Reggie Johnson Speaks About His Future
by James Slater

November 1, 2007 - Reggie Johnson, the former middleweight and light-heavyweight champion, is about to make a quite unexpected return. Not having boxed since his August 2005 9th-round stoppage of Fred Moore - that fight itself being Johnson's only bout in three-and-a-half years - the 41-year old southpaw goes up against another Johnson, in Glen Johnson, next month. On November 17th, in a fight that will, according to its promoter, contest "all the marbles," the two Johnsons will box for the IBA light-heavyweight title and, more importantly, world ranking positions. Refusing to call this a come-back and instead referring to it as "the get-back," as in get his world title back, the 42-7-1(25) Johnson's ultimate goal is to be enshrined in Boxing's Hall of Fame.

Though many will no doubt see his return as nothing more than another in a long line of past their best fighters foolishly thinking they can "do it again," Reggie is very serious in his beliefs that he can climb to the top once more. The fight with "The Road Warrior" is the first step for the man who has defeated the likes of Ireland's Steve Collins, Lamar Parks, William Guthrie and Ole Klemetsen, and who has been in with greats such as James Toney, Roy Jones Junior and, more recently, Antonio Tarver. Never once halted in his long career, Johnson honestly feels he will not be stopped in his quest to attain true greatness. If he can score what will most certainly be an upset and get past Johnson, a shot at IBF champion Clinton Woods could be on the cards.

The day of a late October press conference to publicise the fight to be held in Lake Charles, Louisiana, Reggie and I spoke over the phone. Speaking about his come-back, or get-back, as he calls it, as well as some of the highlights from his fine career, Reggie was extremely cheerful, even laughing more often than not. I asked him first how training has been going for his come-back fight. Straight away, however, he let me know, good naturedly, that he'd never actually retired.

"I'll correct you there if I can, sir and let you know that I never actually retired from the great sport of boxing. I was inactive due to managerial disputes and the like, but I never left the sport. So this isn't actually what I'd call a come-back. It's more of a get-back. As far as training for this fight, its going fine. I'd say I'm ahead of schedule already. I've been sparring with two heavyweights and the number 11 ranked light-heavyweight in the world, Chris Henry. The fight's not for another few weeks, but I feel ready right now."

Already I am at ease as we talk. Reggie is extremely easy going and an enjoyable person to speak with. He has no "edge" or nastiness in him whatsoever. If he gets past Glenn, what next, I ask him.

"Well, you've got a guy over there in England, Clinton Woods. Early in 2008 I'll be his mandatory and it's a possibility I'll be coming over there for a fight with him. Obviously, we will try to get the fight over here in America, though. I've fought in other countries before, sometimes getting a bad decision against me. But it is a possibility that the fight will be over there."

Surely, Reggie is not looking past Glen Johnson?

"Oh, no. I've way too much respect to ever do a thing like that. This fight is a clash between two very similar fighters who no-one else wants to fight. Both Glen and I are guys who will fight anyone, anywhere. I know he'll give me a tough fight."

Was a fight with Glen and he always a pairing that he felt was destined to happen? As both guys were around at the same time back in the mid 1990's, it seemed inevitable the two men's paths would cross.

"I always did feel we'd fight at middleweight. We always seemed to be on a collision course, yet for some reason the fight never materialised until now. I feel blessed to be getting this fight now and I know that as tough as he is, and even though he will try to come on strong in the later rounds, Glen will not be smart enough to beat me. I expect a tough fight, though, definitely."

Having had such a long and successful career already (Reggie turned pro way back in 1984) it is clear Johnson must have either a fantastic ability at avoiding punches, a rock solid chin, or both, to have lasted so long. I enquire about his secret for longevity.

"I am very fortunate and blessed to have a good chin. As you know, that can't be taught. You either have a strong chin or you don't. But my defence is pretty good too. I'm an all-round fighter really. I've been around long enough to have learnt so many things. The most important thing I've learned over the last few years is how to win a fight in the gym - by preparing to win properly."

At just turned 41-years of age, does Reggie feel he is as fast and as sharp as ever? Though I pretty much know he's going to say he is as good as he always was - as all returning fighters do - when he does so I have to stop myself from imagining that I'm talking to a peak Reggie Johnson, so up-beat and clear of voice does he sound. In no manner at all does he come across as a worse for wear and damaged former talent. Reggie strikes me as being as bright of eye as he was in his youth.

"I am as fast and as sharp, yes. Put it his way, I'm much better now than when I was 25 or 30 years-old. When I moved up to light-heavyweight I started knocking guys cold. It took a lot of hard work to get to light-heavyweight, but I'm a natural light-heavyweight now and I'm much smarter too. I always knew I'd move up from middleweight, as I was struggling to make 160 pounds. I figured on a move to 168, but a shot at Willie Guthrie's world title came up and I took it. In that fight I scored a brutal KO (Guthrie left the ring on a stretcher). I felt stronger at light-heavyweight. Now I want to get my number one ranking, win another world title and get my call for The Hall of fame."

With all he's achieved in his long fighting career, an enshrinement, some could argue, has already been earned. Reggie wants more glory yet, however. Still, I can't resist asking him about his past fights. What bouts from his prime stick uppermost in his mind?

"Of course, the James Toney and Roy Jones fights. I actually felt I won the Toney fight. I scored a knockdown in round two with a left cross. It was a close decision, but I definitely think I did enough to win it. With Roy Jones, he was the only guy to have ever totally shut me down, skill-wise. I met him when he was right at the peak of his career and I was just a step behind him. The two knockdowns he scored, I felt the first was a slip but the second time I was [legitimately] knocked down and I had to get up. Like I say, I thought I did enough to win the world title in my first attempt, against Toney, but I had to face the tough Steve Collins to become champ."

The great fights and the great names are flying by as we talk, there is much to address. What does Reggie, as honest a pro as you could wish to meet (just imagine, for example, someone like Toney or Jones admitting that a former opponent was able to totally shut them down!), remember about his bout with Ireland's Collins?

"That was one of my toughest ever fights. Collins was like Glen [Johnson] in many ways, a great guy willing to fight anyone. That great fight with him was on Showtime, I remember. I was [WBA] middleweight champion after that win. I made three successful defences before losing another close decision, to John David Jackson. That fight was wild, two Americans fighting in Argentina, I'll let you try and figure that one out!"

Then - after two very close points losses to Jorge Castro in bouts that contested Reggie's old WBA middleweight belt, both encounters also in Argentina - came the move up to light-heavy. After the sensational KO of Guthrie, two retentions and then the loss to Jones, how does Reggie feel his more recent career panned out?

"I had a fight with Antonio Tarver [in an IBF 175 pound title eliminator] in 2002. I didn't do enough to win that one. I think it was a fair win for Tarver, I've got to say."

There's that honesty again. With Tarver still very much within reaching distance, one would forgive Johnson for making claims of a robbery having gone against him in his last big fight. But no, Reggie speaks only the truth. Due to his forthrightness and easy charm, I am now a firm rooter (and possible believer) in the southpaw's chances of boxing for a world title once more. How does he rate current IBF boss Clinton Woods?

"I think he's a very decent fighter. He's champion of the world, of course, so it would be very foolish of me to say he can't fight. His last fight, with Julio Gonzalez, who used to be my sparring partner, was a good fight. I saw some things that he did well and others that will give me a chance. He's a good fighter, for sure. But all that [respect] that I have for him will go out of the window come the time to fight him. I've never had the pleasure of fighting in England before, so I look forward to that possibility."

I for one hope Reggie gets his chance. The teak-tough Glen Johnson stands in his way, however. Has Reggie any final prediction for November's fight?

"Prediction? All I know is I will win, and I will win in great style."

A foolish attempt at earning more glory, or an odds-defying "get-back?" We'll soon see.