Kevin Johnson (boxer)
Encyclopedia
Kevin "Kingpin" Johnson (born September 7, 1979 in Asbury Park, New Jersey
) is an American heavyweight boxer.
won the New Jersey Golden Gloves, a minor title.
After only three fights the lanky counterpuncher was thrown in with an undefeated Olympian in Timor Ibragimov who had already 13 victories. To the great surprise of the audience he held Ibragimov to a draw. Three fights later in 2004 he handily beat well-known clubfighter Robert Wiggins who was 19-3-1 at the time. After being somewhat inactive in 2005 he had another good win over a clubfighter in Robert Hawkins
2006 against whom he pitched a shutout.
At the end of November 2007 he was 17-0-1 and widely regarded as America's best heavyweight prospect largely to his dominant Jab
but lacks power as is documented by only 6 KOs.
On April 18, 2008, at the Buffalo Run Casino in Miami, Oklahoma
, Johnson defeated Terry Smith by unanimous decision. Johnson used his long jab and hand speed to maneuver his way around the aggression of Smith.
Johnson scored the biggest win of his career with a TKO victory over a badly faded Bruce Seldon
in September 2008 in Atlantic City.
His last and most noted win prior to his title shot was against Devin Vargas
on May 15, 2009. Johnson was declared winner by technical knockout after Vargas's corner threw in the towel early in the sixth round.
On 12 December 2009 Johnson took on Vitali Klitschko
for the WBC Heavyweight title in Bern, Switzerland
. Klitschko was never troubled by Johnson but still took few chances in front of an 18,000-strong crowd in Bern, Switzerland. The previously unbeaten Johnson was unable to land his trademark jab on the 6ft 7in Vitali, and went on to lose a every round of a largely unexciting contest to the Ukrainian.
After the loss to Klitschko, Johnson racked up victories against Charles Davis (19-20-02) and Julius Long (15-14-0) before signing to take place in Frank Warren
's Prizefighter
tournament in the UK. Despite being one of the most qualified boxers in the contest, Johnson had to cancel his appearance after being denied exit from the United States due to his failure to provide child support.
Asbury Park, New Jersey
Asbury Park is a city in Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States, located on the Jersey Shore and part of the New York City Metropolitan Area. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was 16,116. The city is known for its rich musical history, including its association with...
) is an American heavyweight boxer.
Amateur career
Johnson started boxing at the age of 18. He was an unheralded amateur with only a 14-2 record butwon the New Jersey Golden Gloves, a minor title.
Professional career
He turned pro in 2002.After only three fights the lanky counterpuncher was thrown in with an undefeated Olympian in Timor Ibragimov who had already 13 victories. To the great surprise of the audience he held Ibragimov to a draw. Three fights later in 2004 he handily beat well-known clubfighter Robert Wiggins who was 19-3-1 at the time. After being somewhat inactive in 2005 he had another good win over a clubfighter in Robert Hawkins
Robert Hawkins (boxer)
Robert Hawkins is a journeyman heavyweight boxer who fought many contenders and champions in the 1990s and 2000s.-Early life:...
2006 against whom he pitched a shutout.
At the end of November 2007 he was 17-0-1 and widely regarded as America's best heavyweight prospect largely to his dominant Jab
Jab
A jab is a type of punch used in the martial arts.Several variations of the jab exist, but every jab shares these characteristics: while in a fighting stance, the lead fist is thrown straight ahead and the arm is fully extended...
but lacks power as is documented by only 6 KOs.
On April 18, 2008, at the Buffalo Run Casino in Miami, Oklahoma
Miami, Oklahoma
Miami is a city in Ottawa County, Oklahoma, United States. As of 2009, the population estimate was 12,910. It is the county seat of Ottawa County. The city is named after the Miami tribe...
, Johnson defeated Terry Smith by unanimous decision. Johnson used his long jab and hand speed to maneuver his way around the aggression of Smith.
Johnson scored the biggest win of his career with a TKO victory over a badly faded Bruce Seldon
Bruce Seldon
Bruce Samuel Seldon is a retired American boxer and former world champion, having won the World Boxing Association heavyweight title in 1995.-Amateur career:...
in September 2008 in Atlantic City.
His last and most noted win prior to his title shot was against Devin Vargas
Devin Vargas
Devin Vargas is a boxer who represented the United States at the 2004 Olympic Games in the heavyweight division.-Amateur career:Vargas had a stellar amateur career prior to turning professional....
on May 15, 2009. Johnson was declared winner by technical knockout after Vargas's corner threw in the towel early in the sixth round.
On 12 December 2009 Johnson took on Vitali Klitschko
Vitali Klitschko
Vitaliy Volodymyrovych Klychko is a Ukrainian professional heavyweight boxer and the current WBC heavyweight champion. He is a leader of the political party Ukrainian Democratic Alliance for Reform and a member of the Ukrainian delegation to the Congress of the Council of Europe. He previously...
for the WBC Heavyweight title in Bern, Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
. Klitschko was never troubled by Johnson but still took few chances in front of an 18,000-strong crowd in Bern, Switzerland. The previously unbeaten Johnson was unable to land his trademark jab on the 6ft 7in Vitali, and went on to lose a every round of a largely unexciting contest to the Ukrainian.
After the loss to Klitschko, Johnson racked up victories against Charles Davis (19-20-02) and Julius Long (15-14-0) before signing to take place in Frank Warren
Frank Warren (promoter)
Frank Darren Warren is an English boxing manager and promoter.-Early life and early career:The son of a bookmaker, Warren trained as a solicitor's clerk with J Tickle & Co on Southampton Row in London....
's Prizefighter
Prizefighter
A prizefighter is a boxer.Prizefighter may also refer to:*Don King Presents: Prizefighter, a video game by 2k Sports released in 2008*Prize Fighter, a video game by Digital Pictures released in 1994 for the Sega CD...
tournament in the UK. Despite being one of the most qualified boxers in the contest, Johnson had to cancel his appearance after being denied exit from the United States due to his failure to provide child support.