Wikipedia

Kirk Johnson

This article is about the boxer. For other uses, see Kirk Johnson (disambiguation).

Kirk Cyron Johnson (born June 29, 1972) is a Canadian former professional boxer who competed from 1993 to 2010, and challenged once for the WBA heavyweight title in 2002.

Kirk Johnson
Born
Kirk Cyron Johnson

(1972-06-29) June 29, 1972 (age 52)
North Preston, Nova Scotia, Canada
NationalityCanada Canadian
Other namesBubba
Statistics
Weight(s)Heavyweight
Height6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Reach81 in (206 cm)
Boxing record
Total fights41
Wins37
Wins by KO27
Losses2
Draws1
No contests1
Medal record
Men's amateur boxing
Representing  Canada
Junior World Championships
Gold medal – first place 1989 Bayamon Heavyweight

Amateur career

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Johnson represented Canada at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, where he lost in the quarter-finals against eventual silver medallist David Izon (Nigeria).

Highlights

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His amateur record was 76 wins and 7 losses.

Professional career

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Johnson had his first professional bout on April 24, 1993, against Andre Smiley.

In his first title fight in 2002 Johnson faced John Ruiz for the WBA Heavyweight Title. In the tenth round Johnson was disqualified for low blows while losing on all of the judges' scorecards. Johnson appealed the disqualification to the WBA, on the grounds that referee Joe Cortez had erred in calling some of the low blows and did not act impartially (both Ruiz and Cortez are of Puerto Rican descent). Though many boxing commentators agreed that the disqualification was unwarranted, the appeal was ultimately denied by the WBA.

On December 6, 2003, Johnson faced the Ukrainian contender and future champion Vitali Klitschko in New York's Madison Square Garden. He was easily defeated by Klitschko, losing by a second-round knockout.

Johnson compounded the Klitschko embarrassment by coming into this fight at 260 pounds — an all-time high for him. Johnson weighed 232 pounds in his biggest win, over future WBC Heavyweight Champion Oleg Maskaev, in 2000.

Comeback

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After the Klitschko fight, Johnson staged a comeback. He knocked out Mexican heavyweight Gilbert Martinez in July 2004 and won a technical decision over Cuban Yanqui Díaz in June 2005, although he lost his next bout (later changed to a technical decision) against Californian Javier Mora in March 2006. Mora appeared to have accidentally stepped on Johnson's foot, causing Johnson to dislocate his knee. This decision was subsequently appealed and the result changed to a No Decision. Johnson has since recovered from his knee injury.

On April 29, 2010, Johnson returned to the ring after a four-year absence and fought journeyman Douglas Robertson defeating him via first-round TKO.

Johnson finished his career with a record of 37–2–1 (27 KOs), with one no contest.

Halifax Regional Police lawsuit

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In 2003, after dropping out of a planned fight against then-heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis because of an injury, Johnson launched a protracted legal battle against the Halifax Regional Police. During the inquiry, Johnson claimed that because of racism and racial profiling by the Halifax Regional Police[1] he had his car stopped 28 times over five years while in Halifax. Johnson was awarded $10,000 in damages, in addition to $4,790 to cover his travel expenses. The police service was also ordered to create a scholarship in Johnson's name.[2] It is awarded annually to a student from North Preston. Since 2003, 16 students have received awards.[citation needed]

Professional boxing record

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41 fights 37 wins 2 losses
By knockout 27 1
By decision 10 0
By disqualification 0 1
Draws 1
No contests 1
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
41 Win 37–2–1 (1)   Douglas Robertson TKO 1 (4), 1:45 Apr 29, 2010   Motor Speedway, Fort Worth, Texas, U.S.
40 NC 36–2–1 (1)   Javier Mora TKO 7 (10), 1:53 Mar 3, 2006   Pechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula, California, U.S. Originally a TKO win for Mora, later ruled an NC after an incorrect referee call
39 Win 36–2–1   Yanqui Díaz TD 5 (10), 3:00 Jun 9, 2005   Pechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula, California, U.S. Unanimous TD after Díaz was cut from an accidental head clash
38 Win 35–2–1   Gilbert Martinez RTD 8 (10), 3:00 Jul 8, 2004   Pechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula, California, U.S.
37 Loss 34–2–1   Vitali Klitschko TKO 2 (12), 2:54 Dec 6, 2003   Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
36 Win 34–1–1   Lou Savarese TKO 4 (12), 1:52 Mar 15, 2003   Club Life, Dallas, Texas, U.S. Won WBO Inter-Continental heavyweight title
35 Win 33–1–1   Jeremy Bates KO 2 (8), 2:59 Dec 7, 2002   Mandalay Bay Events Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
34 Loss 32–1–1   John Ruiz DQ 10 (12), 2:17 Jul 27, 2002   Mandalay Bay Events Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. For WBA heavyweight title;
Johnson disqualified for repeated low blows
33 Win 32–0–1   Larry Donald UD 12 Jul 7, 2001   KeySpan Park, New York City, New York, U.S.
32 Win 31–0–1   Derrick Banks KO 1 (10), 1:32 Apr 28, 2001   Civic Auditorium, LaPorte, Indiana, U.S.
31 Win 30–0–1   Oleg Maskaev KO 4 (12), 0:51 Oct 7, 2000   Mohegan Sun Arena, Montville, Connecticut, U.S. Won PABA heavyweight title
30 Win 29–0–1   Marcus Johnson TKO 2 (10), 2:00 Jan 27, 2000   Hammerstein Ballroom, New York City, New York, U.S.
29 Win 28–0–1   Rodolfo Marin KO 1 (10), 2:05 Oct 7, 1999   Soaring Eagle Casino, Mount Pleasant, Michigan, U.S.
28 Win 27–0–1   Al Cole UD 10 Mar 20, 1999   Emerald Queen Casino, Tacoma, Washington, U.S.
27 Draw 26–0–1   Al Cole MD 10 Dec 8, 1998   Roseland Ballroom, New York City, New York, U.S.
26 Win 26–0   Levi Billups UD 10 Aug 6, 1998   Coeur d'Alene Casino, Worley, Idaho, U.S.
25 Win 25–0   Eric Curry TKO 1 (10), 1:37 May 9, 1998   Etess Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
24 Win 24–0   Rocky Pepeli TKO 1 (10) Apr 2, 1998   Erie Community College, Williamsville, New York, U.S.
23 Win 23–0   Louis Monaco TKO 7 (10), 2:58 Jul 12, 1997   Grand Casino, Biloxi, Mississippi, U.S.
22 Win 22–0   Everton Davis KO 8 (10), 2:16 Mar 11, 1997   Casino Magic, Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, U.S.
21 Win 21–0   Terry McGroom TKO 8 (10), 3:00 Nov 16, 1996   Bally's Park Place, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
20 Win 20–0   Danell Nicholson UD 10 Aug 23, 1996   Bally's Park Place, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
19 Win 19–0   Darren Hayden TKO 1 (10), 1:44 Jun 12, 1996   Trump World's Fair, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
18 Win 18–0   Mike Dixon TKO 1 (8) Mar 7, 1996   Edmonton Convention Centre, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
17 Win 17–0   Art Bayliss TKO 1 (8), 1:39 Jan 25, 1996   International Plaza Hotel, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
16 Win 16–0   Bradley Rone PTS 8 Dec 21, 1995   Isle of Capri Casino, Bossier City, Louisiana, U.S.
15 Win 15–0   Nathaniel Fitch UD 8 Jul 7, 1995   Civic Center, Bossier City, Louisiana, U.S.
14 Win 14–0   Matt Green KO 1 (8), 1:18 May 3, 1995   69th Regiment Armory, New York City, New York, U.S.
13 Win 13–0   Ron Gullette KO 1 (8) Mar 29, 1995   69th Regiment Armory, New York City, New York, U.S.
12 Win 12–0   Marion Wilson UD 8 Feb 3, 1995   Fernwood Resort, Bushkill, Pennsylvania, U.S.
11 Win 11–0   Tyrone Evans KO 8 (8), 1:43 Nov 5, 1994   MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
10 Win 10–0   Keith McMurray KO 3 (10) Oct 12, 1994   The Pit, Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S.
9 Win 9–0   George O'Mara KO 1 (8) Sep 9, 1994   Grand Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
8 Win 8–0   Ross Puritty UD 6 May 5, 1994   Grand Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
7 Win 7–0   Dave Fiddler TKO 2 (6) Feb 17, 1994   Edmonton Convention Centre, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
6 Win 6–0   Kelvin Hayden KO 1 (6), 2:07 Dec 16, 1993   Foxwoods Resort Casino, Ledyard, Connecticut, U.S.
5 Win 5–0   Willie Johnson KO 3 (6) Oct 27, 1993   Bally's Park Place, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
4 Win 4–0   Bryant Smith UD 6 Oct 6, 1993   Broadway by the Bay Theater, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
3 Win 3–0   Ed Donaldson KO 5 (6) Aug 30, 1993   Kemper Arena, Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.
2 Win 2–0   Earl Talley KO 1 (4), 2:05 Jun 7, 1993   Thomas & Mack Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
1 Win 1–0   Andre Smiley TKO 3 (4), 2:47 Apr 4, 1993   The Aladdin, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.

References

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  1. ^ https://humanrights.novascotia.ca/sites/default/files/2003-Johnson.pdf [bare URL PDF]
  2. ^ CBC News: Boxer Johnson wins Racism Complaint. December 23, 2003 Retrieved 29 December 2008
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Sporting positions
Regional boxing titles
Preceded by PABA heavyweight champion
October 7, 2000 – June 2001
Vacated 		Vacant
Title next held by
Nikolai Valuev
Preceded by WBO Inter-Continental
heavyweight champion
March 15, 2003 – November 2003
Vacated 		Vacant
Title next held by
Timo Hoffmann
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