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Kirk Johnson

{{short description|Canadian boxer (born 1972)}}

{{about|the boxer}}

{{pp-move-indef}}

{{BLP sources|date=July 2012}}

{{Infobox boxer

| name = Kirk Johnson

| image =

| realname = Kirk Cyron Johnson

| nickname = Bubba

| weight = Heavyweight

| height = 6 ft 2 in

| reach = 81 in

| nationality = {{flagicon|Canada}} Canadian

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1972|6|29}}

| birth_place = North Preston, Nova Scotia, Canada

| total = 41

| wins = 37

| KO = 27

| losses = 2

| draws = 1

| no contests = 1

| medaltemplates =

{{MedalSport|Men's amateur boxing}}

{{MedalCountry | {{CAN}} }}

{{MedalCompetition | Junior World Championships}}

{{MedalGold | 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

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

=Highlights=

{{Col-begin}}

{{Col-2}}

{{gold1}} Junior World Championships, Bayamon, Puerto Rico, August 1989:

  • 1/4: Defeated Pencho Dzhurov (Bulgaria) KO 1
  • 1/2: Defeated Bobby Harris (United States) RSCH 1
  • Finals: Defeated Dmitriy Avdalyan (Soviet Union) on points, 24–11

{{bronze3}} Trofeo Italia, Mestre, Venice, Italy, March 1991:

  • 1/4: Defeated Peter Hart (Hungary) RET 1
  • 1/2: Lost to Peter Stettinger (Germany) by unanimous decision, 0–5

World Championships, Sydney, Australia, November 1991:

{{Col-2}}

{{silver2}} Box-Am Tournament, Badalona, Spain, February 1992:

North & Central American Olympic Qualifications, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, April 1992:

  • 1/2: Defeated Aridio Fana (Dominican Republic) on points, 18–2
  • Finals: Defeated Jose Aníbal Marrero (Puerto Rico) on points, 28–4

Summer Olympics, Barcelona, Spain, July–August 1992:

{{Col-end}}

His amateur record was 76 wins and 7 losses.

Professional career

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=

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 finished his career with a record of 37–2–1 (27 KOs), with one no contest.

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 Policehttps://humanrights.novascotia.ca/sites/default/files/2003-Johnson.pdf {{Bare URL PDF|date=March 2022}} 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.[https://www.cbc.ca/sports/boxer-johnson-wins-racism-complaint-1.401361 CBC News: Boxer Johnson wins Racism Complaint. December 23, 2003] Retrieved 29 December 2008 It is awarded annually to a student from North Preston. Since 2003, 16 students have received awards.{{citation needed|date=January 2018}}

Professional boxing record

{{BoxingRecordSummary

|draws=1

|nc=1

|ko-wins=27

|ko-losses=1

|dec-wins=10

|dq-losses=1

}}

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
{{abbr|No.|Number}}

!Result

!Record

!Opponent

!Type

!Round, time

!Date

!Location

!Notes

41

|{{yes2}}Win

|{{nowrap|37–2–1 {{small|(1)}}}}

|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} Douglas Robertson

|TKO

|1 (4), {{small|1:45}}

|Apr 29, 2010

|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|Motor Speedway, Fort Worth, Texas, U.S.}}

|

40

|style="background:#DDD"|{{abbr|NC|No contest}}

|36–2–1 {{small|(1)}}

|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|MEX}} Javier Mora

|TKO

|7 (10), {{small|1:53}}

|Mar 3, 2006

|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|Pechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula, California, U.S.}}

|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Originally a TKO win for Mora, later ruled an NC after an incorrect referee call}}

39

|{{yes2}}Win

|36–2–1

|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|CUB}} Yanqui Díaz

|{{abbr|TD|Technical decision}}

|5 (10), {{small|3:00}}

|Jun 9, 2005

|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|Pechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula, California, U.S.}}

|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Unanimous TD after Díaz was cut from an accidental head clash}}

38

|{{yes2}}Win

|35–2–1

|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|MEX}} Gilbert Martinez

|{{abbr|RTD|Corner retirement}}

|8 (10), {{small|3:00}}

|Jul 8, 2004

|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|Pechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula, California, U.S.}}

|

37

|{{no2}}Loss

|34–2–1

|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|UKR}} Vitali Klitschko

|TKO

|2 (12), {{small|2:54}}

|Dec 6, 2003

|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.}}

|

36

|{{yes2}}Win

|34–1–1

|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} Lou Savarese

|TKO

|4 (12), {{small|1:52}}

|Mar 15, 2003

|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|Club Life, Dallas, Texas, U.S.}}

|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Won WBO Inter-Continental heavyweight title}}

35

|{{yes2}}Win

|33–1–1

|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} Jeremy Bates

|KO

|2 (8), {{small|2:59}}

|Dec 7, 2002

|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|Mandalay Bay Events Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.}}

|

34

|{{no2}}Loss

|32–1–1

|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} John Ruiz

|{{abbr|DQ|Disqualification}}

|10 (12), {{small|2:17}}

|Jul 27, 2002

|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|Mandalay Bay Events Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.}}

|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|For WBA heavyweight title;
Johnson disqualified for repeated low blows}}

33

|{{yes2}}Win

|32–0–1

|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} Larry Donald

|UD

|12

|Jul 7, 2001

|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|KeySpan Park, New York City, New York, U.S.}}

|

32

|{{yes2}}Win

|31–0–1

|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} Derrick Banks

|KO

|1 (10), {{small|1:32}}

|Apr 28, 2001

|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|Civic Auditorium, LaPorte, Indiana, U.S.}}

|

31

|{{yes2}}Win

|30–0–1

|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|Uzbekistan}} Oleg Maskaev

|KO

|4 (12), {{small|0:51}}

|Oct 7, 2000

|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|Mohegan Sun Arena, Montville, Connecticut, U.S.}}

|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Won PABA heavyweight title}}

30

|{{yes2}}Win

|29–0–1

|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} Marcus Johnson

|TKO

|2 (10), {{small|2:00}}

|Jan 27, 2000

|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|Hammerstein Ballroom, New York City, New York, U.S.}}

|

29

|{{yes2}}Win

|28–0–1

|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|PUR}} Rodolfo Marin

|KO

|1 (10), {{small|2:05}}

|Oct 7, 1999

|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|Soaring Eagle Casino, Mount Pleasant, Michigan, U.S.}}

|

28

|{{yes2}}Win

|27–0–1

|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} Al Cole

|UD

|10

|Mar 20, 1999

|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|Emerald Queen Casino, Tacoma, Washington, U.S.}}

|

27

|{{draw}}Draw

|26–0–1

|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} Al Cole

|{{abbr|MD|Majority draw}}

|10

|Dec 8, 1998

|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|Roseland Ballroom, New York City, New York, U.S.}}

|

26

|{{yes2}}Win

|26–0

|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} Levi Billups

|UD

|10

|Aug 6, 1998

|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|Coeur d'Alene Casino, Worley, Idaho, U.S.}}

|

25

|{{yes2}}Win

|25–0

|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} Eric Curry

|TKO

|1 (10), {{small|1:37}}

|May 9, 1998

|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|Etess Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.}}

|

24

|{{yes2}}Win

|24–0

|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} Rocky Pepeli

|TKO

|1 (10)

|Apr 2, 1998

|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|Erie Community College, Williamsville, New York, U.S.}}

|

23

|{{yes2}}Win

|23–0

|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} Louis Monaco

|TKO

|7 (10), {{small|2:58}}

|Jul 12, 1997

|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|Grand Casino, Biloxi, Mississippi, U.S.}}

|

22

|{{yes2}}Win

|22–0

|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|JAM}} Everton Davis

|KO

|8 (10), {{small|2:16}}

|Mar 11, 1997

|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|Casino Magic, Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, U.S.}}

|

21

|{{yes2}}Win

|21–0

|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} Terry McGroom

|TKO

|8 (10), {{small|3:00}}

|Nov 16, 1996

|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|Bally's Park Place, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.}}

|

20

|{{yes2}}Win

|20–0

|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} Danell Nicholson

|UD

|10

|Aug 23, 1996

|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|Bally's Park Place, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.}}

|

19

|{{yes2}}Win

|19–0

|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} Darren Hayden

|TKO

|1 (10), {{small|1:44}}

|Jun 12, 1996

|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|Trump World's Fair, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.}}

|

18

|{{yes2}}Win

|18–0

|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} Mike Dixon

|TKO

|1 (8)

|Mar 7, 1996

|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|CAN}} {{small|Edmonton Convention Centre, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada}}

|

17

|{{yes2}}Win

|17–0

|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} Art Bayliss

|TKO

|1 (8), {{small|1:39}}

|Jan 25, 1996

|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|CAN}} {{small|International Plaza Hotel, Toronto, Ontario, Canada}}

|

16

|{{yes2}}Win

|16–0

|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} Bradley Rone

|{{abbr|PTS|Points decision}}

|8

|Dec 21, 1995

|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|Isle of Capri Casino, Bossier City, Louisiana, U.S.}}

|

15

|{{yes2}}Win

|15–0

|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} Nathaniel Fitch

|UD

|8

|Jul 7, 1995

|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|Civic Center, Bossier City, Louisiana, U.S.}}

|

14

|{{yes2}}Win

|14–0

|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} Matt Green

|KO

|1 (8), {{small|1:18}}

|May 3, 1995

|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|69th Regiment Armory, New York City, New York, U.S.}}

|

13

|{{yes2}}Win

|13–0

|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} Ron Gullette

|KO

|1 (8)

|Mar 29, 1995

|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|69th Regiment Armory, New York City, New York, U.S.}}

|

12

|{{yes2}}Win

|12–0

|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} Marion Wilson

|UD

|8

|Feb 3, 1995

|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|Fernwood Resort, Bushkill, Pennsylvania, U.S.}}

|

11

|{{yes2}}Win

|11–0

|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} Tyrone Evans

|KO

|8 (8), {{small|1:43}}

|Nov 5, 1994

|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.}}

|

10

|{{yes2}}Win

|10–0

|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} Keith McMurray

|KO

|3 (10)

|Oct 12, 1994

|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|The Pit, Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S.}}

|

9

|{{yes2}}Win

|9–0

|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} George O'Mara

|KO

|1 (8)

|Sep 9, 1994

|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|Grand Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.}}

|

8

|{{yes2}}Win

|8–0

|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} Ross Puritty

|UD

|6

|May 5, 1994

|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|Grand Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.}}

|

7

|{{yes2}}Win

|7–0

|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|CAN}} Dave Fiddler

|TKO

|2 (6)

|Feb 17, 1994

|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|CAN}} {{small|Edmonton Convention Centre, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada}}

|

6

|{{yes2}}Win

|6–0

|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} Kelvin Hayden

|KO

|1 (6), {{small|2:07}}

|Dec 16, 1993

|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|Foxwoods Resort Casino, Ledyard, Connecticut, U.S.}}

|

5

|{{yes2}}Win

|5–0

|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} Willie Johnson

|KO

|3 (6)

|Oct 27, 1993

|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|Bally's Park Place, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.}}

|

4

|{{yes2}}Win

|4–0

|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} Bryant Smith

|{{abbr|UD|Unanimous decision}}

|6

|Oct 6, 1993

|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|Broadway by the Bay Theater, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.}}

|

3

|{{yes2}}Win

|3–0

|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} Ed Donaldson

|KO

|5 (6)

|Aug 30, 1993

|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|Kemper Arena, Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.}}

|

2

|{{yes2}}Win

|2–0

|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} Earl Talley

|{{abbr|KO|Knockout}}

|1 (4), {{small|2:05}}

|Jun 7, 1993

|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|Thomas & Mack Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.}}

|

1

|{{yes2}}Win

|1–0

|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} Andre Smiley

|{{abbr|TKO|Technical knockout}}

|3 (4), {{small|2:47}}

|Apr 4, 1993

|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|The Aladdin, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.}}

|

References

{{Reflist}}

External links

  • {{Sports links}}

{{s-start}}

{{s-sports}}

{{s-text|style=background:#C1D8FF; font-weight: bold;|text=Regional boxing titles}}

{{s-bef|before=Oleg Maskaev}}

{{s-ttl|title=PABA heavyweight champion

|years=October 7, 2000 – June 2001
Vacated}}

{{s-vac|next=Nikolai Valuev}}

{{s-bef|before=Lou Savarese}}

{{s-ttl|title=WBO Inter-Continental
heavyweight champion

|years=March 15, 2003 – November 2003
Vacated}}

{{s-vac|next=Timo Hoffmann}}

{{s-end}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Johnson, Kirk}}

Category:1972 births

Category:Black Nova Scotians

Category:Boxers at the 1992 Summer Olympics

Category:Black Canadian boxers

Category:Black Canadian sportsmen

Category:Living people

Category:Olympic boxers for Canada

Category:People from the Halifax Regional Municipality

Category:Canadian male boxers

Category:Heavyweight boxers

Category:Boxing people from Nova Scotia