Kirk Johnson

Kirk Cyron Johnson (born June 29, 1972) is a Canadian professional heavyweight boxer from North Preston, Nova Scotia.

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). His amateur record was 76 wins and 7 losses.

Pro career

He 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 Kltschko 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 Diaz 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

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 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.^[1] It will be awarded annually to a student from North Preston. Since 2003, 12 students have received awards.

Professional boxing record

37 Wins (27 knockouts, 10 decisions), 2 Losses (1 knockout, 1 decision), 1 Draw, 1 No Contest
Result	Record	Opponent	Type	Rounds	Date	Location	Notes
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	37-2-1 1 NC	Douglas Robertson	TKO	1 (4)	29/04/2010	Texas Motor Speedway, Fort Worth, Texas, United States	Robertson down twice.
NC	36-2-1 1 NC	Javier Mora	ND	7 (10)	03/03/2006	Pechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula, California, United States	Johnson suffered a dislocated knee. Result changed from TKO on appeal to the CSAC on August 7, due to Johnson's foot being stepped on.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	36-2-1	Yanqui Diaz	TD	5 (10)	09/06/2005	Pechanga Entertainment Center, Temecula, California, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	35-2-1	Gilbert Martinez	TKO	8 (10)	08/07/2004	Pechanga Entertainment Center, Temecula, California, United States	Martinez stopped due to a cut at end of 8th round.
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss	34-2-1	Vitali Klitschko	TKO	2 (12)	06/12/2003	Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, United States	WBC Heavyweight title eliminator.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	34-1-1	Lou Savarese	TKO	4 (12)	15/03/2003	Club Life, Dallas, Texas, United States	Won WBO Inter-Continental Heavyweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	33-1-1	Jeremy Bates	KO	2 (8)	07/12/2002	Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss	32-1-1	John Ruiz	DQ	10 (12)	27/07/2002	Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States	For WBA Heavyweight title. Johnson DQ'd for low blows.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	32-0-1	Larry Donald	UD	12	07/07/2001	KeySpan Park, Brooklyn, New York, United States	WBA Heavyweight title eliminator.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	31-0-1	Derrick Banks	KO	1 (10)	28/04/2001	Civic Center, LaPorte, Indiana, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	30-0-1	Oleg Maskaev	KO	4 (12)	07/10/2000	Mohegan Sun Casino, Uncasville, Connecticut, United States	Won PABA Heavyweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	29-0-1	Marcus Johnson	TKO	2 (10)	27/01/2000	Hammerstein Ballroom, New York, New York, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	28-0-1	Rodolfo Marin	KO	1 (10)	07/10/1999	Soaring Eagle Casino, Mount Pleasant, Michigan, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	27-0-1	Alfred Cole	UD	10	20/03/1999	Emerald Queen Casino, Mount Tacoma, Washington, United States
Draw	26-0-1	Alfred Cole	PTS	10	08/12/1998	Roseland Ballroom, New York, New York, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	26–0	Levi Billups	UD	10	06/08/1998	Coeur d'Alene Casino, Worley, Idaho, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	25–0	Eric Curry	TKO	1 (10)	09/05/1998	Trump Taj Mahal, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	24–0	Rocky Pepeli	TKO	1 (10)	02/04/1998	Erie County College, Buffalo, New York, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	23–0	Louis Monaco	TKO	7 (10)	12/07/1997	Grand Casino, Biloxi, Mississippi, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	22–0	Everton Davis	TKO	8 (10)	11/03/1997	Casino Magic, Bay Saint Louis, Mississippi, United States	Davis knocked down in the 2nd and 8th rounds. Johnson down in the 5th.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	21–0	Terry McGroom	TKO	8 (10)	16/11/1996	Ballys Park Place Hotel Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	20–0	Danell Nicholson	UD	10	23/08/1996	Ballys Park Place Hotel Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	19–0	Darren Hayden	TKO	1 (10)	12/06/1996	Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	18–0	Mike Dixon	TKO	1 (8)	07/03/1996	Convention Centre, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	17–0	Art Bayliss	TKO	1 (8)	25/01/1996	International Plaza Hotel, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	16–0	Bradley Rone	PTS	8	21/12/1995	Bossier City, Louisiana, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	15–0	Nathaniel Fitch	PTS	10	07/07/1995	Bossier City Civic Center, Bossier City, Louisiana, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	14–0	Matt Green	KO	1 (8)	03/05/1995	Lexington Avenue Armory, New York, New York, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	13–0	Ron Gullette	KO	1 (8)	29/03/1995	New York, New York, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	12–0	Marion Wilson	UD	8	03/02/1995	Fernwood Resort, Bushkill, Pennsylvania, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	11–0	Tyrone Evans	KO	8 (8)	05/11/1994	MGM Grand, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	10–0	Keith McMurray	KO	3 (10)	12/10/1994	The Pit, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	9–0	George O'Mara	KO	1 (8)	09/09/1994	Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	8–0	Ross Puritty	UD	6	05/05/1994	Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	7–0	Dave Fiddler	TKO	2 (6)	17/02/1994	Convention Centre, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	6–0	Kelvin Hayden	KO	1 (6)	16/12/1993	Foxwoods Resort, Mashantucket, Connecticut, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	5–0	Willie Johnson	KO	3 (6)	27/10/1993	Ballys Park Place Hotel Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	4–0	Bryant Smith	PTS	6	06/10/1993	Harrah's Marina Hotel Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	3–0	Ed Donaldson	KO	5 (6)	30/08/1993	Kemper Arena, Kansas City, Missouri, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	2–0	Earl Talley	KO	1 (4)	07/06/1993	Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	1–0	Andre Smiley	TKO	3 (4)	04/04/1993	Aladdin Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States	Pro debut for Johnson.

External links

• Professional boxing record for Kirk Johnson from BoxRec

Notes

1. ↑ CBC News: Boxer Johnson wins Racism Complaint. December 23, 2003 Retrieved 29 December 2008