Tavoris Cloud-Glen Johnson Heading To March 27?

By Ryan Burton
 
Glen "The Road Warrior" Johnson (50-13-2), now 41 years young, talks about the beating he gave Yusaf Mack (28-2-2) on ESPN Friday Night Fights last week.  Mack, more than a decade younger, controlled the action for the first two rounds until Johnson was able to figure him out in the third round and later TKO him in the 6th of their IBF light heavyweight title eliminator.  Johnson talks about the fight and also a potential showdown with Tavoris Cloud for the IBF title on March 27th.
 
BoxingScene.com:  First off congratulations on the victory Friday night.  I assume you give yourself an A for your performance.
 
Glen Johnson:  I think I did really good.  You know I started out a little bit tight in the first couple of rounds but I wanted to see where his punches were coming from and what type of power he had.  Once I realized what he was doing and what he had I got confident and did what I needed to do.  He wasn't able to hurt me.  It was a good fight.  There was a good turnout.  The crowd was excited and enjoyed the action.  I could feel their energy.
 
BoxingScene.com:  Tell us about the first two rounds.  It seemed like you couldn't quite figure him out until the third round.
 
Glen Johnson:  I was just feeling him out you know.  I just wanted to see what he had and pick my spots.  I discovered a few things and then I got comfortable and realized what was going on and I started stepping on the gas.
 
BoxingScene.com:  Were you surprised Mack decided to go toe to toe with you?
 
Glen Johnson:  I wasn't that surprised.  I mean I know most guys are going to try and box me and run around the ring.  I was trying to cut off the ring and keep the pressure on him.  Eventually I knew he was going to have to fight.  It is hard to box for 12 rounds and just run around.  Chad Dawson was able to do it.  Mack has a lot of athleticism and I give him a lot of props for staying away from me for as long as he could.  I don't think a lot of people can do that for a whole fight.  Even though Chad Dawson did that his own people were booing him so that goes to show you that the fans aren't going to stand that for too long.
 
BoxingScene.com:  The first time you knocked him down he didn't look too hurt but he was more hurt than he appeared.  After the second knockdown the fight was pretty miuch over.  Did you think he was done after the second knockdown?
 
Glen Johnson:  I expected him to get up.  I didn't know what the referee was going to do.  I know there was no three knockdown rule so I expected him to get up.  I didn't know if the ref was going to call it a tko then or what he was going to do.  When I looked at him I knew this guy was out and I went after him.

BoxingScene.com:  This big win on ESPN was an eliminator to fight Tavoris Cloud for the IBF lightweight title.  Have you heard anything on when and where that fight will take place?
 
Glen Johnson:  I think in as little as 6 weeks.  March 27th was a date that was thrown at me.  I heard ESPN has that date reserved for Tavoris.  I don't yet for sure.  By the end of this week or next week I should know a little bit more.  They are negotiating right now.
 
BoxingScene.com:  Have any venues been mentioned for the fight?
 
Glen Johnson:  Not at all but I would assume it will happen somewhere in Florida.  He is from Pensacola and I am from Miami so it makes sense.  I would assume it would be in Florida but I have no clue.
 
BoxingScene.com:  If you beat Tavoris and couple that with this win over Mack do you think that gets you right back in the mix for the big names at light heavyweight like Hopkins and Tarver and the others?
 
Glen Johnson:  I don't see why not.  If any one of those names you called beat two young guys I assume it would put them back in the picture so I don't see why it wouldn't put me back in the picture.
 
BoxingScene.com:  Do you have a message for the fans?
 
Glen Johnson:  I want to thank the fans for their patience.  I was disappointed in my last performance.  It wasn't the best and the fans are used to action fights and entertaining fights and that time I wasn't able to bring it to them.  This last fight against Mack I was able to do it.  I am back now and able to bring it to you and I am looking forward to bringing it to them in the future.