Kevin Johnson (boxer)

Kevin Johnson
Born
Kevin Blue Johnson

(1979-09-07) September 7, 1979 (age 45)
Asbury Park, New Jersey, U.S.
Other namesKingpin
Statistics
Weight(s)Heavyweight
Height6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Reach82 in (208 cm)
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights60
Wins36
Wins by KO20
Losses22
Draws2
Medal record
Men's amateur boxing
New Jersey Golden Gloves
Gold medal – first place 2002 New Jersey Heavyweight

Kevin Vladimirovich[1] Johnson (born September 7, 1979) is an American-Russian professional boxer. He has challenged once for the WBC heavyweight title in 2009. He holds notable wins over former world champions Bruce Seldon and Yoan Pablo Hernández.

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.[2]

Professional career

He turned pro in 2002. After only three fights the lanky counterpuncher was thrown in with an undefeated Olympian in Timur Ibragimov, who already had 13 victories. To the great surprise of the audience, Johnson held Ibragimov 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.[3]

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.[4]

On 12 December 2009 Johnson took on Vitali Klitschko for the 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. Johnson injured his shoulder 2 weeks prior to the fight.

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. Johnson would lose 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 Saturday 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.[5]

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.[6]

On October 14, 2017, Johnson beat Francesco Pianeta via TKO in the seventh round.[7]

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.[8]

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.[9]

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.[10]


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.[11]

Professional boxing record

60 fights 36 wins 22 losses
By knockout 20 3
By decision 16 19
Draws 2
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
60 Loss 36–22–2 Mark Petrovskii MD 6 Aug 18, 2023 Moscow, Russia
59 Win 36–21–2 Aydin Yildirim TKO 5 (8), 2:58 Apr 8, 2023 Rayong Fight Club, Lauingen, Germany
58 Draw 35–21–2 Andre Bunga SD 8 Sep 24, 2022 Kickboxen-Team-Xander, Cologne, Germany
57 Loss 35–21–1 Viktor Vykhryst PTS 8 Aug 27, 2022 ECB Boxgym, Hamburg, Germany
56 Loss 35–20–1 Ihor Shevadzutskyi PTS 8 Aug 13, 2022 ECB Boxgym, Hamburg, Germany
55 Loss 35–19–1 Ali Eren Demirezen UD 8 May 28, 2022 Die Bucht, Hamburg, Germany
54 Loss 35–18–1 Agit Kabayel UD 12 Jun 5, 2021 Seebühne Elbauenpark, Magdeburg, Germany For WBA Continental heavyweight title
53 Win 35–17–1 Yoan Pablo Hernández KO 7 (8), 2:04 Aug 22, 2020 Seebühne Elbauenpark, Magdeburg, Germany
52 Loss 34–17–1 Mariusz Wach UD 10 Jun 12, 2020 Palac w Konarach, Konary, Poland For vacant Republic of Poland International heavyweight title
51 Loss 34–16–1 Martin Bakole TKO 5 (8), 0:58 Oct 19, 2019 Utilita Arena, Newcastle, England
50 Loss 34–15–1 Oleksandr Zakhozhyi UD 8 Oct 11, 2019 Palazzohalle, Karlsruhe, Germany
49 Loss 34–14–1 Shigabudin Aliev UD 10 Jul 22, 2019 Red Square, Moscow, Russia
48 Loss 34–13–1 Nathan Gorman PTS 10 Mar 23, 2019 Leicester Arena, Leicester, England
47 Win 34–12–1 Haris Radmilović TKO 3 (8), 1:12 Dec 22, 2018 Challenge Club Arena, Offenbach, Germany
46 Loss 33–12–1 Filip Hrgović UD 8 Dec 8, 2018 Dražen Petrović Basketball Hall, Zagreb, Croatia
45 Win 33–11–1 Haris Radmilović TKO 3 (8), 2:17 Dec 1, 2018 Glaspalast, Dessau, Germany
44 Loss 32–11–1 Daniel Dubois PTS 10 Oct 6, 2018 Leicester Arena, Leicester, England
43 Loss 32–10–1 Andy Ruiz Jr. UD 10 Jul 7, 2018 Save Mart Center, Fresno, California, U.S.
42 Loss 32–9–1 Petar Milas TKO 8 (10), 0:45 Mar 10, 2018 Maritim Berghotel, Braunlage, Germany Lost IBO International heavyweight title
41 Win 32–8–1 Francesco Pianeta TKO 7 (10), 2:48 Oct 14, 2017 Ballhausforum, Unterschleißheim, Germany Won IBO International heavyweight title
40 Win 31–8–1 Engin Solmaz RTD 2 (6), 3:00 Aug 26, 2017 Fitness Club Aiko Steffen, Halberstadt, Germany
39 Loss 30–8–1 Kubrat Pulev UD 12 Apr 28, 2017 Arena Armeec, Sofia, Bulgaria For WBA Inter-Continental heavyweight title
38 Win 30–7–1 Terrell Jamal Woods UD 6 Mar 11, 2017 Metroplex, Little Rock, Arkansas, U.S.
37 Loss 29–7–1 Anthony Joshua TKO 2 (10), 1:22 May 30, 2015 The O2 Arena, London, England For WBC International heavyweight title
36 Loss 29–6–1 Manuel Charr UD 10 Apr 12, 2014 Telekom Dome, Bonn, Germany
35 Loss 29–5–1 Derek Chisora UD 12 Feb 15, 2014 Copper Box Arena, London, England For WBA and WBO International heavyweight titles
34 Loss 29–4–1 Christian Hammer UD 10 Dec 20, 2013 Messehallen, Hamburg, Germany
33 Win 29–3–1 Solomon Haumono KO 10 (12), 2:53 Apr 28, 2013 Convention and Exhibition Centre, Melbourne, Australia
32 Loss 28–3–1 Tyson Fury UD 12 Dec 1, 2012 Odyssey Arena, Belfast, Northern Ireland
31 Loss 28–2–1 Tor Hamer UD 3 Jun 20, 2012 York Hall, London, England Prizefighter 25: heavyweight final
30 Win 28–1–1 Albert Sosnowski SD 3 Jun 20, 2012 York Hall, London, England Prizefighter 25: heavyweight semi-final
29 Win 27–1–1 Noureddine Meddoun TKO 1 (3), 2:57 Jun 20, 2012 York Hall, London, England Prizefighter 25: heavyweight quarter-final
28 Win 26–1–1 Alex Leapai TKO 9 (12), 2:22 Apr 1, 2012 Doomben Racecourse, Brisbane, Australia Won IBF Australasian heavyweight title
27 Win 25–1–1 Harold Sconiers TKO 1 (6), 2:18 Jun 25, 2011 Elder Entertainment Center, Decatur, Georgia, U.S.
26 Win 24–1–1 Julius Long UD 8 Jan 22, 2011 The Greenbrier, White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, U.S.
25 Win 23–1–1 Charles Davis KO 4 (8), 2:54 Oct 29, 2010 Blake Hotel, Charlotte, North Carolina, U.S.
24 Loss 22–1–1 Vitali Klitschko UD 12 Dec 12, 2009 PostFinance Arena, Bern, Switzerland For WBC heavyweight title
23 Win 22–0–1 Devin Vargas TKO 6 (10), 2:23 May 15, 2009 Broadway by the Bay, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
22 Win 21–0–1 Matthew Greer TKO 3 (10), 2:26 Nov 7, 2008 Bally's, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
21 Win 20–0–1 Bruce Seldon TKO 5 (10), 0:28 Sep 5, 2008 Bally's, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
20 Win 19–0–1 Terry Smith UD 10 Apr 18, 2008 Buffalo Run Casino, Miami, Oklahoma, U.S.
19 Win 18–0–1 Jermell Barnes UD 8 Dec 5, 2007 Hard Rock Live, Hollywood, Florida, U.S.
18 Win 17–0–1 Andrew Greeley UD 6 Nov 9, 2007 Paradise Theater, New York City, New York, U.S.
17 Win 16–0–1 Damian Wills UD 10 Aug 3, 2007 Far West Rodeo, Doraville, Georgia, U.S.
16 Win 15–0–1 Ron Guerrero UD 8 Jun 9, 2007 Convention Center, Hartford, Connecticut, U.S.
15 Win 14–0–1 Curtis Taylor KO 1 (6) Mar 29, 2007 The Plex, North Charleston, South Carolina, U.S.
14 Win 13–0–1 Charles Davis UD 10 Dec 8, 2006 Paradise Theater, New York City, New York, U.S.
13 Win 12–0–1 Michael Rhodes UD 6 Nov 10, 2006 Birchwood Manor, Whippany, New Jersey, U.S.
12 Win 11–0–1 Demetrice King UD 6 Oct 11, 2006 Westchester County Center, White Plains, New York, U.S.
11 Win 10–0–1 Daniel Bispo UD 10 Jun 10, 2006 Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
10 Win 9–0–1 Robert Hawkins UD 8 Mar 31, 2006 Mohegan Sun Arena, Montville, Connecticut, U.S.
9 Win 8–0–1 Robert Kooser TKO 1 (6), 1:16 Jan 27, 2006 Tropicana Casino & Resort, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
8 Win 7–0–1 William Cook UD 8 Jan 8, 2005 Emerald Queen Casino, Tacoma, Washington, U.S.
7 Win 6–0–1 Karl Evans TKO 1 (6), 1:31 Nov 6, 2004 Glendale Arena, Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
6 Win 5–0–1 Robert Wiggins UD 8 Sep 30, 2004 Mohegan Sun Arena, Montville, Connecticut, U.S.
5 Win 4–0–1 DeSean Harper TKO 4 (6) Jul 28, 2004 Orange County Fairgrounds, Middletown, New York, U.S.
4 Draw 3–0–1 Timur Ibragimov UD 4 Jun 17, 2004 Harrah's Laughlin, Laughlin, Nevada, U.S.
3 Win 3–0 Elfair McKnight UD 4 Jul 13, 2003 Cedar Beach, Allentown, Pennsylvania, U.S.
2 Win 2–0 William Bolar KO 1 (4) Apr 24, 2003 Days Inn, Allentown, Pennsylvania, U.S.
1 Win 1–0 Stanford Brisbone TKO 4 (4), 2:36 Feb 13, 2003 Days Inn, Allentown, Pennsylvania, U.S.

Exhibition boxing record

1 fight 1 win 0 losses
By decision 1 0
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
1 Win 1–0 Viacheslav Datsik SD 3 Mar 31, 2023 Dynamo Volleyball Arena, Moscow, Russia

Viewership

Germany

Date Fight Billing[12] Viewership (avg.) Network Source(s)
12 December 2009
 Vitali Klitschko vs. Kevin Johnson
Klitschko Time
11,160,000
 RTL Television [13]
Total viewership 11,160,000

References

  1. ^ BoxingScene Staff (2023-08-11). "Kevin Johnson Becomes Russian, Changes Name To Honor Vladimir Putin". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved 2023-08-11.
  2. ^ "Kevin Johnson's secret weapon: His daughter". The Ring. 2009-12-09. Retrieved 2021-06-07.
  3. ^ "Kevin Johnson - Bright Heavyweight Prospect Or Faint Hope? • East Side Boxing • News Archives". 23 April 2008. Retrieved 2021-06-07.
  4. ^ Chen, Howard (May 13, 2009), "Vargas ready for his biggest fight", FOXToledo.com, archived from the original on July 11, 2011
  5. ^ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: 'I'M DONE WITH BOXING' - KEVIN JOHNSON RETIRES AFTER DEVASTATING STOPPAGE DEFEAT TO ANTHONY JOSHUA. YouTube.
  6. ^ "Kubrat Pulev vs. Kevin Johnson - Results ⋆ Boxing News 24". Boxing News 24. 2017-04-28. Retrieved 2021-06-07.
  7. ^ "Kevin Johnson Stops Francesco Pianeta In Germany, Revives Career — Boxing News". www.boxing247.com. 15 October 2017. Retrieved 2021-06-07.
  8. ^ "Haris Radmilović pred meč sa Kevinom Johnsonom: Nikad nisam bio u ovakvoj formi". www.klix.ba (in Croatian). Retrieved 2021-06-07.
  9. ^ Stumberg, Patrick L. (2020-08-24). "Kevin Johnson destroys Yoan Pablo Hernandez in Germany". Bad Left Hook. Retrieved 2021-06-07.
  10. ^ BoxingScene Staff (6 June 2021). "Agit Kabayel Turns Back Kevin Johnson With Unanimous Decision Win". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved 2021-06-07.
  11. ^ "Американец взял отчество Владимирович и получил от Путина паспорт РФ: боксер, дравшийся на Красной площади".
  12. ^ "Vitali Klitschko Fights in the Vault". Eye On The Ring. Retrieved March 11, 2020.
  13. ^ "Bis zu 12,33 Millionen sehen Klitschko-Sieg" (in German). Retrieved 16 May 2020.
Sporting positions
Regional boxing titles
Preceded by IBF Australasian
heavyweight champion
April 1, 2012 – June 2012
Vacated 		Title discontinued
Preceded by IBO International
heavyweight champion
October 14, 2017 – March 10, 2018 		Succeeded by
Petar Milas