Stevie Johnston

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Stevie Johnston
Born
Steven Earl Johnston

(1972-09-28) September 28, 1972 (age 51)
NationalityAmerican
Other namesLil' But Bad
Statistics
Weight(s)
Height5 ft 4+12 in (164 cm)
Reach68+12 in (174 cm)
StanceSouthpaw
Boxing record
Total fights49
Wins42
Wins by KO18
Losses6
Draws1
Medal record
Men's Boxing
Representing  United States
Junior World Boxing Championships
Silver medal – second place Lima 1990 Light welterweight
Pan American Games
Gold medal – first place Havana 1991 Light welterweight

Steven Earl Johnston (born September 28, 1972), best known as Stevie Johnston, is an American professional boxer and a two-time former WBC lightweight champion.

Amateur career[edit]

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
  • 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 of Cuba.
  • 1991 Silver medalist at the USA Sports festival beating Shane Mosley by decision, and losing to Terron Millett by decision
  • 1991 Light Welterweight Gold Medalist at the Pan-American Games in Havana, Cuba. Results were:
  • 1992 2nd place at Light Welterweight at United States Amateur Championships, losing to Shane Mosley.
  • 1992 finished 2nd at the Olympic Trials in Worcester, MA, attempting to qualify as a Light Welterweight. Results were:

Professional career[edit]

Known as "Lil' But Bad", Johnston turned pro in 1993 and fought for the WBC Lightweight Title against Jean Baptiste Mendy in 1997, winning a close split decision. Johnston defended the title three times before losing the belt to Cesar Bazan 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, but lost the belt in a loss to José Luis Castillo in 2000 via majority decision. The loss was declared the 2000 Upset of the Year by Ring Magazine, as Castillo was relatively unknown at the time and Johnston was thought to be over the hill.[1] 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.[2] 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, 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 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. 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.[3]

Professional boxing record[edit]

49 fights 42 wins 6 losses
By knockout 18 4
By decision 24 2
Draws 1
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round Date Location Notes
49 Loss 42–6–1 Edner Cherry KO 10 (10) May 21, 2008 The Field House, Camp Lejuene, North Carolina, U.S.
48 Win 42–5–1 Dairo Esalas RTD 10 Mar 29, 2008 Soaring Eagle Casino, Mount Pleasant, Michigan, U.S.
47 Loss 41–5–1 Rolando Reyes RTD 10 (12) Oct 12, 2007 Coeur d'Alene Casino, Worley, Idaho, U.S. Lost IBA lightweight title
46 Win 41–4–1 Humberto Toledo UD 12 May 18, 2007 Broomfield Event Center, Broomfield, Colorado, U.S. Retained IBA lightweight title
45 Win 40–4–1 Tyron Harris MD 12 Jan 26, 2007 Destiny's, Orlando, Florida, U.S. Won vacant IBA lightweight title
44 Loss 39–4–1 Vivian Harris TKO 7 (10) Jul 29, 2006 Chumash Casino Resort, Santa Ynez, California, U.S.
43 Win 39–3–1 Roberto Ortega TKO 5 (8) Mar 31, 2006 Multi Fight Complex, Tampa, Florida, U.S.
42 Win 38–3–1 Steve Quinonez UD 12 Jan 27, 2006 Tropicana Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. Won vacant IBO light welterweight title
41 Win 37–3–1 Volodymyr Khodakovskyy UD 10 Dec 3, 2005 Municipal Coliseum, Saint Petersburg, Florida, U.S. Won vacant NABC light welterweight title
40 Win 36–3–1 James Crayton UD 8 Oct 15, 2005 UCF Arena, Kissimmee, Florida, U.S.
39 Loss 35–3–1 Juan Lazcano TKO 11 (12) Sep 13, 2003 MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
38 Win 35–2–1 Ever Beleno KO 6 (12) Feb 21, 2003 Palace Indian Gaming Center, Lemoore, California, U.S.
37 Win 34–2–1 Alejandro González MD 12 Apr 20, 2002 MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
36 Win 33–2–1 Bradley Jensen TKO 6 (10) Sep 23, 2001 Riviera Casino, Black Hawk, Colorado, U.S.
35 Win 32–2–1 James Crayton TD 9 (10) Jun 1, 2001 Orleans Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
34 Win 31–2–1 Pedro Garcia UD 8 May 18, 2001 The Hangar, West Wendover, Utah, U.S.
33 Draw 30–2–1 José Luis Castillo MD 12 Sep 15, 2000 Pepsi Center, Denver, Colorado, U.S. For WBC lightweight title
32 Loss 30–2 José Luis Castillo MD 12 Jun 17, 2000 The Bicycle Hotel & Casino, Bell Gardens, California, U.S. Lost WBC lightweight title
31 Win 30–1 Julio Alvarez TKO 2 (12) Mar 17, 2000 Magness Arena, Denver, Colorado, U.S. Retained WBC lightweight title
30 Win 29–1 Billy Schwer UD 12 Nov 29, 1999 Wembley Arena, Wembley, London, England Retained WBC lightweight title
29 Win 28–1 Angel Manfredy UD 12 Aug 14, 1999 Foxwoods Resort Casino, Ledyard, Connecticut, U.S. Retained WBC lightweight title
28 Win 27–1 Aldo Nazareno Rios UD 12 Jun 26, 1999 Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. Retained WBC lightweight title
27 Win 26–1 César Bazán SD 12 Feb 27, 1999 Miccosukee Resort & Gaming, Miami, Florida, U.S. Won WBC lightweight title
26 Win 25–1 Demetrio Ceballos TKO 6 (10) Nov 20, 1998 Orleans Hotel & Casino, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
25 Loss 24–1 César Bazán SD 12 Jun 13, 1998 Sun Bowl, El Paso, Texas, U.S. Lost WBC lightweight title
24 Win 24–0 George Scott UD 12 Feb 28, 1998 Ballys Park Place Hotel Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. Retained WBC lightweight title
23 Win 23–0 Saul Duran UD 12 Sep 12, 1997 Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. Retained WBC lightweight title
22 Win 22–0 Hiroyuki Sakamoto SD 12 Jul 26, 1997 Arena, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan Retained WBC lightweight title
21 Win 21–0 Jean Baptiste Mendy SD 12 Mar 1, 1997 Halle Georges Carpentier, Paris, France Won WBC lightweight title
20 Win 20–0 Jose Luis Baltazar UD 10 Jan 18, 1997 Thomas & Mack Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
19 Win 19–0 Julian Romero TKO 2 (10) May 31, 1996 Blaisdell Center Arena, Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S.
18 Win 18–0 Mark Fernandez UD 12 Feb 18, 1996 Adam's Mark Hotel, Denver, Colorado, U.S. Retained NABF lightweight title
17 Win 17–0 Jesus Rodriguez TKO 10 (12) Dec 1, 1995 Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, Indio, California, U.S. Retained NABF lightweight title
16 Win 16–0 Paquito Openo KO 7 (12) Aug 18, 1995 Ritz Carlton, Rancho Mirage, California, U.S. Retained NABF lightweight title
15 Win 15–0 Howard Grant TKO 9 (12) May 2, 1995 Arizona Charlie's, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. Won vacant NABF lightweight title
14 Win 14–0 Corey Johnson KO 8 (10) Mar 21, 1995 Arizona Charlie's, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
13 Win 13–0 Fred Valera PTS 10 Dec 16, 1994 Mountaineer Casino Racetrack and Resort, Chester, West Virginia, U.S.
12 Win 12–0 Sharmba Mitchell TKO 9 (10) Jun 21, 1994 MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
11 Win 11–0 Raymond Flores PTS 10 May 27, 1994 Denver, Colorado, U.S.
10 Win 10–0 John Jeter PTS 6 Apr 23, 1994 Bristol, Tennessee, U.S.
9 Win 9–0 Merle Muniz TKO 2 (?) Apr 15, 1994 Denver, Colorado, U.S.
8 Win 8–0 Enrique Ursua TKO 4 (6) Mar 30, 1994 Denver, Colorado, U.S.
7 Win 7–0 John Bryant PTS 6 Feb 15, 1994 Denver, Colorado, U.S.
6 Win 6–0 Chris Wall TKO 2 (?) Jan 15, 1994 Bristol, Tennessee, U.S.
5 Win 5–0 James Page MD 8 Oct 22, 1993 Civic Auditorium, Santa Cruz, California, U.S.
4 Win 4–0 Jay Strickland KO 1 (?) Jul 2, 1993 Denver, Colorado, U.S.
3 Win 3–0 Nasredin Bilam KO 2 (6) May 4, 1993 McNichols Sports Arena, Denver, Colorado, U.S.
2 Win 2–0 Scott Williams KO 1 (?) Apr 17, 1993 Denver, Colorado, U.S.
1 Win 1–0 Frank Cordova TKO 3 (4) Feb 16, 1993 McNichols Sports Arena, Denver, Colorado, U.S.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Johnston will be on his guard". Las Vegas Sun. August 31, 2000. Retrieved March 23, 2023.
  2. ^ "Castillo Retains WBC Lightweight Title". Los Angeles Times. September 16, 2000. Retrieved March 23, 2023.
  3. ^ "Edner Cherry Stops Stevie Johnston, Norwood Falls". Boxingscene. May 22, 2008. Retrieved March 23, 2023.

External links[edit]

Sporting positions
Amateur boxing titles
Previous:
Ray Lovato
U.S. light welterweight champion
1990
Next:
Vernon Forrest
Regional boxing titles
Preceded by NABF lightweight champion
May 2, 1995 – 1996
Vacated
Vacant
Title next held by
Jesse James Leija
Minor World boxing titles
Vacant
Title last held by
Colin Lynes
IBO super lightweight champion
January 27, 2006 – 2006
Vacated
Vacant
Title next held by
Ricky Hatton
Vacant
Title last held by
David Díaz
IBA lightweight champion
January 26, 2007 – October 12, 2007
Succeeded by
Rolando Reyes
Major World boxing titles
Preceded by WBC lightweight champion
March 1, 1997 – June 13, 1998
Succeeded by
Preceded by
César Bazán
WBC lightweight champion
February 27, 1999 – June 17, 2000
Succeeded by