By Ben Jacobs

Uncharacteristically, Tureano Johnson has been quiet of late on social media.  The 31-year-old is preparing for his next fight diligently after stopping Alex Theran back in January.  Boxers usually make changes following a defeat but recently the in-form Johnson unveiled a new promoter, new manager and a new trainer to help him for the next phase of his career.

"It's been a long time coming, it couldn't have come at a better time, Johnson told BoxingScene.com. 

“Golden Boy has a lot of prospects and it's going to be great for my future going up against some of the best fighters in world, knowing that Golden Boy is willing to make those fights happen for me.

"There were many reasons why I signed with Golden Boy, the fact they have great middleweights is one of them. You want to fight the best and also Golden Boy is one of the major promotions today.  I made the right decision.”

Johnson’s stint with Gary Shaw Productions was a positive experience yet the decision to move on was taken nonetheless. 

"There were some issues so I decided to change a few things.  I think I'm with a formidable team who is going to be able to assist me and make my goals happen.”

Also, unconventionally, Johnson's relationship with his previous promoter remains amiable.

"The main reason I am with Golden Boy was because of Gary Shaw,” he continued.

“I do know that Gary was negotiating with Golden Boy to take me on.  I owe him a lot and I really appreciate him for making it happen."

Johnson's first bout under the Golden Boy umbrella is against Irishman Eamonn O'Kane.

"I've seen a few videos and I must say he's a very good fighter, he's one you can't sleep on.  But I've been training for many months in preparation for this fight.  I know just enough about him to know what to expect.  He has surprised me already that he has the guts to say what he has but I am ready to take on anyone in that ring.”

Tureano has made no secret of his desire to fight the best in the division.  Should he emerge with his hand raised on October 17, he could be in line to fight the winner of the main event between Gennady Golovkin and David Lemieux.  Does the Bahamas native envisage a scenario in which the French-Canadian champion could pull off an upset?

"Well, I think because of Lemieux's punching power, he does have a puncher's chance.  GGG has gone up against a lot of fighters, but as a professional I don't think he has fought anyone with Lemieux's punching power.  That could be a new area for GGG.  I don't know if he can win the fight but we will see if GGG can take a punch from a guy like Lemieux.  GGG is a very good technical fighter but an explosive puncher as well. 

"I was close to fighting Golovkin, as far as me agreeing to fight him but his team saw fit to take on an opponent such as Willie Monroe.  There have been many occasions when I was close to getting that fight, but the closest was before Monroe.  We have been turned down on many occasions by Lemieux's team.  I want to put myself in the number one contender's spot, I want to be the mandatory for the IBF belt."

Johnson’s new trainer is Tyrone Jones who guided former WBC middleweight champion, Keith Holmes.  Jones insisted he won’t be looking to change too much of Tureano’s style, rather have him fight more intelligently.

“I want him to work behind his jab, he becomes more effective that way, takes less punches,” Jones detailed.

“We want him to do what he wants to do when he wants to do it.  His opponent will come out one way because he doesn't have the technical prowess to do anything else..

“What impressed me about Tureano was that he threw uppercuts the way other fighters threw a jab.  I said I can do something with that.  His uppercuts are effective when he uses his jab.  I'm just gonna tighten up a few things and make it work better.”