Kirk Johnson


Kirk Cyron Johnson 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.

Highlights

, Bayamon, Puerto Rico, August 1989:
Trofeo Italia, Mestre, Venice, Italy, March 1991:
World Championships, Sydney, Australia, November 1991:
Box-Am Tournament, Badalona, Spain, February 1992:
North & Central American Olympic Qualifications, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, April 1992:
Summer Olympics, Barcelona, Spain, July–August 1992:
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. 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 Maskayev, 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 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, 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. It is awarded annually to a student from North Preston. Since 2003, 16 students have received awards.

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
41Win37–2–1 Douglas RobertsonTKO1, 1:45Apr 29, 2010 Motor Speedway, Fort Worth, Texas, U.S.
4036–2–1 Javier MoraTKO7, 1:53Mar 3, 2006 Pechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula, California, U.S.Originally a TKO win for Mora, later ruled an NC after an incorrect referee call
39Win36–2–1 Yanqui Díaz5, 3:00Jun 9, 2005 Pechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula, California, U.S.Unanimous TD after Díaz was cut from an accidental head clash
38Win35–2–1 Gilbert Martinez8, 3:00Jul 8, 2004 Pechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula, California, U.S.
37Loss34–2–1 Vitali KlitschkoTKO2, 2:54Dec 6, 2003 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
36Win34–1–1 Lou SavareseTKO4, 1:52Mar 15, 2003 Club Life, Dallas, Texas, U.S.Won WBO Inter-Continental heavyweight title
35Win33–1–1 Jeremy BatesKO2, 2:59Dec 7, 2002 Mandalay Bay Events Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
34Loss32–1–1 John Ruiz10, 2:17Jul 27, 2002 Mandalay Bay Events Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.For WBA heavyweight title;
Johnson disqualified for repeated low blows
33Win32–0–1 Larry DonaldUD12Jul 7, 2001 KeySpan Park, New York City, New York, U.S.
32Win31–0–1 Derrick BanksKO1, 1:32Apr 28, 2001 Civic Auditorium, LaPorte, Indiana, U.S.
31Win30–0–1 Oleg MaskayevKO4, 0:51Oct 7, 2000 Mohegan Sun Arena, Montville, Connecticut, U.S.Won PABA heavyweight title
30Win29–0–1 Marcus JohnsonTKO2, 2:00Jan 27, 2000 Hammerstein Ballroom, New York City, New York, U.S.
29Win28–0–1 Rodolfo MarinKO1, 2:05Oct 7, 1999 Soaring Eagle Casino, Mount Pleasant, Michigan, U.S.
28Win27–0–1 Al ColeUD10Mar 20, 1999 Emerald Queen Casino, Tacoma, Washington, U.S.
27Draw26–0–1 Al Cole10Dec 8, 1998 Roseland Ballroom, New York City, New York, U.S.
26Win26–0 Levi BillupsUD10Aug 6, 1998 Coeur d'Alene Casino, Worley, Idaho, U.S.
25Win25–0 Eric CurryTKO1, 1:37May 9, 1998 Etess Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
24Win24–0 Rocky PepeliTKO1 Apr 2, 1998 Erie Community College, Williamsville, New York, U.S.
23Win23–0 Louis MonacoTKO7, 2:58Jul 12, 1997 Grand Casino, Biloxi, Mississippi, U.S.
22Win22–0 Everton DavisKO8, 2:16Mar 11, 1997 Casino Magic, Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, U.S.
21Win21–0 Terry McGroomTKO8, 3:00Nov 16, 1996 Bally's Park Place, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
20Win20–0 Danell NicholsonUD10Aug 23, 1996 Bally's Park Place, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
19Win19–0 Darren HaydenTKO1, 1:44Jun 12, 1996 Trump World's Fair, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
18Win18–0 Mike DixonTKO1 Mar 7, 1996 Shaw Conference Centre, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
17Win17–0 Art BaylissTKO1, 1:39Jan 25, 1996 International Plaza Hotel, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
16Win16–0 Bradley Rone8Dec 21, 1995 Isle of Capri Casino, Bossier City, Louisiana, U.S.
15Win15–0 Nathaniel FitchUD8Jul 7, 1995 Civic Center, Bossier City, Louisiana, U.S.
14Win14–0 Matt GreenKO1, 1:18May 3, 1995 69th Regiment Armory, New York City, New York, U.S.
13Win13–0 Ron GulletteKO1 Mar 29, 1995 69th Regiment Armory, New York City, New York, U.S.
12Win12–0 Marion WilsonUD8Feb 3, 1995 Fernwood Resort, Bushkill, Pennsylvania, U.S.
11Win11–0 Tyrone EvansKO8, 1:43Nov 5, 1994 MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
10Win10–0 Keith McMurrayKO3 Oct 12, 1994 The Pit, Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S.
9Win9–0 George O'MaraKO1 Sep 9, 1994 Grand Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
8Win8–0 Ross PurittyUD6May 5, 1994 Grand Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
7Win7–0 Dave FiddlerTKO2 Feb 17, 1994 Convention Centre, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
6Win6–0 Kelvin HaydenKO1, 2:07Dec 16, 1993 Foxwoods Resort Casino, Ledyard, Connecticut, U.S.
5Win5–0 Willie JohnsonKO3 Oct 27, 1993 Bally's Park Place, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
4Win4–0 Bryant Smith6Oct 6, 1993 Broadway by the Bay Theater, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
3Win3–0 Ed DonaldsonKO5 Aug 30, 1993 Kemper Arena, Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.
2Win2–0 Earl Talley1, 2:05Jun 7, 1993 Thomas & Mack Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
1Win1–0 Andre Smiley3, 2:47Apr 4, 1993 The Aladdin, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.