Tragic Champions: Leavander Johnson

[BoztheMadman]

This is yet another kind of series from me, about champions who either lost their lives in the ring or were badly damaged from fighting and had to end their career because of that. First off we start with IBF lightweight champion Leavander Johnson. 
 

Born 24 December 1969 in Atlantic City, Leavander Johnson was a 5’9 lightweight who could box and punch and was known under the moniker “Hook”. He became a pro at 19, having his first match in February 1989 and winning it by TKO1. In his fourth fight he experienced his first blemish in a draw against very solid Wilfredo Rivera, a future world title challenger at 147. He then reeled off 19 wins and in the last one defeated future world champion at 140, Sharmba Mitchell, by KO8. Mitchell came in at 31-0, so that was a big victory. He won the NABF title with that and then fought the WBC champion, the excellent Miguel Angel Gonzalez, on 6 August 1994 in Ciudad Juarez in Mexico. He put up a good fight but was beaten up and stopped by TKO8. After winning four more fights, he got to fight the WBA champion, the outstanding Orzubek Nazarov, 10 May 1997 in Miami. Nazarov proved too much in the end and stopped him by TKO7. Johnson got three rounds from one judge prior to that, but was also down three times. 
 

On 31 March 2001, he stopped Ray Minus, a former bantamweight contender from Bahamas, by TKO8 to win the WBC Continental Americas title, which made him eligible to fight for the WBC title. However, he lost it to Michael Clark by technical decision, only 3 months later. Next year in June, he fought “Drunken Master” Emmanuel Augustus and drew against him in a ten rounder. After winning the IBF eliminator against Julian Wheeler by MD in October, on 22 November 2003 he fought for the vacant IBF title against Javier Jauregui, but was stopped by TKO early in round 11 after an even fight. He still didn’t give up and after that title became vacant, he fought again for it against Stefano Zoff of Italy on 17 June 2005 and could finally celebrate after stopping Zoff by TKO7 in his best performance and greatest victory! The fight was even fought in Milano, to add to the triumph. 
 

The tragedy struck in his first defense against the top contender and former super featherweight champion Jesus Chavez. Only 3 months after becoming champion, 17 September, at MGM Grand, Johnson got a beating from a hungry Chavez and was stopped by a flurry in round 11. Having already been stopped so late not that long ago, it obviously became too much for his body. After walking out of the ring, he collapsed in the dressing room and was taken to a hospital. Despite seemingly looking like he would get out of the coma, he stopped making progress and was disconnected on 22 September, dying at the age of 35. 
 

After his death, Nevada State Athletic Commission decided to implement a rule calling for rehydration of boxers in later rounds with sports drinks and more thorough tests before the fights and as a result, no boxer has since died fighting in Las Vegas. His family established a foundation in his name, a non profit organization which works to better the quality of life in certain communities. Leavander Johnson gave it all in the ring and was a boxer who didn’t quit even after several bad losses, finally winning that big belt late in his career. Unfortunately, he took a fight too soon and against a fighter who was the wrong type opponent for him at that stage. He will always be remembered for his love of the sport and his sacrifice so others don’t have to suffer the same fate. May he rest in peace! 
 

[Ledhed1]

More than once, Johnson was rushed back into the ring too soon after his prior fight. He was in some brutal battles. Shame he was so mishandled. Great series, Boz! 👍

[BoztheMadman]

On 11/8/2024 at 4:24 AM, Ledhed1 said:

More than once, Johnson was rushed back into the ring too soon after his prior fight. He was in some brutal battles. Shame he was so mishandled. Great series, Boz! 👍

Thank you very much!🙂 Yes, it is really a shame.