Damit Levander Johnson vielleicht etwas mehr in Erinnerung bleibt, hier sein letztes ausführliches Interview vor seiner Titelverteidigung. Finde ich nicht uninteressant und einige Aussagen sind vielleicht auch ein Indiz dafür, dass sein Tod letztendlich die "logische" Konsequenz in einer langen Kette von Ursachen ist. Nicht zuletzt, sein letzter Fight als bislang größter Zahltag seines Lebens, wobei seine angebliche Börse von 125.000 Dollar bei mir schon einen faden Beigeschmack hinterlässt. Ist eh nicht viel für die TV eines Champions im Rahmen von HBO.
Boxing: RSR Chats With IBF Lightweight Champ Leavander Johnson
By Brian Wilbur - Sept. 7, 2005
The story of Leavander Johnson is an inspirational story about perseverance. At one time he was an undefeated prospect, thought of highly among boxing insiders, but fell short when he got to the big show. Johnson received three world title shots during his career between 1994 and 2003. The last one he was stopped by Javier Jauregui in the 11th round. After that point, most had completely written off Leavander as a title contender and labeled him as a shot, used up boxer. Johnson was not deterred.
He went back to the gym, kept his composure and continued his career. In early 2005, then IBF champion Julio Diaz was stripped of his belt for agreeing to fight Jose Luis Castillo. In June of this year, Leavander Johnson fought Stefano Zoff for the vacant IBF Lightweight belt; his fourth shot at a major title. This time Johnson came through.
After four attempts, Leavander Johnson won the IBF Lightweight championship when he knocked out Zoff in the 7th. He did this at the age of 35 when most had tabbed him as a has-been. Eager to defend his new belt, Leavander is set to take on former world champion Jesus Chavez next. That fight will be on the Barrera vs. Peden PPV card and take place on September 17th.
BW: How did you get started in boxing?
I followed in my brother’s footsteps. My brothers used to box.
BW: How many amateur fights did you have?
About a hundred and thirty.
BW: How important was it to have that extensive amateur background?
You definitely need amateur experience to take you over as a pro.
BW: When you were coming up as a pro in the early 90’s you were a pretty highly touted prospect. What do you remember about those days?
I remember that I had everybody running and ducking from me! My biggest one was when I knocked out Sharmba Mitchell.
BW: That was the biggest win over your career to that point. How did it feel to make your presence known as a championship caliber boxer?
It felt good. I was excited and I am still excited now, to this day. I am just speechless on everything that I have done, what I have been through, and where I am at now.
BW: Later that year you got your first world title shot against Miguel Angel Gonzalez and lost. Do you think that fight was too much too soon for you because you were still young and relatively inexperienced?
No. If you take a look and watch that fight you’ll see that they stopped that fight too soon. I got robbed because I was beating that boy up. It was his hometown so that played a part. They should not have stopped the fight, but hey, it went that way so I just kept at it.
BW: Talk about your loss in your second world title shot in 1996 to Orzubek Nazarov?
That was just fighting the wrong game plan you know. I was knocking everybody out in the lightweight division whereas I wasn’t respecting the champions. When I fought the champions I did not give them any respect and it showed up.
BW: You were out of the ring for two years after that. What did you do in those two years off?
I didn’t take two years off really. What it really was is that I had a clause with Don King that was holding me back. Then I finally got my release from Don so that I could finally start my career again.
BW: In your first fight back after that you fought Dominick Monaco and won by knockout, but later it was changed to a no contest. Why was that?
I don’t remember really. I don’t even remember that fight .
BW: What about the fight with Michael Clark when you lost a 4 round technical decision in 2001?
Oh yeah I remember Michael Clark. He took a dive on me. I was cut in that fight, he wasn’t even cut. The doctor said that I could go on in the fight. When we were getting ready to go at it again his corner told him to take a knee because he was leading after 3 or 4 rounds because he knew that I was getting ready to knock him out.
BW: How disappointing is it when something like that happens?
It was disappointing because I was moving up the ladder. It was a crucial fight and he took my WBC Continental Americas title. But after that you have to stay strong, stay focused. I stayed in the gym and wanted to become World Champion and I overcame with tenacity and become world champ.
BW: In 2002 you fought Emanuel Augustus to a draw. What was that fight like for you?
That was a great fight, exciting fight; one which everyone over there in Arizona said that I won afterwards. I was a later fighter at the time. They were really pushing for him to beat me, bringing him down from 140 to lightweight, but I am a tough fighter and I love the game.
BW: You earned your third world title shot in 2003 against Javier Jauregui. What are your thoughts on that one?
It was a tough fight fighting Javier. He dropped me in the 10th I think it was, but he couldn’t get me out of there. Then in the 11th round with just two seconds left to go in the 11th round they just stopped the fight. I don’t understand that, but hey, the judges see it their way, the referee sees it another way. It was a hard loss for me and I wanted that rematch because I knew he couldn’t beat me. They wouldn’t take it though so I just kept in the gym and went around him.
BW: In all three of your losses in world title fights you were in the fight, but came up short. Do you think that the experience has made you into a better fighter?
Of course, because all of that made me stronger. And you know that the fights that I lost, none of them wanted to give me a rematch. So that tells you something right there.
BW: Last year you defeated Stefano Zoff for the IBF Lightweight Championship. How were you able to pull through and finally win that world title?
A lot of focus, dedication, and working hard in the gym.
BW: Did it make it sweeter having been there before and not coming home with the belt?
You could say that, but my main concern was thanking God. Staying in the gym and staying focused is what got me there.
BW: Are you as motivated and confident now as you have ever been?
Yes, I mean I have always put myself out as the best lightweight out there. What I look at and seeing the fighters that they are showing on TV and I think to myself, “Ah, that’s nothing compared to what I got.” And the world has not seen the best of Leavander yet.
BW: You have been at Lightweight your whole career without having to move up as you got older. Is that a testament to your good training habits?
Yes, that is just staying focused like I said and working hard in the gym. It is not like I take a long time out in between fights. At most I take a week off then I am back in the gym.
BW: What is the biggest difference between the Leavander Johnson of the early 90’s and the Leavander Johnson of today?
I am wiser. I fight smarter. I know that I don’t have to bang with these guys because I can get them out of there by boxing and then take them out in the late rounds. They are not going to take the punishment that I am dishing out if I do that.
BW: Next up for you is Jesus Chavez. Do you have different mindset going in there now because you are the champion instead of the challenger?
Oh yeah, I don’t have to go looking for no title now and coming to take it to him. If he wants my title he is going to have to come to me. That way I can drown him and take him out in the deep water rounds and punish him.
BW: What do you think of Chavez as a fighter?
He is a good fighter. I don’t put anything past him because I know he is probably hungry, but I am the best out there right now. I just won my title and I ain’t letting nobody take it!
BW: He is moving up from junior lightweight to lightweight, do you think the weight will make any difference in your strategy?
Well he might have a struggle, but I am not sure. I don’t think he would be taking on as strong and as big of a lightweight as me if he was struggling, but I don’t think he will be able to take my punch either.
BW: Jesus Chavez is a come forward fighter. I know you have faced that many times in your career but do you enjoy is when someone comes at you or do you like being the aggressor?
I love a person that comes to me because it makes them knock themselves out running into shots.
BW: Are you looking to make as much money before you retire right now or are you looking to establish your legacy?
Both. I am looking for the money and the legacy. They go hand in hand.
BW: What is Leavander Johnson like outside of the ring?
I like to fish and play other sports. I like to stay active. You know, interact with the young kids and the pals. That’s what I like to do.
RIP