By Ben Jacobs
Tureano Johnson (17-1, 12 KOs) is looking to be the standout star on RocNation's debut show this Friday night at the Madison Square Garden Theater, New York. The Bahamas native attracted the boxing public's attention with his terrific performance last year against Curtis Stevens in which he was stopped in the final round of a bout he appeared to be winning. Johnson takes on Alex Theran (17-1, 10 KOs) over ten rounds in which, according to Gary Shaw in a recent BoxingScene interview, the WBC silver belt will also be on the line.
"I'm very pleased that three titles will be on line, my WBC continental Americas title, the WBA international title and the most important one in my book, the silver belt. That's a big move for me and I'm just excited," Tureano told BoxingScene.
"That title will give me the opportunity to fight one of the number one contenders in the division and help me get a mandatory fight for a world title. I believe I'm a very exciting fighter, I believe once the fans get to see me in action they will become attached to me. The people that saw my fight with Curtis Stevens were captivated by it, so I believe once we are back on the television networks more people will be drawn into watching me, I'm an action packed fighter."
Johnson articulates his feelings well, he is not prone to holding back in his views and, unlike some fighters, he is willing to mention names as potential opponents.
"Folks have been captivated by the Stevens fight but that is the only one, I need to give them something more, like a David Lemieux or a Peter Quillin, maybe fights of that magnitude would draw the attention and see what type of fighter I am. This fight is very important cause it will enable me to fight these fighters, maybe even a Billy Joe Saunders or an Andy Lee. I have a lot of respect for Andy Lee, and Saunders is another good fighter.
"I've spoken to my promoter and manager and we've been trying to get a fight with Saunders for quite some time but we haven't been able to break the ice with that. Maybe we will get that shot after this. You have Lemieux from Canada in the Commonwealth ranks and as I'm from the Bahamas that would be an awesome tribute to my country, to fight guys from within the Commonwealth."
Johnson is familiar with his rival from Barranquilla, Colombia whom he met when they were both amateurs, albeit not in the ring. He explained:
"I know him very well, we have a history. In 2008 he tried to qualify for the Beijing Olympics, which I qualified for. We were in the same weight class and rooting for him to win his match in Guatemala so we would be able to face him. Unfortunately he lost in his preliminarily match and I went on to the Olympics. So I know him from an amateur background and I've followed him in the pros a bit. He's going to come out to fight, he's tall, not so aggressive but he'll use his boxing abilities on me and try to keep a distance. But I believe I'm a superb pressure fighter. I'm also able to switch into a very slick boxer as well so Mr.Theran has a lot on his table when it comes to facing me in the ring."
Johnson kept busy last year with four bouts after only one previously in 2013. He hopes that trend will continue this year and revealed how his current promotional situation can aid that.
"I was with Gary Shaw, now I am with Jay-Z and RocNation, a new promoter which has come out to make a name for itself. He can give the fans what they want to see. I believe they will keep me busy and I believe I can get six fights a year. I'm not like most fighters, I'm trying to leave a legacy as well. I understand that Gary Shaw is affiliated in the promotion with RocNation.
"I'm not like Peter 'Chicken'. Most people know his as Peter Quillin, I know him as Peter 'Chicken'. I'm going to fight, I wouldn't disrespect them like he does, it's disgraceful that he gave up a world title just to avoid an opponent like Matt Korobov. Champions should fight the best, gone are the days when that happens but I want to bring that back. Let the best fight the best. I'm a boxer but firstly I'm a boxing fan and a son of God. It was a disgraceful move for any athlete, to say, 'I'm not going to fight at the highest level, I'm going to sell out'. People should look at that as a black eye to the sport of boxing."
A fight that the keen boxing fan will be looking out for is British middleweight Martin Murray's challenge against the consensus best 160lbs fighter at this time, Gennady Golovkin. The two square off in Monaco on February 21.
"I believe Martin Murray could expose some of Golovkin's weaknesses but to be honest Golovkin is one you have to give lots of respect to, he's a man of many wins and no losses. He knocks out most of his opponents. I don't believe there's anyone out there besides myself who could put him to the test and win but I believe Mr.Murray has the ability to pull of an upset, but I doubt he will win. He will give the fans a great fight."
