‘Results Damian Wills’

In a battle of unbeatens in the main event at Bally's Hotel and casino in Atlantic City, promoted by John Lynch and Pound For Pound Promotions, on Saturday April 2, 2011, Alexander Johnson of Oxon Hill, Maryland, now 11-0 (4), scored a ten round majority decision upset over NABF Super Middleweight champion Farah Ennis, now 17-1 (11), in a nontitle bout.

In an entertaining war, Ennis faded over the last two rounds due to a cut on his right eyelid which did not affect his vision but had him more on the defensive. Ennis appeared to win the first round, third and eighth round by outworking Johnson with left jabs. The sixth round appeared even, with the fourth round close.

Johnson clearly won the second, fifth, seventh, ninth and tenth rounds, forcing Ennis on the retreat with head shots. At times, the two men stared each other down in center ring, with Johnson scoring with hard jabs. Overall, Johnson was busier and more aggressive.

Johnson, in Rastafarian deadlocks hairdo, appeared to be a hard hitting miniature version of heavyweight Shannon Briggs, and refused to be intimidated or bothered by any offensive attempts Ennis tried to mount. Fighting a smart fight, Johnson walked down Ennis with hard shots to the head and body and also scored effectively when Ennis tried unsuccessfully to fight off the ropes.

Johnson explained after the bout, "I'm a counterpuncher. So is he (Farah Ennis). You can punch yourself out, or you can catch him with slow jabs and counter hooks, and pick up the pace with combinations." Johnson won this bout with a slow but sure, consistent, calculating style, finding his openings and carefully picking his shots. More...