0), in Feb. of 1998 at the Mohegan
Sun Casino in Connecticut, Johnson was committed to
dispelling his critics and earning their respect.
Guthrie's first defense of his IBF championship
would also be his last. In true championship form Johnson
crushed Guthrie, knocking out the Philadelphia born
fighter in devastating fashion in round five.
Johnson was having his second world title
belt strapped around his waist as Guthrie was being
carried out of the ring on a stretcher. (William Guthrie
would fight again and finished his career with a stellar
professional record of 30-3).
The slick and crafty Johnson did concede
losses to Adam George, early in his career, as well
as a tough unanimous decision loss to Roy Jones, Jr.
in '99, and a split decision loss to Antonio Tarver,
in RJ's last fight, Jan. 25, 2002. In regards to Tarver,
"He (Tarver) was one of the best boxers in the amateurs,
and a great professional. I fought with a busted eardrum
from the third round on," Johnson proudly stated.
With nothing to be ashamed of in losing
to only the best, Reggie Johnson is determined to show
that he is also one of the best. Looking to avenge the
Tarver loss or getting a rematch against Jones, or even
a fight against Bernard Hopkins; who had eluded Johnson
years ago, would be "sweet" for Johnson - who is a proud,
"old-school" fighter looking for the respect for deserves.
On August 27th Reggie Johnson takes his first step towards
redemption and promises to make it worth the wait.
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