Stevie Johnston
Encyclopedia
Steven Earl Johnston is an American boxer in the lightweight
division. Johnston is a two-time former WBC Lightweight Champion.
in 1997, winning a close split decision. Johnston defended the title three times before losing the belt to Cesar Bazan
in 1998 in a close decision. In 1999 he won a rematch against Bazan in another close decision. He defended the title four times, including a victory over Angel Manfredy
, but lost the belt in a loss to José Luis Castillo
in 2000 via majority decision. The loss was declared the 2000 Upset of the Year by Ring Magazine, as Castillo was relatively unknown at the time and Johnston was thought to be over the hill. It wasn't until a couple years later that the world would know how good of a fighter Castillo was. Later that year, in an attempt to regain the belt, Johnston rematched Castillo. In a bizarre ending, Johnston was originally declared the winner by Majority decision.
Several minutes later it was discovered that Judge Ken Morita's scorecard (originally 115-114 Johnston) had been added incorrectly and should have read 114-114, thus making the bout a draw and allowing Castillo to retain his title. This was to be Johnston's last shot at a major title.
He lost his next big fight, a WBC Lightweight Title Eliminator in 2003 to contender Juan Lazcano
, a stunning 11th round TKO loss. Prior to the loss, the durable Johnston had never been stopped. After the loss, Johnston was inactive for more than two years due to injuries suffered in a car accident later that year. "I'm lucky to be alive, never mind fighting," Stevie explained. "I went through the windshield, woke up in the hospital, and ended-up with more than 100-stitches in my face." http://www.talkingboxing.com/releases/2006/0106.html Johnston came back in 2005 and in 2006 took on former 140 lbs WBA world title holder Vivian Harris
and was dominated. Johnston was down twice in the 1st round and once in rounds 4 and 7, losing in a 7th round TKO. In 2007 he was stopped by Rolando Reyes.
In 2008, Johnston suffered another defeat by way of KO at the hands of a taller and younger Edner Cherry
. A left jab followed immediately by a right cross which landed squarely on Johnston's chin and knocked him down with only 30 seconds left in the 10th and final round. Making matters worse, Johnston slammed the back of his head against the canvas on the way down, and was unconscious for several minutes after the count.
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....
division. Johnston is a two-time former WBC Lightweight Champion.
Amateur career
Johnston had a storied amaetur career, compiling an amateur record of 260-13. Some of his highlights include:- 1989 lost at Lightweight in the United States Championships to Shane MosleyShane Mosley“Sugar” Shane Mosley is an American professional boxer from Pomona, California who has held world titles in three weight divisions.-Amateur career:Mosley was an amateur standout, capturing various amateur titles, including:...
- 1990 United States Amateur champion at Light Welterweight
- 1990 2nd place at Light Welterweight at the World Championships in Lima, Peru; losing to Hector VinentHéctor VinentHéctor Vinent Cháron was a Cuban boxer, who won the Light Welterweight Gold medal at the 1992 Summer Olympics and 1996 Summer Olympics.-External links:**...
of Cuba. - 1991 Silver medalist at the USA Sports festival beating Shane MosleyShane Mosley“Sugar” Shane Mosley is an American professional boxer from Pomona, California who has held world titles in three weight divisions.-Amateur career:Mosley was an amateur standout, capturing various amateur titles, including:...
by decision, and losing to Terron MillettTerron MillettTerron Millett was a professional boxer in the Welterweight division and former IBF Light Welterweight Champion.-Amateur career:Millett was the 1991 National Golden Gloves Light welterweight champion.-Pro career:...
by decision - 1991 Light Welterweight Gold Medalist at the Pan-American Games in Havana, Cuba. Results were:
- Mark LeducMark LeducMark Leduc was a boxer from Canada, who won a silver medal at the 1992 Barcelona Summer Olympics.- Olympic results :*Defeated Godfrey Wakaabu 9-2*Defeated Dillon Carew 5-0...
(Canada) won on points - Luiz da Silva (Brazil) won by forfeit
- Edgar Ruiz (Mexico) won on points
- Mark Leduc
- 1992 2nd place at Light Welterweight at United States Amateur Championships, losing to Shane MosleyShane Mosley“Sugar” Shane Mosley is an American professional boxer from Pomona, California who has held world titles in three weight divisions.-Amateur career:Mosley was an amateur standout, capturing various amateur titles, including:...
. - 1992 finished 2nd at the Olympic Trials in Worcester, MA, attempting to qualify as a Light Welterweight. Results were:
- Mark LewisMark LewisMark Lewis may refer to:*Mark Lewis , infielder in Major League Baseball*Mark Lewis , documentary film and television producer*Mark Lewis , Arena Football League placekicker...
won on points - Terron MillettTerron MillettTerron Millett was a professional boxer in the Welterweight division and former IBF Light Welterweight Champion.-Amateur career:Millett was the 1991 National Golden Gloves Light welterweight champion.-Pro career:...
won on points - Vernon ForrestVernon ForrestVernon Forrest, nicknamed "The Viper", was an American professional boxer who became a world champion in the welterweight and light middleweight divisions and noted for his two victories over Shane Mosley and upset losses to Ricardo Mayorga.- Early years and amateur career :Forrest began boxing at...
lost on points, Johnston then lost again to Forrest in the Box-Offs in Phoenix.
- Mark Lewis
Professional career
Known as "Lil' But Bad", Johnston turned pro in 1993 and fought for the WBC Lightweight Title against Jean Baptiste MendyJean Baptiste Mendy
Jean-Baptiste Mendy is a French former professional boxer of African origin. He's also a former WBC and WBA lightweight champion.- Professional career :...
in 1997, winning a close split decision. Johnston defended the title three times before losing the belt to Cesar Bazan
Cesar Bazan
César Bazán Pérez is a former professional boxer in the Light Welterweight division and is the former WBC Lightweight Champion.-Professional career:...
in 1998 in a close decision. In 1999 he won a rematch against Bazan in another close decision. He defended the title four times, including a victory over Angel Manfredy
Angel Manfredy
Angel Manfredy is a Puerto Rican-American former boxer who has fought in the Junior Welterweight, Lightweight and Junior Lightweight divisions...
, but lost the belt in a loss to José Luis Castillo
José Luis Castillo
José Luis Castillo is a Mexican boxer. Nicknamed El Temible, Castillo is considered one the best lightweights of his era. He is the former The Ring and two-time WBC Lightweight champion....
in 2000 via majority decision. The loss was declared the 2000 Upset of the Year by Ring Magazine, as Castillo was relatively unknown at the time and Johnston was thought to be over the hill. It wasn't until a couple years later that the world would know how good of a fighter Castillo was. Later that year, in an attempt to regain the belt, Johnston rematched Castillo. In a bizarre ending, Johnston was originally declared the winner by Majority decision.
Several minutes later it was discovered that Judge Ken Morita's scorecard (originally 115-114 Johnston) had been added incorrectly and should have read 114-114, thus making the bout a draw and allowing Castillo to retain his title. This was to be Johnston's last shot at a major title.
He lost his next big fight, a WBC Lightweight Title Eliminator in 2003 to contender Juan Lazcano
Juan Lazcano
Juan Lazcano is a Mexican American professional boxer from El Paso, Texas, who is now based in Sacramento, California, USA....
, a stunning 11th round TKO loss. Prior to the loss, the durable Johnston had never been stopped. After the loss, Johnston was inactive for more than two years due to injuries suffered in a car accident later that year. "I'm lucky to be alive, never mind fighting," Stevie explained. "I went through the windshield, woke up in the hospital, and ended-up with more than 100-stitches in my face." http://www.talkingboxing.com/releases/2006/0106.html Johnston came back in 2005 and in 2006 took on former 140 lbs WBA world title holder Vivian Harris
Vivian Harris
"Vicious" Vivian Harris is a Guyanese professional boxer who was born in Georgetown, Guyana and now resides in Brooklyn, New York...
and was dominated. Johnston was down twice in the 1st round and once in rounds 4 and 7, losing in a 7th round TKO. In 2007 he was stopped by Rolando Reyes.
In 2008, Johnston suffered another defeat by way of KO at the hands of a taller and younger Edner Cherry
Edner Cherry
Edner Cherry is a professional boxer. He was born in Nassau, Bahamas, and currently lives in the United States, residing in Wauchula, Florida....
. A left jab followed immediately by a right cross which landed squarely on Johnston's chin and knocked him down with only 30 seconds left in the 10th and final round. Making matters worse, Johnston slammed the back of his head against the canvas on the way down, and was unconscious for several minutes after the count.