Interviews

Glen Johnson on Facing Yusaf Mack, Cloud, Tarver

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BoxingScene.com speaks to light heavyweight contender Glen Johnson (49-13-2) in this exclusive interview. Johnson speaks about his loss to Dawson and his upcoming IBF title eliminator bout versus Yusaf Mack (28-2-2) on the Shane Mosley versus Andre Berto undercard January 30th at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. The Road Warrior looks to move on to bigger and better things after that bout and has his eyes on Tavoris Cloud's light heavyweight strap.

BoxingScene.com: You are getting back in the ring pretty fast since your fight with Chad Dawson. Why is that?

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Glen Johnson: I am not getting any younger you know. When you get an opportunity you have to jump at it. I believe this is a good opportunity coming off a fight where I didn't get to do what I really wanted to do so this is an opportunity to get back in the mix for bigger fights in the boxing game. I am happy for the opportunity and I look to take advantage of it.

BoxingScene.com: What do you think a win over Yusaf Mack does for you?

Glen Johnson: Anytime I can beat a younger guy it helps me. There are some young guys out there that are there to be beat. Obviously I think I won the first fight with Dawson and I cleary won the second fight with him. Now we move on to whatever else is out there and Yusaf Mack is a credible guy and I look forward to competing with him and winning that fight.

BoxingScene.com: Speaking of the fight with Dawson you were the aggressor but Dawson was boxing and moving and backing up a lot. What do you think went wrong in the fight?

Glen Johnson: You know Dawson doesn't have to win the fight. He just has to not lose the fight so he did what he was supposed to do which was try to survive. Even his hometown fans that cheered him so loudly (when he entered the ring) were booing him by the end of the fight. They were booing me when I entered the ring and then they started booing him. That goes to show you his commitment to pleasing the fans but again all he has to do is win. If I had his same opportunities I guess I would do things the same way.

BoxingScene.com: This is your first fight in Las Vegas since 2002. How does it feel to be fighting back in Vegas?

Glen Johnson: Vegas obviously is a fantastic city. It is a great fight town. The support out there for boxing is second to none and I am boxing out there on a big card. Two of my favorite fighters (Mosley and Berto) are fighting in the main event. I like both fighters very much so I am happy about that. I am excited to be part of such a major shows and there will be a lot of eyes there to see me. I know a lot of people saw my last fight where I didn't look so good and this is another opportunity for me to show the people that I am still a major part of the light heavyweight division.

BoxingScene.com: Antonio Tarver was on Showtime saying he was ready to get back in the ring. Would you entertain fighting him again?

Glen Johnson: Of course. You know me. There is nobody I wouldn't fight. It is all about the right timing and the right opportunities. I am looking to fight all comers. I want to fight the fights that are available to me. If Tarver is available all they have to do is make a phone call.

BoxingScene.com: How much longer do you see yourself boxing?

Glen Johnson: You know I have been asked that question a lot and I really don't have an answer. The truth of the matter is we all know that when you age we don't know what it will be like until you are there. I still feel good and I still feel I can do all the things that I want to do so it is hard for me to speak about things that I don't know about. I am not that wealthy where I am as wealthy as Bernard Hopkins where I don't need to box. I am trying to make as much money as I can so I can have have as much security as possible financially. I feel if Bernard Hopkins at 44 can still do it and do it well when he doesn't have to be fighting because he is financially secure well that gives me hope to keep going.

BoxingScene.com: Besides the financial stability do you have your eye on being a champion again?

Glen Johnson: Absolutely. That is why we are working out. We are always trying to get that strap. Everyone wants to be a champion in everything we do.

BoxingScene.com: Assuming you defeat Mack where do you want to go from there? It is an IBF Elimator bout correct?

Glen Johnson: Yes it is. I want to fight the IBF champion, Tavoris Cloud. That would be my ideal fight.

BoxingScene.com: Do you have a message for the fans?

Glen Johnson: Thanks for the great support they have showed me through the years and keep supporting me. It should be a great fight next month so please come out if you can make it.

Send questions or comments to ringsidewriter@gmail.com

Comments

IcetaTue Dec 15, 2009, 11:39 PM UTC

As a Glen Johnson fan, I am disappointed in him not admitting that he lost the rematch to Dawson fair and square even though I thought he got a raw deal from the judges in the first fight. But everything else he said was true. Dawson did come to play it safe and make the fight as boring as possible. And the aftermath of the fight is playing out just like I said it would. Glen Johnson would be the fall guy to do Dawson's heavy lifting by fighting Cloud. Hope he gets paid well for it, because I don't think it's a fight he can win at this point even though I'll be pulling for him. He needs to get past Mack first though, and even that shouldn't be an easy task at his age. That says something because Mack isn't that good.

CalilloydTue Dec 15, 2009, 10:58 PM UTC

Can't believe Johnson said he clearly won the Dawson rematch.... I stopped reading it after that.

CAMPERTue Dec 15, 2009, 8:30 PM UTC

Much respect to Johnson for wanting to take the big fights and fight whomever they put in front of him. Johnson is a reminder of what the greats of the past represented. They didn't care about perfect records or "home court advantage." Boxing needs more fighters like Johnson. If he gets past Mack then he should take it to Cloud. Doubt he beats Cloud unless he can catch him and pull off the upset. If not I think he should fight Tarver in a trilogy and then hang em up. Nothing left to prove. Hall of fame for sure.

ragingvicTue Dec 15, 2009, 5:55 PM UTC

Sorry Johnson but if youve watched the fight and you claim to win it clearly or otherwise getting hit in the head has really taken its toll on you.

2501Tue Dec 15, 2009, 4:49 PM UTC

What were he reasons for not taking those fights? He fought Johnson and Tarver.

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