Former two-time World Boxing Council lightweight champion Stevie “Lil’ But Bad” Johnston (38-3-1, 17 KOs) fights Dominican knockout artist Luis Ernesto Jose (24-4-2, 22 KOs) on March 31 in the 10-round main event at the Ybor City Multi Fight Complex in Tampa, Florida. In the 12-round co-feature on the show co-promoted by Silverhawk Boxing and Ringsports Boxing Promotions, Sherman “The Caribbean Tank” Williams (27-10-2, 15 KOs) battles Adenilson “Maguilinha” Rodrigues (18-3, 14 KOs) for the vacant NBA Intercontinental heavyweight title.

The crafty Johnston, rated No. 8 by the WBC, is the reigning IBO and NABC light welterweight champion. The 33-year-old boxer captured the WBC lightweight championship twice between 1997 and 2000, and he had seven successful title defenses. In 2000, Stevie lost the WBC belt to Jose Luis Castillo and three months later they fought to a draw in which Johnston originally was declared the winner by majority decision, but a scoring error was revealed resulting in a controversial draw.

“I’m keeping busy and staying in top shape,” Johnston said from his Vero Beach training camp. “I’m doing everything I’m supposed to do. I’ve fought all over the world, but this will be my first time fighting in Tampa. I live in Vero Beach now and Tampa is about an hour drive away, so it’ll be like fighting in my new hometown.

“I don’t know too much about my opponent right now, but I don’t take anybody
lightly. It doesn’t matter than he’s a southpaw. I just train for who they put in against me. This is the most important fight for me because I’m a little older and to get back to where I was, on top, I have to keep winning every fight.”

Denver-native Johnston has won three straight since famed Buddy McGirt started training him, including his 12-round decision (118-109, 116-111, 116-111) January 27 against Steve Quinonez, and seven of his last eight fights. Prior to hooking-up with McGirt, Johnston was inactive for more than two years due to life-threatening injuries suffered in a 2003 car accident.

Stevie’s list of victims during the course of his 12-year professional career includes Sharmba Mitchell, Jean Baptiste Mendy, Saul Duran, Cesar Bazan, James Page and Angel Manfredy.

Doors open at 6:30 PM with the first bout at 7:30 PM. Tickets, priced at $75.00 (VIP), $40.00 (reserved) and $25.00 (general admission) are available through TicketMaster. For more information call 813.223.7788.

Johnston and Williams are promoted by Silverhawk Boxing, managed by Rider Boxing, and trained by McGirt. For more information about Johnston, Williams or Silverhawk Boxing go to www.silverhawkboxing.com.

Click to read more boxing articles by Boxing Press

Discuss in Boxing Forum

---

Related Boxing Articles...

• Boxing Weigh-in Results: Stevie Johnston - Humberto Toledo

  Stevie Johnston 135 lbs. Humberto Toledo 135 lbs. (IBA Lightweight Championship) Adrian Mora 138 ½ lbs. Marc Thompson 139 ½ lbs. (IBA Light Welterweight Championship) Cedric Boswell 240 lbs. Steve Pannell 256 ½ lbs. Salvador >
  
  

• Boxing Result: “Vicious” Vivian Harris Stops Stevie Johnston In California

  In a battle of former world champions, Vivian Harris prevailed over Stevie "Lil But Bad" Johnston at light welter tonight at the Chumash Casino in Santa Ynez, California. Both men >
  
  

• Boxing Results: Cherry Drops the “Bomb” on Johnston

  Camp Lejeune, Jacksonville, North Carolina, was the host for ESPN’s “Wednesday Night Fights” weekly card and on top of the bill lightweight action ensued as Edner “Cherry Bomb” Cherry 24-5-2 >
  
  

• Boxing Preview Analysis: Stevie Johnston Vs Edner Cherry

  Have you ever heard the saying that things happen in threes? The rule of three is a principle that suggests that events happen or repeat themselves three times which is >
  
  

• Stevie Johnston To Headline Ybor City Boxing Card

  For many boxers the comeback trail is the hardest trail to travel. But for 2-time former WBC Lightweight Champion and current IBO and NABC Light Welterweight Champion Stevie "Lil' >
  
  

• Boxing Injury Forces Johnston Out Of Ngoudjo Bout

  An injury has forced former two-time World Boxing Council lightweight champion Stevie "Lil' But Bad" Johnston (38-3-1, 17 KOs) to pull out of his May 26 championship fight against Herman >
  
  

• Boxing Result: Stevie Johnston Turns Back Clock In Colorado

  It was like 1999 all over again last night at the Events Center in Broomfield, Colorado as Stevie "Lil' But Bad" Johnston turned in a vintage performance to widely outpoint >
  
  

• Former WBC World Champion Stevie Johnston Tops Silverhawk Boxing Card May 18

  IBA world lightweight champion Stevie "Lil' But Bad" Johnston has been training in Colorado Springs since May 1 to re-acclimate himself to the area's high altitude for his May 18 >
  
  

• Stevie Johnston captures IBA Boxing lightweight title in Orlando

  Former two-time WBC lightweight champion Stevie "Lil' But Bad" Johnston captured the vacant IBA title last night (Friday, Jan. 26) on the "Blood, Sweat & Guts" card, presented by >
  
  

• Silverhawk Boxing: Stevie Johnston vs. Humberto Toldeo May 18

  WBC Latino & WBA FEDEBOL super featherweight champion Humberto "El Fuerte" Toledo is moving up one weight class to challenge IBA World lightweight title-holder Stevie "Lil' But Bad" Johnson on >
  
  

---