Leavander Johnson
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| Leavander Johnson | |
| Statistics | |
|---|---|
| Real name | Leavander Johnson |
| Nickname | |
| Weight | Lightweight |
| Nationality |  American |
| Birth date | December 24, 1969 |
| Birth place | New Jersey, New Jersey, USA |
| Death date | September 22, 2005 |
| Death place | Las Vegas, Nevada, USA |
| Style | Orthodox |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 42 |
| Wins | 34 |
| Wins by KO | 26 |
| Losses | 5 |
| Draws | 2 |
| No contests | 1 |
Leavander Johnson (December 24, 1969 – September 22, 2005) was an American lightweight boxer. He 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 Angel Gonzalez 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, many considered Johnson's chance of becoming a world champion to be over, dismissing him as a choker. He only fought once in the eighteen months after this defeat 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.
[edit] Death
Johnson defended his title for the first time on September 17, 2005 against Mexican fighter Jesús Chávez. 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 with his family around him.
[edit] External links
| Preceded by Julio Diaz Vacates |
IBF Lightweight Champion 17 Jun 2005–17 Sep 2005 |
Succeeded by Jesús Chávez |
