Kirk Johnson

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

Amateur career

Johnson represented Canada at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, where he lost in the quarter-finals against eventual silver medallist David Izon (Nigeria). His amateur record was 76 wins and 7 losses.

Pro career

He 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 Kltschko 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

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's record is now at 37–2–1 (27 KOs), with one No Decision.

Halifax Regional Police lawsuit

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 will be awarded annually to a student from North Preston. Since 2003, 12 students have received awards.

Professional boxing record

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 and 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 and Casino, Temecula, California, U.S.	Unanimous TD after Díaz sustained a cut from an accidental head clash
38	Win	35–2–1	Gilbert Martinez	RTD	8 (10), 3:00	Jul 8, 2004	Pechanga Resort and 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	Shaw Conference 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	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.	Professional debut

Titles in boxing

References

External links

• Professional boxing record for Kirk Johnson from BoxRec