Johnson fails to cut down IBF champion
Published:Monday | August 9, 2010 | 12:00 AM
ST LOUIS, Missouri (CMC):
Glengoffe Johnson of Jamaica lost his International Boxing Federation light-heavyweight title fight when Tavoris Cloud of the United States earned a unanimous decision on Saturday night at the Scottrade Centre.
The 41-year-old Johnson, also known as 'The Road Warrior', has now slipped to his 14th loss in 66 professional fights, which also includes 50 wins and a pair of draws.
"I made some adjustments throughout the fight," said Johnson, one of only three fighters to take the champion the full distance in his career. "[Cloud] was throwing a lot of punches, but I was blocking most of them. But the judges were counting them all. He caught me with a punch over there that I was not ready for. I was off-balance and that was the only time I got caught."
The 28-year-old Cloud has now improved to 21-0, after judges Mike Fitzgerald, Pat Monley and Fran Bechen all scored the fight 116-112 in his favour. "I was head-butted a lot," he said. "It was a heck of a fight. I have a lot of respect for Glen. I had the most effective punches. I hurt him worse. Glen Johnson said he was off-balance. He got hurt because I hit him. I was looking for a shot to get him out. He's a slick fighter, so I didn't get the KO."
He added: "I definitely want to fight Chad Dawson. I was a little rusty, so I will be better next time. I am a bad man. I'm going to be a unified World champion and undisputed champion."
High-energy bout
In a high-energy bout, both fighters had their moments. They hurt each other, but they showed enormous courage, with neither hitting the canvas. As a result, there were about three or four close rounds that were difficult to call, but Cloud's harder punching and overwhelming work-rate was more effective than Johnson's well-timed, well-calculated flurries.
There was some post-fight controversy concerning the gloves Cloud wore during the bout.The two pugilists had agreed to wear Everlast 10-ounce red mittens, but Cloud wore a black pair, which was confiscated for inspection.