By Mark Vester
The press in Canada has reported that after heavyweight Kirk Johnson met with the California State Athletic Commission on Monday to appeal his March 3 loss to Javier Mora, the program’s advisory committee has voted nearly unanimously to overturn the defeat. Only one of the twelve members said the loss should stand.
As some may recall, in the seventh round of Johnson's scrap with Mora, he slipped on a damp ring surface while Mora stepped on his foot to throw a jab, in the process he tore his right patellar tendon and dislocating his kneecap. Moments before the fall, Johnson had slipped on the same damp surface and warned the referee Tony Crebs about the problem, but nothing was done. When Johnson was unable to continue, the referee awarded the bout to Mora by TKO. At the time of the stoppage, Johnson was ahead on two of the scorecards, and the third was scored a draw.
The committee's recommendation has been sent for final approval to the California State Department of Consumer. The loss will become a no-decision if the final approval is handed down as expected, with Johnson record being changed to 36-2-1 with 26 knockouts. Johnson is planning a return before the end of the year.
