Leavander Johnson
Encyclopedia
Leavander Johnson was an American lightweight
boxer
from Atlantic City, New Jersey
, who once held the International Boxing Federation
version of the world title. He won the title on June 17, 2005, against the Italian fighter Stefano Zoff
, winning after the referee stopped the fight in the seventh round.
Johnson made his debut as a professional boxer in 1989 following a successful amateur career, during which he fought in over 130 contests. As a professional he quickly built on his reputation as a top prospect by remaining undefeated after his first 22 contests (one of which was drawn). His next fight was against another highly rated youngster, Sharmba Mitchell
(who was also undefeated as a professional). Johnson won the fight, earning himself his first world title shot, by knocking his opponent out in the eighth round. The world title fight came on August 6, 1994 against Miguel Ángel González
for the WBC
Lightweight crown. The fight, which was fought in Ciudad Juárez
, Mexico, ended with Johnson suffering his first loss as a professional, the fight being stopped in the eighth round
Johnson got his second world title shot in May 1997, this time challenging Orzubek Nazarov
for the WBA
version of the lightweight world title. Johnson's challenge once again proved unsuccessful as the fight was stopped in the seventh round for his second loss. He did not fight in another world championship fight for six and a half years after this, during which time he lost once more after he was disqualified for headbutting Michael Clark
during a contest in Atlantic City.
After losing to Javier Jauregui
in a fight for the vacant IBF world title in November 2003, he only fought once in the eighteen months after before getting another shot at the IBF crown, against Zoff. Johnson won the fight, in what proved to be the highlight of his career.
Johnson's career record was 34 wins (26 by KO), 5 losses, 2 draws, and 1 no contest.
. The fight was stopped early in the 11th round after Johnson received a barrage of punches from his opponent. Despite being able to leave the ring under his own momentum, he collapsed in his dressing room shortly afterwards. He was rushed to the hospital and had emergency surgery to correct a subdural hematoma
(swelling and bleeding on the brain). Following the surgery, Johnson was placed in a drug-induced coma
. Despite initial fears that he would not survive the night even after the surgery, he survived into the next week and was showing some early signs of improvement, but still remained in critical condition. However, his condition stopped improving and on September 22, 2005, it was decided to discontinue efforts to artificially prolong his life. He was pronounced dead at 4:23 p.m. PDT surrounded by his family.
Lightweight
Light-weight is a class of athletes in a particular sport, based on their weight.-Professional boxing:The lightweight division is over 130 pounds and up to 135 pounds weight class in the sport of boxing....
boxer
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
from Atlantic City, New Jersey
Atlantic City, New Jersey
Atlantic City is a city in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States, and a nationally renowned resort city for gambling, shopping and fine dining. The city also served as the inspiration for the American version of the board game Monopoly. Atlantic City is located on Absecon Island on the coast...
, who once held the International Boxing Federation
International Boxing Federation
The International Boxing Federation or IBF is one of four major organizations recognized by IBHOF which sanction world championship boxing bouts, alongside the WBA, WBC and WBO.- History :...
version of the world title. He won the title on June 17, 2005, against the Italian fighter Stefano Zoff
Stefano Zoff
Stefano Zoff is an Italian lightweight boxer from Monfalcone, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy.-External links:...
, winning after the referee stopped the fight in the seventh round.
Johnson made his debut as a professional boxer in 1989 following a successful amateur career, during which he fought in over 130 contests. As a professional he quickly built on his reputation as a top prospect by remaining undefeated after his first 22 contests (one of which was drawn). His next fight was against another highly rated youngster, Sharmba Mitchell
Sharmba Mitchell
Sharmba David Mitchell , known professionally as Sharmba Mitchell, is a boxer who was WBA light welterweight champion.Mitchell, nicknamed "Little Big Man", is a native of Takoma Park, Maryland, but a resident of Washington, D.C.....
(who was also undefeated as a professional). Johnson won the fight, earning himself his first world title shot, by knocking his opponent out in the eighth round. The world title fight came on August 6, 1994 against Miguel Ángel González
Miguel Ángel González
Miguel Ángel González Suárez , known as Miguel Ángel, is a retired Spanish footballer who played as a goalkeeper.-Football career:...
for the WBC
World Boxing Council
The World Boxing Council was initially established by 11 countries: the United States, Argentina, United Kingdom, France, Mexico, Philippines, Panama, Chile, Peru, Venezuela and Brazil plus Puerto Rico, met in Mexico City on February 14, 1963, upon invitation of the then President of Mexico, Adolfo...
Lightweight crown. The fight, which was fought in Ciudad Juárez
Ciudad Juárez
Ciudad Juárez , officially known today as Heroica Ciudad Juárez, but abbreviated Juárez and formerly known as El Paso del Norte, is a city and seat of the municipality of Juárez in the Mexican state of Chihuahua. Juárez's estimated population is 1.5 million people. The city lies on the Rio Grande...
, Mexico, ended with Johnson suffering his first loss as a professional, the fight being stopped in the eighth round
Johnson got his second world title shot in May 1997, this time challenging Orzubek Nazarov
Orzubek Nazarov
Orzubek Nazarov is a Kyrgyz boxer, who won the bronze medal at the 1986 World Amateur Boxing Championships in Reno...
for the WBA
World Boxing Association
The World Boxing Association is a boxing organization that sanctions official matches, and awards the WBA world championship title at the professional level. It was previously known as the National Boxing Association before changing its name in 1962...
version of the lightweight world title. Johnson's challenge once again proved unsuccessful as the fight was stopped in the seventh round for his second loss. He did not fight in another world championship fight for six and a half years after this, during which time he lost once more after he was disqualified for headbutting Michael Clark
Michael Clark (boxer)
Michael Clark is a professional boxer. He has twice won the IBC lightweight title. Commonly known by his stagename, "Cold Blood", he has also held the NABF lightweight title, and been a challenger for the WBO title....
during a contest in Atlantic City.
After losing to Javier Jauregui
Javier Jauregui
Javier Rogelio Jáuregui Delgado is a Mexican professional boxer in the lightweight division....
in a fight for the vacant IBF world title in November 2003, he only fought once in the eighteen months after before getting another shot at the IBF crown, against Zoff. Johnson won the fight, in what proved to be the highlight of his career.
Johnson's career record was 34 wins (26 by KO), 5 losses, 2 draws, and 1 no contest.
Death
Johnson defended his title for the first time on September 17, 2005, against Mexican fighter Jesús ChávezJesús Chávez
Jesús Auerelio Chávez is a Mexican professional boxer in the Lightweight division. He is the former NABF, WBC Super Featherweight and IBF Lightweight Champion.-Personal life:...
. The fight was stopped early in the 11th round after Johnson received a barrage of punches from his opponent. Despite being able to leave the ring under his own momentum, he collapsed in his dressing room shortly afterwards. He was rushed to the hospital and had emergency surgery to correct a subdural hematoma
Subdural hematoma
A subdural hematoma or subdural haematoma , also known as a subdural haemorrhage , is a type of haematoma, a form of traumatic brain injury. Blood gathers within the outermost meningeal layer, between the dura mater, which adheres to the skull, and the arachnoid mater, which envelops the brain...
(swelling and bleeding on the brain). Following the surgery, Johnson was placed in a drug-induced coma
Coma
In medicine, a coma is a state of unconsciousness, lasting more than 6 hours in which a person cannot be awakened, fails to respond normally to painful stimuli, light or sound, lacks a normal sleep-wake cycle and does not initiate voluntary actions. A person in a state of coma is described as...
. Despite initial fears that he would not survive the night even after the surgery, he survived into the next week and was showing some early signs of improvement, but still remained in critical condition. However, his condition stopped improving and on September 22, 2005, it was decided to discontinue efforts to artificially prolong his life. He was pronounced dead at 4:23 p.m. PDT surrounded by his family.
External links
- Leavander Johnson Foundation official site