Kirk Johnson
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Kirk Cyron Johnson (born June 29, 1972) is a Canadian former professional boxer who competed from 1993 to 2010, and challenged once for the WBA heavyweight title in 2002.
Early life
Kirk Cyron Johnson was born in North Preston, Nova Scotia, Canada, on June 29, 1972.
Amateur career
Kirk Johnson started boxing at eleven years old. Throughout his early amateur bouts, his trainer was his father, Gary Johnson Sr.[1]
He became the world's best junior heavyweight in August 1989 at just 17 years old.[2] He made history as the first Nova Scotian and second Canadian to claim gold at the Junior World Championships.[3]
At the Canadian intermediate amateur boxing championships in December 1989, Johnson captured the title in the heavyweight (91-kilogram) division.[4]
At 18, Johnson defended his junior world title at the October 1990 Junior World Championships in Lima, Peru,[5] where he lost in the final to a Soviet opponent. Moving into the senior ranks that year, he secured the Canadian senior national title. In September 1991, he won another title at the Canadian senior national boxing championships in Saskatoon.[6] As part of Canada's national boxing team, he competed in the 1991 World Amateur Boxing Championships held in Sydney, Australia.
Johnson, while still a young prospect and Olympic team member, spent time at a camp of legendary trainer and manager Lou Duva, and worked with him on and off.[7]
He represented Canada at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona,[8] where he lost in the quarter-finals against eventual silver medallist David Izon of Nigeria.[9]
Highlights
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Script error: No such module "sort". Junior World Championships, Bayamon, Puerto Rico, August 1989:
Script error: No such module "sort". Trofeo Italia, Mestre, Venice, Italy, March 1991:
World Championships, Sydney, Australia, November 1991:
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Script error: No such module "sort". 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:
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His amateur record was 76 wins and 7 losses.
Professional career
The Olympic quarterfinalist had his first professional bout on April 24, 1993, against Andre Smiley in Las Vegas. He won by TKO in the third round.[10] Early in his professional development, Johnson trained in Fort Worth, Texas, with ex-world champions Curtis Cokes and Donald Curry, while being co-managed by Ken Lilien and Chris Seeger.[1]
He fought Tyrone Evans on the Michael Moorer vs. George Foreman card on November 5, 1994, in Las Vegas.[7]
By the late 1990s, he was managed by boxing promoter and manager Cedric Kushner.[7] He began training under George Benton around 1997.[11] Johnson, then an undefeated prospect, fought Al Cole to a ten-round draw in December 1998.[12] Three months after their first meeting, Kirk Johnson, with Teddy Atlas in his corner, outpointed Al Cole by unanimous decision in March 1999. When Johnson and Atlas parted ways, he reconnected with Curtis Cokes, a Hall of Famer and former welterweight champion who had guided him early on.[11]
On October 7, 2000, Kirk Johnson stopped Oleg Maskaev, who later became WBC heavyweight champion, with a fourth-round knockout. He captured the PABA Heavyweight Title.[13]
After defeating Larry Donald on July 7, 2001, Kirk Johnson rose to 32-0-1 and became the WBA's no. 1 contender and the mandatory title challenger.[14]
His contract with Kushner had expired. He joined Dino Duva's promotion, Duva Boxing, in April 2002, signing a $1.1 million deal after Duva outbid numerous promoters.[15]
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 trailing on all of the judges' scorecards. It marked his first defeat in his professional career.[16] He 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 (both Ruiz and Cortez are of Puerto Rican descent).[17] Though many boxing commentators agreed that the disqualification was unwarranted, the appeal was ultimately denied by the WBA.
He resurrected his career on March 15, 2003, scoring a fourth-round knockout over Lou Savarese in Dallas, Texas.[18] The win secured him the WBO Inter-Continental Heavyweight Title.[19] Johnson, then ranked eighth in the world, was set to meet champion Lennox Lewis on June 21, 2003, at the Staples Centre, but the fight between the Canadian Olympians never happened.[18] Johnson withdrew from the fight on June 6, 2003, after tearing a chest muscle while sparring in his Fort Worth training camp.[20]
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.[21] He stepped into the ring at a career-high 260 pounds.[22]
Comeback
After the Klitschko fight, he 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.[23] He lost his next bout (later changed to a technical decision) against Californian Javier Mora on March 3, 2006. During the seventh round, Mora appeared to have accidentally stepped on Johnson's foot, causing Johnson to dislocate his right knee.[24] This decision was subsequently appealed, and the result changed to a no decision.
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.[25]
Johnson finished his career with a record of 37–2–1 (27 KOs), with one no contest.[23]
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,[26] 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.[27] It is awarded annually to a student from North Preston. Since 2003, 16 students have received awards.[citation needed]
Professional boxing record
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 41 | Win | 37–2–1 (1) | Template:Flagicon Douglas Robertson | TKO | 1 (4), 1:45 | Apr 29, 2010 | Template:Flagicon Motor Speedway, Fort Worth, Texas, U.S. | |
| 40 | NC | 36–2–1 (1) | Template:Flagicon Javier Mora | TKO | 7 (10), 1:53 | Mar 3, 2006 | Template:Flagicon Pechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula, California, U.S. | Originally a TKO win for Mora, later ruled an NC after an incorrect referee call |
| 39 | Win | 36–2–1 | Template:Flagicon Yanqui Díaz | TD | 5 (10), 3:00 | Jun 9, 2005 | Template:Flagicon Pechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula, California, U.S. | Unanimous TD after Díaz was cut from an accidental head clash |
| 38 | Win | 35–2–1 | Template:Flagicon Gilbert Martinez | RTD | 8 (10), 3:00 | Jul 8, 2004 | Template:Flagicon Pechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula, California, U.S. | |
| 37 | Loss | 34–2–1 | Template:Flagicon Vitali Klitschko | TKO | 2 (12), 2:54 | Dec 6, 2003 | Template:Flagicon Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 36 | Win | 34–1–1 | Template:Flagicon Lou Savarese | TKO | 4 (12), 1:52 | Mar 15, 2003 | Template:Flagicon Club Life, Dallas, Texas, U.S. | Won WBO Inter-Continental heavyweight title |
| 35 | Win | 33–1–1 | Template:Flagicon Jeremy Bates | KO | 2 (8), 2:59 | Dec 7, 2002 | Template:Flagicon Mandalay Bay Events Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 34 | Loss | 32–1–1 | Template:Flagicon John Ruiz | DQ | 10 (12), 2:17 | Jul 27, 2002 | Template:Flagicon Mandalay Bay Events Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | For WBA heavyweight title; Johnson disqualified for repeated low blows |
| 33 | Win | 32–0–1 | Template:Flagicon Larry Donald | UD | 12 | Jul 7, 2001 | Template:Flagicon KeySpan Park, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 32 | Win | 31–0–1 | Template:Flagicon Derrick Banks | KO | 1 (10), 1:32 | Apr 28, 2001 | Template:Flagicon Civic Auditorium, LaPorte, Indiana, U.S. | |
| 31 | Win | 30–0–1 | Template:Flagicon Oleg Maskaev | KO | 4 (12), 0:51 | Oct 7, 2000 | Template:Flagicon Mohegan Sun Arena, Montville, Connecticut, U.S. | Won PABA heavyweight title |
| 30 | Win | 29–0–1 | Template:Flagicon Marcus Johnson | TKO | 2 (10), 2:00 | Jan 27, 2000 | Template:Flagicon Hammerstein Ballroom, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 29 | Win | 28–0–1 | Template:Flagicon Rodolfo Marin | KO | 1 (10), 2:05 | Oct 7, 1999 | Template:Flagicon Soaring Eagle Casino, Mount Pleasant, Michigan, U.S. | |
| 28 | Win | 27–0–1 | Template:Flagicon Al Cole | UD | 10 | Mar 20, 1999 | Template:Flagicon Emerald Queen Casino, Tacoma, Washington, U.S. | |
| 27 | Draw | 26–0–1 | Template:Flagicon Al Cole | MD | 10 | Dec 8, 1998 | Template:Flagicon Roseland Ballroom, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 26 | Win | 26–0 | Template:Flagicon Levi Billups | UD | 10 | Aug 6, 1998 | Template:Flagicon Coeur d'Alene Casino, Worley, Idaho, U.S. | |
| 25 | Win | 25–0 | Template:Flagicon Eric Curry | TKO | 1 (10), 1:37 | May 9, 1998 | Template:Flagicon Etess Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 24 | Win | 24–0 | Template:Flagicon Rocky Pepeli | TKO | 1 (10) | Apr 2, 1998 | Template:Flagicon Erie Community College, Williamsville, New York, U.S. | |
| 23 | Win | 23–0 | Template:Flagicon Louis Monaco | TKO | 7 (10), 2:58 | Jul 12, 1997 | Template:Flagicon Grand Casino, Biloxi, Mississippi, U.S. | |
| 22 | Win | 22–0 | Template:Flagicon Everton Davis | KO | 8 (10), 2:16 | Mar 11, 1997 | Template:Flagicon Casino Magic, Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, U.S. | |
| 21 | Win | 21–0 | Template:Flagicon Terry McGroom | TKO | 8 (10), 3:00 | Nov 16, 1996 | Template:Flagicon Bally's Park Place, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 20 | Win | 20–0 | Template:Flagicon Danell Nicholson | UD | 10 | Aug 23, 1996 | Template:Flagicon Bally's Park Place, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 19 | Win | 19–0 | Template:Flagicon Darren Hayden | TKO | 1 (10), 1:44 | Jun 12, 1996 | Template:Flagicon Trump World's Fair, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 18 | Win | 18–0 | Template:Flagicon Mike Dixon | TKO | 1 (8) | Mar 7, 1996 | Template:Flagicon Edmonton Convention Centre, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada | |
| 17 | Win | 17–0 | Template:Flagicon Art Bayliss | TKO | 1 (8), 1:39 | Jan 25, 1996 | Template:Flagicon International Plaza Hotel, Toronto, Ontario, Canada | |
| 16 | Win | 16–0 | Template:Flagicon Bradley Rone | PTS | 8 | Dec 21, 1995 | Template:Flagicon Isle of Capri Casino, Bossier City, Louisiana, U.S. | |
| 15 | Win | 15–0 | Template:Flagicon Nathaniel Fitch | UD | 8 | Jul 7, 1995 | Template:Flagicon Civic Center, Bossier City, Louisiana, U.S. | |
| 14 | Win | 14–0 | Template:Flagicon Matt Green | KO | 1 (8), 1:18 | May 3, 1995 | Template:Flagicon 69th Regiment Armory, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 13 | Win | 13–0 | Template:Flagicon Ron Gullette | KO | 1 (8) | Mar 29, 1995 | Template:Flagicon 69th Regiment Armory, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 12 | Win | 12–0 | Template:Flagicon Marion Wilson | UD | 8 | Feb 3, 1995 | Template:Flagicon Fernwood Resort, Bushkill, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 11 | Win | 11–0 | Template:Flagicon Tyrone Evans | KO | 8 (8), 1:43 | Nov 5, 1994 | Template:Flagicon MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 10 | Win | 10–0 | Template:Flagicon Keith McMurray | KO | 3 (10) | Oct 12, 1994 | Template:Flagicon The Pit, Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S. | |
| 9 | Win | 9–0 | Template:Flagicon George O'Mara | KO | 1 (8) | Sep 9, 1994 | Template:Flagicon Grand Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S. | |
| 8 | Win | 8–0 | Template:Flagicon Ross Puritty | UD | 6 | May 5, 1994 | Template:Flagicon Grand Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S. | |
| 7 | Win | 7–0 | Template:Flagicon Dave Fiddler | TKO | 2 (6) | Feb 17, 1994 | Template:Flagicon Edmonton Convention Centre, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada | |
| 6 | Win | 6–0 | Template:Flagicon Kelvin Hayden | KO | 1 (6), 2:07 | Dec 16, 1993 | Template:Flagicon Foxwoods Resort Casino, Ledyard, Connecticut, U.S. | |
| 5 | Win | 5–0 | Template:Flagicon Willie Johnson | KO | 3 (6) | Oct 27, 1993 | Template:Flagicon Bally's Park Place, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 4 | Win | 4–0 | Template:Flagicon Bryant Smith | UD | 6 | Oct 6, 1993 | Template:Flagicon Broadway by the Bay Theater, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 3 | Win | 3–0 | Template:Flagicon Ed Donaldson | KO | 5 (6) | Aug 30, 1993 | Template:Flagicon Kemper Arena, Kansas City, Missouri, U.S. | |
| 2 | Win | 2–0 | Template:Flagicon Earl Talley | KO | 1 (4), 2:05 | Jun 7, 1993 | Template:Flagicon Thomas & Mack Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 1 | Win | 1–0 | Template:Flagicon Andre Smiley | TKO | 3 (4), 2:47 | Apr 4, 1993 | Template:Flagicon The Aladdin, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. |
Awards and recognitions
- 1989 Viscount Alexander Award (for Outstanding Junior Male Athlete of the Year)[28]
- 1990 Harry Jerome Award (for Outstanding Athletic Performance)[29]
- 1990 Nova Scotia Male Athlete of the Year
- 2024 Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame[30]
References
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- ^ a b Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."This Kirk is down to earth". Edmonton Journal. March 6, 1996. p. 28. Retrieved 2025-09-16.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."He fought to be champion of the world. But battles against ..." thestar.com. Retrieved 2025-09-13.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Going For Gold". Daily Gleaner. August 29, 1989. p. 37. Retrieved 2025-09-16.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."N.B. intermediate boxers capture two silver medals". Telegraph-Journal. December 11, 1989. p. 13. Retrieved 2025-09-16.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Johnson planning appeal". The Toronto Star. August 18, 1990. p. 16. Retrieved 2025-09-16.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Johnson brothers win Canadian boxing titles". Waterloo Region Record. September 23, 1991. p. 19. Retrieved 2025-09-16.
- ^ a b c Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Undefeated Johnson gets right to the point". lasvegassun.com. Retrieved 2025-09-13.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Kirk Johnson - Team Canada - Canadian Olympic Committee". olympic.ca. Retrieved 2025-09-13.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."The Reluctant Tough Guy". National Post. Nov 25, 2000. p. 218. Retrieved 2025-09-16.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Kirk Johnson vs Andre Smiley". boxrec.com. Retrieved 2025-09-13.
- ^ a b Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."The Reluctant Tough Guy". National Post. Nov 25, 2000. p. 221. Retrieved 2025-09-16.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Kirk Johnson vs. Al Cole (1st meeting)". boxrec.com. Retrieved 2025-09-13.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Kirk Johnson vs Oleg Maskaev". boxrec.com. Retrieved 2025-09-13.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Nova Scotia boxer waits for title shot". The Toronto Star. December 22, 2001. p. 9. Retrieved 2025-09-16.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Kirk Johnson To Part Ways With Dino Duva". boxingscene.com. Retrieved 2025-09-13.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Kirk Johnson confident before heavyweight eliminator". cbc.ca. Retrieved 2025-09-13.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Johnson planning appeal". Daily Gleaner. July 31, 2002. p. 21. Retrieved 2025-09-16.
- ^ a b Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Kirk Johnson to fight Lennox Lewis?". cbc.ca. Retrieved 2025-09-13.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Kirk Johnson vs Lou Savarese". boxrec.com. Retrieved 2025-09-13.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Boxer's dad angered". The Globe and Mail. June 20, 2003. p. 87. Retrieved 2025-09-16.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Klitschko pummels Johnson". cbc.ca. Retrieved 2025-09-13.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."KIRK PLAYS THE HEAVY AT KLITSCHKO WEIGH-IN". nypost.com. Retrieved 2025-09-13.
- ^ a b Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Kirk Johnson". boxrec.com. Retrieved 2025-09-16.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Aussie Soliman takes down Munoz in sixth round". sandiegouniontribune.com. Retrieved 2025-09-16.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Kirk Johnson vs Douglas Robertson". boxrec.com. Retrieved 2025-09-13.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."KIRK JOHNSON - Complainant" (PDF). humanrights.novascotia.ca. Retrieved 2025-09-13.
- ^ CBC News: Boxer Johnson wins Racism Complaint. December 23, 2003 Retrieved 29 December 2008
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Prix Viscount Alexander Award". National Post. February 22, 1990. p. 75. Retrieved 2025-09-20.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Celebrating an attempt to become radio-active". The Globe and Mail. February 22, 1990. p. 15. Retrieved 2025-09-16.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Cousins Kirk Johnson, Dwayne Provo among this year's inductees into Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame". saltwire.com. Retrieved 2025-09-13.
