Stevie Johnston
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Steven Earl Johnston (born September 28, 1972), best known as Stevie Johnston, is an American
professional boxer Professional boxing, or prizefighting, is regulated, sanctioned boxing. Professional boxing bouts are fought for a purse that is divided between the boxers as determined by contract. Most professional bouts are supervised by a regulatory autho ...
and a two-time former WBC
lightweight Lightweight is a weight class in combat sports and rowing. Boxing Professional boxing The lightweight division is over 130 pounds (59 kilograms) and up to 135 pounds (61.2 kilograms) weight class in the sport of boxing. Notable lightweight boxe ...
champion.


Amateur career

Johnston had a storied amateur career, compiling an amateur record of 260–13. Some of his highlights include: * 1989 lost at Lightweight in the United States Championships to
Shane Mosley Shane Mosley (born September 7, 1971), often known by his nickname "Sugar" Shane Mosley, is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1993 to 2016. He held multiple triple champion, world championships in three weight classes, incl ...
* 1990 United States Amateur champion at Light Welterweight * 1990 2nd place at Light Welterweight at the World Championships in Lima, Peru; losing to
Hector Vinent In Greek mythology, Hector (; grc, Ἕκτωρ, Hektōr, label=none, ) is a character in Homer's Iliad. He was a Trojan prince and the greatest warrior for Troy during the Trojan War. Hector led the Trojans and their allies in the defense o ...
of Cuba. * 1991 Silver medalist at the USA Sports festival beating
Shane Mosley Shane Mosley (born September 7, 1971), often known by his nickname "Sugar" Shane Mosley, is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1993 to 2016. He held multiple triple champion, world championships in three weight classes, incl ...
by decision, and losing to
Terron Millett Terron Millett (born June 28, 1968) is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1993 to 2003, holding the IBF light welterweight title from 1999 to 2000. As an amateur, he was a National Golden Gloves champion. Amateur career Mil ...
by decision * 1991 Light Welterweight Gold Medalist at the Pan-American Games in Havana, Cuba. Results were: ** Mark Leduc (Canada) won on points ** Luiz da Silva (Brazil) won by forfeit ** Edgar Ruiz (Mexico) won on points * 1992 2nd place at Light Welterweight at United States Amateur Championships, losing to
Shane Mosley Shane Mosley (born September 7, 1971), often known by his nickname "Sugar" Shane Mosley, is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1993 to 2016. He held multiple triple champion, world championships in three weight classes, incl ...
. * 1992 finished 2nd at the Olympic Trials in Worcester, MA, attempting to qualify as a Light Welterweight. Results were: ** Mark Lewis won on points **
Terron Millett Terron Millett (born June 28, 1968) is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1993 to 2003, holding the IBF light welterweight title from 1999 to 2000. As an amateur, he was a National Golden Gloves champion. Amateur career Mil ...
won on points **
Vernon Forrest Vernon Forrest (February 12, 1971 – July 25, 2009) was an American professional boxer who competed from 1992 to 2008. He held multiple world championships in two weight classes, including the WBC, IBF, ''Ring'' magazine and lineal welterweig ...
lost on points, Johnston then lost again to Forrest in the Box-Offs in Phoenix.


Professional career

Known as "Lil' But Bad", Johnston turned pro in 1993 and fought for the WBC Lightweight Title against
Jean Baptiste Mendy Jean-Baptiste Mendy (16 March 1963 – 31 August 2020) was a Senegal-born French professional boxer who competed from 1983 to 2000. He was a two-time lightweight world champion, having held the WBC title from 1996 to 1997 and the WBA title from ...
in 1997, winning a close split decision. Johnston defended the title three times before losing the belt to
Cesar Bazan Cesar, César or Cèsar may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media * ''César'' (film), a 1936 film directed by Marcel Pagnol * ''César'' (play), a play by Marcel Pagnolt * César Award, a French film award Places * Cesar, Portugal * Ces ...
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 Angel Manfredy (born October 30, 1974) is a Puerto Rican-American former professional boxer. Angel Manfredy was a popular fighter in the late 1990s. Personal Manfredy, nicknamed ''El Diablo'' (''The Devil'') because of his reckless lifestyl ...
, but lost the belt in a loss to
José Luis Castillo José Luis Castillo (born December 14, 1973) is a Mexican former professional boxer who competed from 1990 to 2014. Generally considered one of the best lightweights of his era, he is a two-time world champion at that weight, having held the WB ...
in 2000 via majority decision. The loss was declared the 2000 Upset of the Year by
Ring Magazine ''The Ring'' (often called ''The Ring'' magazine or ''Ring'' magazine) is an American boxing magazine that was first published in 1922 as a boxing and wrestling magazine. As the sporting legitimacy of professional wrestling came more into questio ...
, 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 (originally 115-114 Johnston) 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 Juan Lazcano (born March 23, 1975) is a Mexican-born American professional boxer currently based in Sacramento, California. He fights at light welterweight and is a former World Boxing Foundation (WBF), NABF and IBA lightweight champion, as we ...
, 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 Ivan Vivian Harris (born June 17, 1978) is a Guyanese former professional boxer who competed from 1997 to 2018. He held the WBA super lightweight title from 2002 to 2005. Amateur career After Harris arrived in the U.S., he began his amateur ...
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 Edner Cherry (born July 21, 1982) is a Bahamian professional boxer and two-time world title challenger. Early years Cherry was born to a Bahamian father and a Haitian mother. He emigrated from The Bahamas to the United States, and resides in Wa ...
. 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


References

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Johnston, Stevie 1972 births Living people Boxers at the 1991 Pan American Games Pan American Games gold medalists for the United States Boxers from Denver Winners of the United States Championship for amateur boxers World boxing champions American male boxers Pan American Games medalists in boxing Light-welterweight boxers Medalists at the 1991 Pan American Games