Star Boxing: “Kingpin” Johnson Ready For World Champions After Vargas Fight

On May 15, Star Boxing’s undefeated heavyweight contender Kevin “Kingpin” Johnson, 21-0-1 (8), will look to take one step closer to fighting for a world title when he takes on highly regarded, undefeated 2004 U.S. Olympic Team Captain, Devin Vargas, 17-0 (7).

The bout will take place at Harrah’s Resort in Atlantic City, NJ and be shown live as that evening’s ESPN2 “Friday Night Fights” main event.

Johnson, who is widely considered to be the top American heavyweight contender, was originally slated to face former world title challenge Monte “Two Gunz” Barrett. But with just a little over a week to go, Barrett pulled out of the fight, claiming he suffered an eye injury while in training, something that does not sit well with Johnson at all.

“He punked out,” stated an agitated Johnson. “He has been running his mouth for months but every time he has the chance to fight me, he comes up with some excuse.

“Maybe David Haye’s people paid him off. They know that by me destroying Barrett, it would have made Haye’s performance look not as good anymore [Haye TKO’d Barrett in five rounds].”

While Johnson, who is ranked as the WBA #5, WBC #10, and IBF #13 rated heavyweight in the world, wants to make it clear how he feels about Barrett and Haye, he knows he still has to take care of business on the 15th.

“I feel bad for the kid Vargas, because all of my anger I have now is going to get dished out on him. I know he was an Olympian, I know he is promoted by Star, so I feel bad having to beat someone promoted by the same company as me, but business is business.

“I am so close to getting my title shot, and if you think I am going to let Devin Vargas or anyone for that matter stand in the way of that, then you are out of your mind!”

In Vargas, Johnson will be taking on a young, hungry, undefeated prospect, who, like Johnson, is trying to establish himself as the top American heavyweight contender.

The last time Vargas saw the bright lights of ESPN2 was in May, 2008 when he brutally stopped Dave Brunelli at just one minute and thirty one seconds of the very first round.

Regarding how he sees the fight going, Johnson is confident that the bout won’t go the distance. “I have stopped my last two opponents and I want to keep increasing my knockout ratio, so yes the fight is definitely going to end with either Vargas on his back or the referee with his arms around him.

“To all those champions out there, please tune in on the 15th, you might want to take notes because I am coming for you, for all of you! I am ready to claim my throne and once I get these belts I am not ever going to let them go, so please enjoy them while you still can.”

The card is promoted by Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing, in association with Harrah’s Resort. A complete list of the undercard will be announced shortly. Tickets are priced at $90 and $60 and can be purchased by calling Ticketmaster at 1(800) 745-3000 or going online to ticketmaster.com.

Tickets are also available by calling Star Boxing at (718) 823- 2000 or by going online to www.starboxing.com.