Leavander Johnson boxer

Leavander Johnson boxer
bouts
42
won
34
lost
5
draw
2
Status
inactive
Division
lightweight
Debut
1989-02-14
Height
5′ 9″/175cm
Reach
70″/178cm
Age
35
Born
1969-12-24
Death
2005-09-22
Nationality
USA

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Leavander Johnson (December 24, 1969 – September 22, 2005) was an American lightweight boxer from Atlantic City, New Jersey, who once held the International Boxing Federation version of the world title. He won the title on June 17, 2005, against the Italian fighter Stefano Zoff, winning after the referee stopped the fight in the seventh round. Johnson lost his first IBF title defense. After walking out of the ring following that fight, he collapsed in the locker room and died of brain injuries several days later.Johnson made his debut as a professional boxer in 1989 following a successful amateur career, during which he fought in over 130 contests. As a professional he quickly built on his reputation as a top prospect by remaining undefeated after his first 22 contests (one of which was drawn). His next fight was against another highly rated youngster, Sharmba Mitchell (who was also undefeated as a professional). Johnson won the fight, earning himself his first world title shot, by knocking his opponent out in the eighth round. The world title fight came on August 6, 1994 against Miguel Ángel González for the WBC Lightweight crown. The fight, which was fought in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, ended with Johnson suffering his first loss as a professional, the fight being stopped in the eighth roundJohnson got his second world title shot in May 1997, this time challenging Orzubek Nazarov for the WBA version of the lightweight world title. Johnson's challenge once again proved unsuccessful as the fight was stopped in the seventh round for his second loss. He did not fight in another world championship fight for six and a half years after this, during which time he lost once more after he was disqualified for headbutting Michael Clark during a contest in Atlantic City. After losing to Javier Jauregui in a fight for the vacant IBF world title in November 2003, he only fought once in the eighteen months after before getting another shot at the IBF crown, against Zoff. Johnson won the fight, in what proved to be the highlight of his career.Johnson defended his title for the first time on September 17, 2005, against Mexican fighter Jesús Chávez. The fight was stopped early in the 11th round after Johnson received a barrage of punches from his opponent. Despite being able to leave the ring under his own momentum, he collapsed in his dressing room shortly afterwards. He was rushed to the hospital and had emergency surgery to correct a subdural hematoma (swelling and bleeding on the brain). Following the surgery, Johnson was placed in a drug-induced coma. Despite initial fears that he would not survive the night even after the surgery, he survived into the next week and was showing some early signs of improvement, but still remained in critical condition. However, his condition stopped improving and on September 22, 2005, it was decided to discontinue efforts to artificially prolong his life. He was pronounced dead at 4:23 p.m. PDT surrounded by his family.Johnson's career record was 34 wins (26 by KO), 5 losses, 2 draws, and 1 no contest.

Date Opponent Last Opponents' Results Place Result
2005-09-17 Jesus Chavez WWWWLW MGM Grand, Las Vegas LOST
Technical knockout
2005-06-17 Stefano Zoff LWWWWW PalaLido, Milan WIN
Technical knockout
2004-03-27 Roque Cassiani LLDLLL Alltel Arena, Little Rock WIN
Unanimous decision
2003-11-22 Javier Jauregui WLDWWW Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles LOST
Technical knockout
2002-10-25 Julian Wheeler LLWDWW Foxwoods Resort, Mashantucket WIN
Majority decision
2002-06-07 Emanuel Augustus WWLLWW Rawhide Arena, Scottsdale DRAW
Split-decision
2002-02-22 Jesus Zatarin DLDLLD The Roxy, Boston WIN
Unanimous decision
2001-06-30 Michael Clark WWWWLW Trump Taj Mahal, Atlantic City LOST
2001-03-31 Ray Minus WWWWWW Ballys Park Place Hotel Casino, Atlantic City WIN
Technical knockout
2000-12-08 Sean Fletcher WWWLLW Ballys Park Place Hotel Casino, Atlantic City WIN
Technical knockout
2000-07-15 Larry O'Shields WLDLLW Grand Casino, Biloxi WIN
Technical knockout
2000-04-01 Juan Polo Perez LLWWWD Ballys Park Place Hotel Casino, Atlantic City WIN
Technical knockout
1999-07-24 Dominick Monaco LLLLLL Shore Sports Arena, South Toms River NC
1997-05-10 Orzubek Nazarov WWWWWW Convention Center, Coconut Grove LOST
Technical knockout
1996-05-18 Jose Luis Madrid LWLLLL Mirage Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas WIN
Technical knockout
1996-02-10 Jose Manjarrez LLDWWL MGM Grand, Las Vegas WIN
Unanimous decision
1996-01-13 Francisco Valdez LWLWLL Jai Alai Fronton, Miami WIN
Technical knockout
1995-07-29 Fabian Hector Tejeda WWWWLW United Center, Chicago WIN
Technical knockout
1994-08-06 Miguel Angel Gonzalez WWWWWW Plaza de Toros, Ciudad Juarez LOST
Technical knockout
1994-03-18 Sharmba Mitchell WWWWWW MGM Grand, Las Vegas WIN
KO
1994-02-19 Clifford Hicks LLLLLL Coliseum, Charlotte WIN
Technical knockout
1993-12-15 Mike Moreno LLLLLW Aladdin Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas WIN
Corner retirement
1993-09-10 Bobby Brewer LLWLWL Alamodome, San Antonio WIN
Technical knockout
1993-04-23 Rafael Meran LLWWLL The Pyramid, Memphis WIN
KO
1992-11-07 Frankie Mitchell LWWWWL Caesars Tahoe, Stateline WIN
Technical knockout
1992-06-26 Floyd Favors WWWLWL Cleveland State Convocation Centre, Cleveland WIN
KO
1992-02-08 Anthony Suggs LWWWWW Trump Taj Mahal, Atlantic City WIN
Technical knockout
1991-09-25 Edwin Ruiz WLWLLD Waterloo Village, Stanhope WIN
Technical knockout
1991-08-02 Greg Cadiz LLLLWD Quality Inn Hotel, Newark WIN
Technical knockout
1991-05-31 Pedro Vizcaino LLLLLL Kerhonkson WIN
Technical knockout
1991-04-20 Robert Hightower WWWWLW Caesars Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City WIN
Technical knockout
1991-01-19 Luis Castillo LLWLLL Convention Center, Atlantic City WIN
Technical knockout
1990-07-24 Johnny Glen Alvarado LWLLLL Trump Plaza Hotel, Atlantic City WIN
Technical knockout
1990-04-28 Cesar Castro LLLWLW Taj Majal Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City WIN
Technical knockout
1990-02-18 Edwin Diaz WWWLWL Resorts International, Atlantic City WIN
Technical knockout
1990-02-01 Joe Wallace WDWW Trump Plaza Hotel, Atlantic City WIN
Unanimous decision
1989-12-19 Angel Gomez WWWWWL Caesars Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City WIN
Unanimous decision
1989-10-20 Alberto Diaz WW Resorts International, Atlantic City WIN
Unanimous decision
1989-09-12 Wilfredo Rivera WWWWWW Showboat Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City DRAW
Points
1989-07-11 Lyndon Walker W Showboat Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City WIN
Unanimous decision
1989-05-09 Joe Brown WLLL Resorts International, Atlantic City WIN
KO
1989-02-14 Jesus Rodriguez debut Showboat Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City WIN
Technical knockout

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