Kevin Johnson (boxer)


Kevin Vladimirovich 'Johnson' is an American-Russian former professional boxer who competed from 2003 to 2023. He challenged once for the WBC heavyweight title in 2009. He holds notable wins over former world champions Bruce Seldon and Yoan Pablo Hernández.
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Amateur career

Johnson started boxing at the age of 18. He was an unheralded amateur with only a 14–2 record but won the New Jersey Golden Gloves.

Professional career

Early career

He turned pro in 2002. After only three fights he fought an undefeated Olympian in Timur Ibragimov, who already had 13 victories holding him to a draw. Three fights later in 2004 he handily beat well-known clubfighter Robert Wiggins, who was 19–3–1 at the time. After being somewhat inactive in 2005 he had another good win over a clubfighter in Robert Hawkins 2006 against whom he won a shutout decision. He was regarded by some as America's best heavyweight prospect largely to his dominant jab.
On April 18, 2008, at the Buffalo Run Casino in Miami, Oklahoma, Johnson defeated Terry Smith by unanimous decision. Johnson used his long jab and hand speed to maneuver his way around the aggression of Smith. Johnson scored the biggest win of his career with a TKO victory over a badly faded Bruce Seldon in September 2008 in Atlantic City. Johnson defeated Devin Vargas on May 15, 2009. Johnson was declared winner by technical knockout after Vargas's corner threw in the towel early in the sixth round. With the win, Johnson earned a shot at the world title.

WBC heavyweight title challenge

Johnson vs. Klitschko

On 12 December 2009 Johnson took on Vitali Klitschko for the [List of World Boxing Council|WBC world champions|WBC Heavyweight title] in Bern, Switzerland. Klitschko was never troubled by Johnson in front of an 18,000-strong crowd. The previously unbeaten Johnson was unable to land his trademark jab on the 6 ft 7in Vitali, and went on to lose every round of the contest to the Ukrainian.
After the loss to Klitschko, Johnson racked up victories against Charles Davis and Julius Long, before signing up for in Eddie Hearn's Prizefighter tournament in the UK during which he lost in the final against Tor Hamer. Johnson would settle in a gatekeeper role after the tournament, dropping decisions to Tyson Fury, Christian Hammer, Manuel Charr and Derek Chisora, but beating Solomon Haumono.
On May 30, 2015, Johnson lost to undefeated Anthony Joshua by second-round knockout, after having been knocked down twice in the first round. This was Johnson's first stoppage loss. Johnson announced his retirement from boxing after the loss to Joshua.
He returned in 2017 with a points win over journeyman Jamal Woods and later challenged Kubrat Pulev for the WBA Inter-Continental title. Despite being outboxed from the start, he managed to take Pulev 12 rounds. Johnson lost a unanimous decision 120–108, 120–108, and 119–109.
On October 14, 2017, Johnson beat Francesco Pianeta via technical knockout in the seventh round.
After three consecutive losses following his Pianeta victory, Johnson recorded his 33rd and 34th wins against Haris Radmilovic, with a pair of third-round technical knockout victories both coming against Radmilovic in December 2018.
Five consecutive losses later, Johnson scored a seventh-round knockout victory against former IBF and The ''Ring'' cruiserweight champion Yoan Pablo Hernández on August 22, 2020.
The following year, Johnson returned to the ring on June 5, 2021, to face undefeated Agit Kabayel. Johnson suffered the 18th loss of his career, losing a unanimous decision with scores of 118–111, 118–111, and 119–110.
He lost to Mark Petrovskii via majority decision over six rounds in Moscow, Russia, on August 18, 2023.

Personal life

In 2023 he settled in Samara, Russia, and in January 2024 he was granted Russian citizenship. He also declared that he will use 'Vladimirovich' as his patronymic to honor Vladimir Putin.

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
60Loss Mark Petrovskii6Aug 18, 2023Moscow, Russia
59Win36–21–2 Aydin YildirimTKO5, 2:58Apr 8, 2023Rayong Fight Club, Lauingen, Germany
58Draw35–21–2Andre BungaSD8Sep 24, 2022Kickboxen-Team-Xander, Cologne, Germany
57Loss35–21–1Viktor VykhrystPTS8Aug 27, 2022ECB Boxgym, Hamburg, Germany
56Loss35–20–1Ihor ShevadzutskyiPTS8Aug 13, 2022ECB Boxgym, Hamburg, Germany
55Loss35–19–1Ali Eren DemirezenUD8May 28, 2022Die Bucht, Hamburg, Germany
54Loss35–18–1Agit KabayelUD12Jun 5, 2021Seebühne Elbauenpark, Magdeburg, GermanyFor WBA Continental heavyweight title
53Win35–17–1Yoan Pablo HernándezKO7, 2:04Aug 22, 2020Seebühne Elbauenpark, Magdeburg, Germany
52Loss34–17–1Mariusz WachUD10Jun 12, 2020Palac w Konarach, Konary, PolandFor vacant Republic of Poland International heavyweight title
51Loss34–16–1Martin BakoleTKO5, 0:58Oct 19, 2019Utilita Arena, Newcastle, England
50Loss34–15–1Oleksandr ZakhozhyiUD8Oct 11, 2019Palazzohalle, Karlsruhe, Germany
49Loss34–14–1Shigabudin AlievUD10Jul 22, 2019Red Square, Moscow, Russia
48Loss34–13–1Nathan GormanPTS10Mar 23, 2019Leicester Arena, Leicester, England
47Win34–12–1Haris RadmilovićTKO3, 1:12Dec 22, 2018Challenge Club Arena, Offenbach, Germany
46Loss33–12–1Filip HrgovićUD8Dec 8, 2018Dražen Petrović Basketball Hall, Zagreb, Croatia
45Win33–11–1Haris RadmilovićTKO3, 2:17Dec 1, 2018Glaspalast, Dessau, Germany
44Loss32–11–1Daniel Dubois10Oct 6, 2018Leicester Arena, Leicester, England
43Loss32–10–1Andy Ruiz Jr.UD10Jul 7, 2018Save Mart Center, Fresno, California, U.S.
42Loss32–9–1Petar MilasTKO8, 0:45Mar 10, 2018Maritim Berghotel, Braunlage, GermanyLost IBO International heavyweight title
41Win32–8–1Francesco PianetaTKO7, 2:48Oct 14, 2017Ballhausforum, Unterschleißheim, GermanyWon IBO International heavyweight title
40Win31–8–1Engin Solmaz2, 3:00Aug 26, 2017Fitness Club Aiko Steffen, Halberstadt, Germany
39Loss30–8–1Kubrat PulevUD12Apr 28, 2017Arena Armeec, Sofia, BulgariaFor WBA Inter-Continental heavyweight title
38Win30–7–1Terrell Jamal WoodsUD6Mar 11, 2017Metroplex, Little Rock, Arkansas, U.S.
37Loss29–7–1Anthony JoshuaTKO2, 1:22May 30, 2015The O2 Arena, London, EnglandFor WBC International heavyweight title
36Loss29–6–1Manuel CharrUD10Apr 12, 2014Telekom Dome, Bonn, Germany
35Loss29–5–1Derek ChisoraUD12Feb 15, 2014Copper Box Arena, London, EnglandFor WBA and WBO International heavyweight titles
34Loss29–4–1Christian HammerUD10Dec 20, 2013Messehallen, Hamburg, Germany
33Win29–3–1Solomon HaumonoKO10, 2:53Apr 28, 2013Convention and Exhibition Centre, Melbourne, Australia
32Loss28–3–1Tyson FuryUD12Dec 1, 2012Odyssey Arena, Belfast, Northern Ireland
31Loss28–2–1Tor HamerUD3Jun 20, 2012York Hall, London, EnglandPrizefighter 25: heavyweight final
30Win28–1–1Albert Sosnowski3Jun 20, 2012York Hall, London, EnglandPrizefighter 25: heavyweight semi-final
29Win27–1–1Noureddine MeddounTKO1, 2:57Jun 20, 2012York Hall, London, EnglandPrizefighter 25: heavyweight quarter-final
28Win26–1–1Alex LeapaiTKO9, 2:22Apr 1, 2012Doomben Racecourse, Brisbane, AustraliaWon IBF Australasian heavyweight title
27Win25–1–1Harold SconiersTKO1, 2:18Jun 25, 2011Elder Entertainment Center, Decatur, Georgia, U.S.
26Win24–1–1Julius LongUD8Jan 22, 2011The Greenbrier, White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, U.S.
25Win23–1–1Charles DavisKO4, 2:54Oct 29, 2010Blake Hotel, Charlotte, North Carolina, U.S.
24Loss22–1–1Vitali KlitschkoUD12Dec 12, 2009PostFinance Arena, Bern, SwitzerlandFor WBC heavyweight title
23Win22–0–1Devin VargasTKO6, 2:23May 15, 2009Broadway by the Bay, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
22Win21–0–1Matthew GreerTKO3, 2:26Nov 7, 2008Bally's, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
21Win20–0–1Bruce SeldonTKO5, 0:28Sep 5, 2008Bally's, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
20Win19–0–1Terry SmithUD10Apr 18, 2008Buffalo Run Casino, Miami, Oklahoma, U.S.
19Win18–0–1Jermell BarnesUD8Dec 5, 2007Hard Rock Live, Hollywood, Florida, U.S.
18Win17–0–1Andrew GreeleyUD6Nov 9, 2007Paradise Theater, New York City, New York, U.S.
17Win16–0–1Damian WillsUD10Aug 3, 2007Far West Rodeo, Doraville, Georgia, U.S.
16Win15–0–1Ron GuerreroUD8Jun 9, 2007Convention Center, Hartford, Connecticut, U.S.
15Win14–0–1Curtis TaylorKO1 Mar 29, 2007The Plex, North Charleston, South Carolina, U.S.
14Win13–0–1Charles DavisUD10Dec 8, 2006Paradise Theater, New York City, New York, U.S.
13Win12–0–1Michael RhodesUD6Nov 10, 2006Birchwood Manor, Whippany, New Jersey, U.S.
12Win11–0–1Demetrice KingUD6Oct 11, 2006Westchester County Center, White Plains, New York, U.S.
11Win10–0–1Daniel BispoUD10Jun 10, 2006Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
10Win9–0–1Robert HawkinsUD8Mar 31, 2006Mohegan Sun Arena, Montville, Connecticut, U.S.
9Win8–0–1Robert KooserTKO1, 1:16Jan 27, 2006Tropicana Casino & Resort, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
8Win7–0–1William CookUD8Jan 8, 2005Emerald Queen Casino, Tacoma, Washington, U.S.
7Win6–0–1Karl EvansTKO1, 1:31Nov 6, 2004Glendale Arena, Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
6Win5–0–1Robert WigginsUD8Sep 30, 2004Mohegan Sun Arena, Montville, Connecticut, U.S.
5Win4–0–1DeSean HarperTKO4 Jul 28, 2004Orange County Fairgrounds, Middletown, New York, U.S.
4Draw3–0–1Timur IbragimovUD4Jun 17, 2004Harrah's Laughlin, Laughlin, Nevada, U.S.
3Win3–0Elfair McKnight4Jul 13, 2003Cedar Beach, Allentown, Pennsylvania, U.S.
2Win2–0William Bolar1 Apr 24, 2003Days Inn, Allentown, Pennsylvania, U.S.
1Win1–0Stanford Brisbone4, 2:36Feb 13, 2003Days Inn, Allentown, Pennsylvania, U.S.

Exhibition boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
1Win1–0Viacheslav Datsik3Mar 31, 2023Dynamo Volleyball Arena, Moscow, Russia

Viewership

Germany

DateFightBillingViewership NetworkSource
12 December 2009Vitali Klitschko vs. Kevin JohnsonKlitschko Time11,160,000RTL Television
Total viewership11,160,000