Stevie Johnston


Steven Earl Johnston, best known as Stevie Johnston, is a former American professional boxer and a two-time former WBC lightweight champion.

Amateur career

Johnston had a storied amateur career, compiling an amateur record of 260–13. Some of his highlights include:

Professional career

Known as "Lil' But Bad", Johnston turned pro in 1993 and fought for the WBC Lightweight Title against Jean Baptiste Mendy in 1997, winning a close split decision. Johnston defended the title three times before losing the belt to Cesar Bazan in 1998 in a close decision. In 1999 he won a rematch against Bazan in another close decision. He defended the title four times, including a victory over Angel Manfredy, but lost the belt in a loss to José Luis Castillo in 2000 via majority decision. The loss was declared the 2000 Upset of the Year by Ring Magazine, as Castillo was relatively unknown at the time and Johnston was thought to be over the hill. It wasn't until a couple years later that the world would know how good of a fighter Castillo was. Later that year, in an attempt to regain the belt, Johnston rematched Castillo. In a bizarre ending, Johnston was originally declared the winner by Majority decision. Several minutes later it was discovered that Judge Ken Morita's scorecard had been added incorrectly and should have read 114-114, thus making the bout a draw and allowing Castillo to retain his title. This was to be Johnston's last shot at a major title.
He lost his next big fight, a WBC Lightweight Title Eliminator in 2003 to contender Juan Lazcano, a stunning 11th-round TKO loss. Prior to the loss, the durable Johnston had never been stopped. After the loss, Johnston was inactive for more than two years due to injuries suffered in a car accident later that year. "I'm lucky to be alive, never mind fighting," Stevie explained. "I went through the windshield, woke up in the hospital, and ended-up with more than 100-stitches in my face." Johnston came back in 2005 and in 2006 took on former 140 lbs WBA world title holder Vivian Harris and was dominated. Johnston was down twice in the 1st round and once in rounds 4 and 7, losing in a 7th-round TKO. In 2007 he was stopped by Rolando Reyes.
In 2008, Johnston suffered another defeat by way of KO at the hands of a taller and younger Edner Cherry. A left jab followed immediately by a right cross which landed squarely on Johnston's chin and knocked him down with only 30 seconds left in the 10th and final round. Making matters worse, Johnston slammed the back of his head against the canvas on the way down, and was unconscious for several minutes after the count.

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRoundDateLocationNotes
49LossEdner CherryKO10 May 21, 2008The Field House, Camp Lejuene, North Carolina, U.S.
48Win42–5–1Dairo EsalasRTD10Mar 29, 2008Soaring Eagle Casino, Mount Pleasant, Michigan, U.S.
47Loss41–5–1Rolando ReyesRTD10 Oct 12, 2007Coeur d'Alene Casino, Worley, Idaho, U.S.Lost IBA lightweight title
46Win41–4–1Humberto ToledoUD12May 18, 2007Broomfield Event Center, Broomfield, Colorado, U.S.Retained IBA lightweight title
45Win40–4–1Tyron HarrisMD12Jan 26, 2007Destiny's, Orlando, Florida, U.S.Won vacant IBA lightweight title
44Loss39–4–1Vivian HarrisTKO7 Jul 29, 2006Chumash Casino Resort, Santa Ynez, California, U.S.
43Win39–3–1Roberto OrtegaTKO5 Mar 31, 2006Multi Fight Complex, Tampa, Florida, U.S.
42Win38–3–1Steve QuinonezUD12Jan 27, 2006Tropicana Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.Won vacant IBO light welterweight title
41Win37–3–1Volodymyr KhodakovskyyUD10Dec 3, 2005Municipal Coliseum, Saint Petersburg, Florida, U.S.Won vacant NABC light welterweight title
40Win36–3–1James CraytonUD8Oct 15, 2005UCF Arena, Kissimmee, Florida, U.S.
39Loss35–3–1Juan LazcanoTKO11 Sep 13, 2003MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
38Win35–2–1Ever BelenoKO6 Feb 21, 2003Palace Indian Gaming Center, Lemoore, California, U.S.
37Win34–2–1Alejandro GonzálezMD12Apr 20, 2002MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
36Win33–2–1Bradley JensenTKO6 Sep 23, 2001Riviera Casino, Black Hawk, Colorado, U.S.
35Win32–2–1James CraytonTD9 Jun 1, 2001Orleans Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
34Win31–2–1Pedro GarciaUD8May 18, 2001The Hangar, West Wendover, Utah, U.S.
33Draw30–2–1José Luis CastilloMD12Sep 15, 2000Pepsi Center, Denver, Colorado, U.S.For WBC lightweight title
32Loss30–2José Luis CastilloMD12Jun 17, 2000The Bicycle Hotel & Casino, Bell Gardens, California, U.S.Lost WBC lightweight title
31Win30–1Julio AlvarezTKO2 Mar 17, 2000Magness Arena, Denver, Colorado, U.S.Retained WBC lightweight title
30Win29–1Billy SchwerUD12Nov 29, 1999Wembley Arena, Wembley, London, EnglandRetained WBC lightweight title
29Win28–1Angel ManfredyUD12Aug 14, 1999Foxwoods Resort Casino, Ledyard, Connecticut, U.S.Retained WBC lightweight title
28Win27–1Aldo Nazareno RiosUD12Jun 26, 1999Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.Retained WBC lightweight title
27Win26–1César BazánSD12Feb 27, 1999Miccosukee Resort & Gaming, Miami, Florida, U.S.Won WBC lightweight title
26Win25–1Demetrio CeballosTKO6 Nov 20, 1998Orleans Hotel & Casino, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
25Loss24–1César BazánSD12Jun 13, 1998Sun Bowl, El Paso, Texas, U.S.Lost WBC lightweight title
24Win24–0George ScottUD12Feb 28, 1998Ballys Park Place Hotel Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.Retained WBC lightweight title
23Win23–0Saul DuranUD12Sep 12, 1997Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.Retained WBC lightweight title
22Win22–0Hiroyuki SakamotoSD12Jul 26, 1997Arena, Yokohama, Kanagawa, JapanRetained WBC lightweight title
21Win21–0Jean Baptiste MendySD12Mar 1, 1997Halle Georges Carpentier, Paris, FranceWon WBC lightweight title
20Win20–0Jose Luis BaltazarUD10Jan 18, 1997Thomas & Mack Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
19Win19–0Julian RomeroTKO2 May 31, 1996Blaisdell Center Arena, Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S.
18Win18–0Mark FernandezUD12Feb 18, 1996Adam's Mark Hotel, Denver, Colorado, U.S.Retained NABF lightweight title
17Win17–0Jesus RodriguezTKO10 Dec 1, 1995Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, Indio, California, U.S.Retained NABF lightweight title
16Win16–0Paquito OpenoKO7 Aug 18, 1995Ritz Carlton, Rancho Mirage, California, U.S.Retained NABF lightweight title
15Win15–0Howard GrantTKO9 May 2, 1995Arizona Charlie's, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.Won vacant NABF lightweight title
14Win14–0Corey JohnsonKO8 Mar 21, 1995Arizona Charlie's, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
13Win13–0Fred ValeraPTS10Dec 16, 1994Mountaineer Casino Racetrack and Resort, Chester, West Virginia, U.S.
12Win12–0Sharmba MitchellTKO9 Jun 21, 1994MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
11Win11–0Raymond FloresPTS10May 27, 1994Denver, Colorado, U.S.
10Win10–0John JeterPTS6Apr 23, 1994Bristol, Tennessee, U.S.
9Win9–0Merle MunizTKO2 Apr 15, 1994Denver, Colorado, U.S.
8Win8–0Enrique UrsuaTKO4 Mar 30, 1994Denver, Colorado, U.S.
7Win7–0John BryantPTS6Feb 15, 1994Denver, Colorado, U.S.
6Win6–0Chris WallTKO2 Jan 15, 1994Bristol, Tennessee, U.S.
5Win5–0James PageMD8Oct 22, 1993Civic Auditorium, Santa Cruz, California, U.S.
4Win4–0Jay StricklandKO1 Jul 2, 1993Denver, Colorado, U.S.
3Win3–0Nasredin BilamKO2 May 4, 1993McNichols Sports Arena, Denver, Colorado, U.S.
2Win2–0Scott WilliamsKO1 Apr 17, 1993Denver, Colorado, U.S.
1Win1–0Frank CordovaTKO3 Feb 16, 1993McNichols Sports Arena, Denver, Colorado, U.S.