Former two-time champ looks to challenge the top light heavyweights

By Mike Indri
Retired Boxers Foundation
 
This August 27th, at the Paragon Casino & Resort in Marksville, Louisiana, Reggie "Sweet" Johnson will step back into a boxing ring; fighting for the first time in over two and a half years.

Yet Johnson, 42-7-1 (24 KO’s), says this isn’t a comeback - because he never retired.

"The politics and promotional issues have kept me inactive for so long, too long", stated the former WBA Middleweight and IBF Lt. Heavyweight Champion, quickly adding "but I’m back and I’m looking to get back (the lt. heavyweight title) what’s mine!" 
 
The likeable and ever-confident Texas southpaw says that while the money is a big reason for lacing the gloves up again, it’s not the only reason. 

"I passed up on the Olympics (1984) to help my mom and family.  I couldn’t live off trophies and medals, I had to make some money.  Now it‘s also about respect"

These days Reggie Johnson is also bringing a message; for fighters to stand up for themselves and for the kids to stay off drugs.

"I’ve been in boxing for over twenty years and I’m still here, I’m still standing for a reason."
 
Since making his pro debut in 1984 (four round decision win over Mark Henderson:8/14/84), Johnson steadily climbed the middleweight ranks until finally getting his opportunity to fight for the vacant WBA middleweight crown in ‘92.  Seizing the moment, Johnson defeated the dangerous Steve Collins (then 21-1) by majority decision to become a world champion!

Holding on to his hard earned crown for the next eighteen months, Johnson made three successful title defense before running into the undefeated, Kronk gym tough, Emanuel Stewart trained, John David Johnson (29-0). Reggie was on the short end of a disputed twelve round unanimous decision.

"I didn’t loss that fight against Johnson, those two in Argentina against Jorge Castro, and I was robbed in my fight with James Toney (6/29/91: split decision)," exclaimed a frustrated Johnson, "I even knocked Toney down in the second round!"

The two aforementioned losses to Castro, both split decision defeats in Castro’s "hometown", were sandwiched in-between a pair of first round knockouts for Johnson and led to Reggie’s move up to light heavyweight; and the chance for another world title.

Challenging the undefeated and favored William Guthrie (24-0), in Feb. of 1998 at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Connecticut, Johnson was committed to dispelling his critics and earning their respect.

Guthrie’s first defense of his IBF championship would also be his last. 

In true championship form Johnson crushed Guthrie, knocking out the Philadelphia born fighter in devastating fashion in round five.

Johnson was having his second world title belt strapped around his waist as Guthrie was being carried out of the ring in a stretcher. (William Guthrie would fight again and finished his career with a stellar professional record of 30-3).   

The slick and crafty Johnson did concede losses to Adam George, early in his career, as well as a tough unanimous decision loss to Roy Jones, Jr. in ‘99, and a split decision loss to Antonio Tarver, in Johnson’s last fight on Jan. 25, 2002.

In regards to Tarver, "He (Tarver) was one of the best boxers in the amateurs, and a great professional.  I fought with a busted eardrum from the third round on," Johnson proudly stated.
 
With nothing to be ashamed of in losing to only the best, Reggie Johnson is determined to show that he is also one of the best.  Looking to avenge the Tarver loss or getting a rematch against Jones, or even a fight against Bernard Hopkins; who had eluded Johnson years ago, would be "sweet" for Johnson - who is a proud, "old-school" fighter looking for the respect for deserves.

On August 27th Reggie Johnson takes his first step towards redemption and promises to make it worth the wait.