Glen Johnson Poised For Another Title Run
By Dave Sholler
Photo © Javiel Centeno/Fightwireimages.com
It does not take perfect 20/20 vision to see that many of the sport’s top light heavyweights want no part of hungry young champion Chad Dawson. Antonio Tarver, once the ruler of the division, doesn’t seem interested in the speedy WBC titleholder. Fresh off a win over a sluggish Felix Trinidad, Roy Jones Jr., the previous pound-for-pound legend, isn’t ready to accept the risk Dawson poses either.
One man who has conquered both Tarver and Jones in years past is ready though. At 39 years old, former champion and 2004 Fighter of the Year Glen Johnson is preparing to tame the division’s young lion. By accepting a bout against the undefeated Dawson on April 12, Johnson has set out to prove that he still belongs atop major light heavyweight rankings.
“It’s a great opportunity for me to come back and show the people what I’m made of,” Johnson, who owns a three-fight winning streak, said in an exclusive interview Thursday. “For a while, I was fighting fights that didn’t have a lot of meaning just to stay busy and active.
“But my personal opinion is that it’s unfair to talk about the top three light heavyweights and not include Glen Johnson in the discussion. I’ve fought the best and been available to the best. You can say that Bernard Hopkins is number one (in the division) and then Glen Johnson (second) and then Chad Dawson or Antonio Tarver (third in the division).”
While Johnson’s assessment of the division is debatable, the implications of Showtime’s light heavyweight card on April 12 should be very helpful in determining the true light heavyweight landscape. Much like NCAA March Madness, Johnson believes that the April 12th card – which also features IBO champ Tarver vs. IBF belt holder Clinton Woods – will go a long way in shaping future bouts. Should he get by Dawson, Johnson already has his eyes set on the winner of Tarver-Woods. He wouldn’t mind facing the winner of the April 19th light heavyweight bout between Ring Magazine champion Bernard Hopkins and Joe Calzaghe, either.
“Glen Johnson has fought a lot of the best light heavyweights and beaten them,” Johnson said confidently. “Now I’m going out to convince everyone that I still have what it takes to do this on a high level.”
Even though he beams with enthusiasm regarding potential fights with Hopkins, Calzaghe or Tarver, Johnson acknowledges that a roadblock named Chad Dawson could affect his plans. At 25 years old, Dawson has just begun to display the tools he possesses, most notably speed and precision punching. Although he accepts Dawson’s world-class traits, Johnson is quick to point out “Bad” Chad’s inexperience. Moreover, Johnson feels his years in the sport can quell much of what Chad does en route to victory.
“Chad is young and he is fast, but he doesn’t have what it takes to compete with me,” Johnson said. “He has speed and upside, but I’ve seen that before. I know how to deal with that.
“I’ve beaten Tarver and I’ve beaten Roy Jones. Who can you say that Chad Dawson has fought with name recognition?”
After dominating Hugo Pineda in his first bout of 2008, Johnson hopes to continue his return to prominence by being the aggressor against Dawson. Since Dawson has had the most success when he dictates the pace of a bout, Johnson plans on making the undefeated Connecticut native uncomfortable by staying in his face. If he does so, Johnson believes he’ll impress and more importantly, avoid being the first noteworthy notch on Dawson’s belt.
“I’ve dealt with (Chad’s) style of fighting for a long time,” Johnson said. “I’m not going to tell you all my secrets for Chad to read, but I’m not worried about what Chad is going to do. I want to fight my fight and I will.”
Finally back in the light heavyweight picture, Johnson vows to do what it takes to stay there. Obviously, a win over Dawson is the starting point. From there, the rejuvenated Johnson could earn rematches against Tarver or Woods, or even a fight with the man he considers the best in the division.
“I’d like to fight the best,” Johnson, said, adding that right now the best is Bernard Hopkins. “The winner of the (Hopkins vs. Calzaghe) fight is the guy who I would definitely want.
“Bernard is a whiz defensively at pulling you out of what you do,” he continued. “But he might not get off. Joe changes a lot of that. He works hard in fights and throws a lot of punches. It seems to be a great match up.”
Although he was noncommittal in offering his final predictions of Tarver-Woods or Hopkins-Calzaghe, Johnson didn’t mind conjuring up an opinion of the “other” big name floating in and around 175 pounds. Never closing the door on another match with Roy Jones. Jr., Johnson questioned whether the former undisputed champion has actually regained his once glorious form. Citing Jones’ performance against Trinidad in his last bout on January 19, Johnson wonders if the victory gives Roy unwarranted confidence. Likewise, Johnson wonders if Roy would actually step inside the ring to fight him again.
“Roy certainly looked better (against Trinidad), but in his last three fights he’s had limited guys in front of him,” Johnson said. “Trinidad is a slow fighter who doesn’t have the power to be felt at light heavyweight. Roy danced and clowned around because he wasn’t threatened. To say he’s back after that fight, I wouldn’t say that.”
Dave Sholler serves as a radio analyst for sports stations across the country. Reach him at shollerholla4@hotmail.com.