by David P. Greisman
Tureano Johnson was clearly upset in the immediate aftermath of his technical knockout loss to Curtis Stevens, a loss that came with less than a minute to go in the fight, a fight that Johnson had been winning up until that point. He felt, as did many watching, that the referee had stopped the bout too early.
But by the time Johnson got to the post-fight press conference, he understood that while the result couldn’t be changed, a rematch would be the next best option.
“It was unfortunate that I didn’t get the victory. Unfortunate on my behalf. I know many of you are Curtis Stevens fans, and you all ought to be. He’s an extremely good fighter, a strong fighter and a fighter by heart. But indeed, I felt if though the stoppage itself was an unfair one,” Johnson said in the post-fight press conference. “But hey, it comes with the territory of boxing. I accept it. At first I didn’t want to accept it in the ring, but hey, when you come from a small island like the Bahamas, don’t expect to get a fair deal wherever you go. I’ve experienced this on many occasions, even at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. It’s nothing new to me.”
Johnson fought as a welterweight in the 2008 Olympics, winning in the first two rounds before losing a wide decision in the quarterfinal round. He turned pro in early 2010 and had been undefeated until Friday night in Philadelphia. The 30-year-old is now 14-1 with 10 KOs.
“I felt if there was any blame to be given, it would be given to me. Tureano should’ve been more conscious. I was enjoying the fight just too much,” Johnson said. “I’ve told you guys, I told you all during the press conference prior to the fight, that this is a fight that I will enjoy. And as it happened, I did enjoy it — just that I enjoyed it far too much. But I hope the crowd enjoyed the fight. I think Curtis Stevens is an incredibly good fighter. Regardless of the stoppage, it had nothing to do with him. I felt as though mostly it’s the referee, but hey, let’s not call him no names, let’s not put no blames.
“Let’s have a rematch immediately, and let’s give the fans exactly what they want. I want a rematch immediately with Curtis Stevens, not another prep fight. I think a fight again with Curtis Stevens when he is in better condition, just as well as I’m in better condition — hey guys, I was offered this fight, I didn’t choose this fight, I was offered this fight less than four weeks [ago]. And I felt that you know what, Tureano could’ve said no. But I know the caliber of fighter that I am, and I know the caliber of fighter Curtis Stevens is.
“I’m not degrading him in any way, but I know Tureano Johnson is a world champion, and world champions are who I’m supposed to be fighting at this moment. So let’s have a rematch immediately. I promise you, I will not let you down again. I lost this fight. All in fairness. I lost. It’s on my record now. But I assure you, the next fight come, it’ll be even more explosive, more exciting, and I’m telling you guys you’ll get your money’s worth. God bless you.”
Pick up a copy of David’s new book, “Fighting Words: The Heart and Heartbreak of Boxing,” at http://bit.ly/fightingwordsamazon or internationally at http://bit.ly/fightingwordsworldwide. Send questions/comments via email at fightingwords1@gmail.com
