Heavyweight American boxer Kevin Johnson, current Australian IBF champion and also prize fighter finalist gave an insight to his life, through the bad and good, this interview gave us a different side to Kevin Johnson.
Ringnews24.com: What age did you decide you wanted to be a boxer and who inspired you to do so?
I started boxing at 18, I was tired of hanging in the streets doing all the wrong things! There’s a choice of dead or in jail when it comes to the streets!
Ringnews24.com: You had a rather brief amateur career, just 16 fights, and faced reasonably tough competition very early on as a pro, facing Olympian Timur Ibragamov along with veterans like Robert Wiggins and Robert Hawkins all within your first ten fights. Since most boxers of your technical skills have more extensive amateur experience and also a more gradual climb into the Pros, do you regret not starting boxing earlier than 18? And along those lines, what other sports did you participate in as a youngster?
I love the way my career started, especially coming in under Larry Holmes & all star NBA Champ Darryl Dawkins. I wanted to come out the gate as a pro fighting the good fighters at that time. I didn’t want to do what the Malik Scott’s & Seth Mitchell’s did , which was fighting bums to become a top name. I never wanted that , but sometimes you have to fight a few to stay busy ” BUT DAMN ” they did it there whole career.
Ringnews24.com: You’ve been a professional since 2003. Has your career turned out as you expected, or have you achieved more, or less, than you thought when you first started out?
My career took me places, got me a great life, showed me the world, made me great & beautiful money, all doing what I like to do! I wouldn’t change that for nothing! Coming from the bottom of the hoods, and making it to where I’m at now, me and my family are happy!
Ringnews24.com: There are quite a few young US Heavyweight prospects coming through, is there one that you’ve been impressed with, that may have the talent to compete on the World stage?
There are a few good heavyweights out there ” AND I MEAN A FEW” but in 1yrs timing they will be on the top as well.
Ringnews24.com: You’ve had recent success, in Australia, are you now based there and is there potential for fights, with the likes of Chauncy Welliver, David Tua etc.. who operate in that region?
I’ve just won my second title out there and I love it. The people are great, the land is sweet, and there’s a lot of future fights that’s gonna be made for me such as David Tua & Lucas Brown! I’ve got the OPBF title & IBF Australia title, so there’s a lot for me there.
Ringnews24.com: The last time you fought was in April, who do you see as your next opponent?
I’m looking to fight whoever, whenever, I’m not no punk nor will I run or duck anyone ! You win some and you lose some, but what’s your statement to make in the end. I will be champion in the end, I will hold one or maybe even two of those belts.
Ringnews24.com: A former opponent of yours, Tyson Fury, is fighting David Haye in September. How do you see that fight going and who wins?
If Haye runs it’ll be a long 12 rounds , but if he comes in to bang out, it’ll be very interesting!
Ringnews24.com: How much longer do you plan on fighting and what will you do when your boxing career ends?
I’ve always had my hands in real estate so that’s be my flip of money, plus training kids in Asbury Park NJ or wherever I may be in life’s travel time! I plan on being in boxing until there’s a sign to get out, which if I can be blessed to, I’ll be around for 3 more years or so!
Ringnews24.com: Looking back on your career to date, what stands out for you the most and why?
The only thing that stands out for me will be winning the WBC title, once that happens I’m good, then I’ll retire happy!
Ringnews24.com: Last of all, on a personal level what do you think of Tyson Fury having already had a fight with him, what is he like before and after the fight?
It’s not what I think of Fury, it’s more of how great of a job Peter Fury has done and is doing with him! His trainer is changing and adjusting him nicely! As far as how good he really is on a personal level, I can’t say, I fought the guy with only two weeks notice, only 12 days of training and 7 days of sparring! So how good is he actually, we gonna find out in the future when we fight again. Cause I’ll be back at the top and we will fight for one of those lovely titles!
