Kirk Johnson

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Kirk Johnson
Born
Kirk Cyron Johnson

(1972-06-29) June 29, 1972 (age 51)
NationalityCanadian
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

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.

Amateur career[edit]

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

Highlights[edit]

His amateur record was 76 wins and 7 losses.

Professional career[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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) United States Douglas Robertson TKO 1 (4), 1:45 Apr 29, 2010 United States Motor Speedway, Fort Worth, Texas, U.S.
40 NC 36–2–1 (1) Mexico Javier Mora TKO 7 (10), 1:53 Mar 3, 2006 United States 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 Cuba Yanqui Díaz TD 5 (10), 3:00 Jun 9, 2005 United States Pechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula, California, U.S. Unanimous TD after Díaz was cut from an accidental head clash
38 Win 35–2–1 Mexico Gilbert Martinez RTD 8 (10), 3:00 Jul 8, 2004 United States Pechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula, California, U.S.
37 Loss 34–2–1 Ukraine Vitali Klitschko TKO 2 (12), 2:54 Dec 6, 2003 United States Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
36 Win 34–1–1 United States Lou Savarese TKO 4 (12), 1:52 Mar 15, 2003 United States Club Life, Dallas, Texas, U.S. Won WBO Inter-Continental heavyweight title
35 Win 33–1–1 United States Jeremy Bates KO 2 (8), 2:59 Dec 7, 2002 United States Mandalay Bay Events Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
34 Loss 32–1–1 United States John Ruiz DQ 10 (12), 2:17 Jul 27, 2002 United States Mandalay Bay Events Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. For WBA heavyweight title;
Johnson disqualified for repeated low blows
33 Win 32–0–1 United States Larry Donald UD 12 Jul 7, 2001 United States KeySpan Park, New York City, New York, U.S.
32 Win 31–0–1 United States Derrick Banks KO 1 (10), 1:32 Apr 28, 2001 United States Civic Auditorium, LaPorte, Indiana, U.S.
31 Win 30–0–1 Uzbekistan Oleg Maskaev KO 4 (12), 0:51 Oct 7, 2000 United States Mohegan Sun Arena, Montville, Connecticut, U.S. Won PABA heavyweight title
30 Win 29–0–1 United States Marcus Johnson TKO 2 (10), 2:00 Jan 27, 2000 United States Hammerstein Ballroom, New York City, New York, U.S.
29 Win 28–0–1 Puerto Rico Rodolfo Marin KO 1 (10), 2:05 Oct 7, 1999 United States Soaring Eagle Casino, Mount Pleasant, Michigan, U.S.
28 Win 27–0–1 United States Al Cole UD 10 Mar 20, 1999 United States Emerald Queen Casino, Tacoma, Washington, U.S.
27 Draw 26–0–1 United States Al Cole MD 10 Dec 8, 1998 United States Roseland Ballroom, New York City, New York, U.S.
26 Win 26–0 United States Levi Billups UD 10 Aug 6, 1998 United States Coeur d'Alene Casino, Worley, Idaho, U.S.
25 Win 25–0 United States Eric Curry TKO 1 (10), 1:37 May 9, 1998 United States Etess Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
24 Win 24–0 United States Rocky Pepeli TKO 1 (10) Apr 2, 1998 United States Erie Community College, Williamsville, New York, U.S.
23 Win 23–0 United States Louis Monaco TKO 7 (10), 2:58 Jul 12, 1997 United States Grand Casino, Biloxi, Mississippi, U.S.
22 Win 22–0 Jamaica Everton Davis KO 8 (10), 2:16 Mar 11, 1997 United States Casino Magic, Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, U.S.
21 Win 21–0 United States Terry McGroom TKO 8 (10), 3:00 Nov 16, 1996 United States Bally's Park Place, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
20 Win 20–0 United States Danell Nicholson UD 10 Aug 23, 1996 United States Bally's Park Place, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
19 Win 19–0 United States Darren Hayden TKO 1 (10), 1:44 Jun 12, 1996 United States Trump World's Fair, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
18 Win 18–0 United States Mike Dixon TKO 1 (8) Mar 7, 1996 Canada Edmonton Convention Centre, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
17 Win 17–0 United States Art Bayliss TKO 1 (8), 1:39 Jan 25, 1996 Canada International Plaza Hotel, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
16 Win 16–0 United States Bradley Rone PTS 8 Dec 21, 1995 United States Isle of Capri Casino, Bossier City, Louisiana, U.S.
15 Win 15–0 United States Nathaniel Fitch UD 8 Jul 7, 1995 United States Civic Center, Bossier City, Louisiana, U.S.
14 Win 14–0 United States Matt Green KO 1 (8), 1:18 May 3, 1995 United States 69th Regiment Armory, New York City, New York, U.S.
13 Win 13–0 United States Ron Gullette KO 1 (8) Mar 29, 1995 United States 69th Regiment Armory, New York City, New York, U.S.
12 Win 12–0 United States Marion Wilson UD 8 Feb 3, 1995 United States Fernwood Resort, Bushkill, Pennsylvania, U.S.
11 Win 11–0 United States Tyrone Evans KO 8 (8), 1:43 Nov 5, 1994 United States MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
10 Win 10–0 United States Keith McMurray KO 3 (10) Oct 12, 1994 United States The Pit, Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S.
9 Win 9–0 United States George O'Mara KO 1 (8) Sep 9, 1994 United States Grand Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
8 Win 8–0 United States Ross Puritty UD 6 May 5, 1994 United States Grand Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
7 Win 7–0 Canada Dave Fiddler TKO 2 (6) Feb 17, 1994 Canada Edmonton Convention Centre, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
6 Win 6–0 United States Kelvin Hayden KO 1 (6), 2:07 Dec 16, 1993 United States Foxwoods Resort Casino, Ledyard, Connecticut, U.S.
5 Win 5–0 United States Willie Johnson KO 3 (6) Oct 27, 1993 United States Bally's Park Place, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
4 Win 4–0 United States Bryant Smith UD 6 Oct 6, 1993 United States Broadway by the Bay Theater, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
3 Win 3–0 United States Ed Donaldson KO 5 (6) Aug 30, 1993 United States Kemper Arena, Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.
2 Win 2–0 United States Earl Talley KO 1 (4), 2:05 Jun 7, 1993 United States Thomas & Mack Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
1 Win 1–0 United States Andre Smiley TKO 3 (4), 2:47 Apr 4, 1993 United States The Aladdin, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.

References[edit]

External links[edit]

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