Interview with Glen Johnson: On Chad Dawson Rematch, Roy Jones Jr vs Bernard Hopkins and much more

Interview with Glen Johnson: On Chad Dawson Rematch, Roy Jones Jr vs Bernard Hopkins and much more

By JD Camacho, DoghouseBoxing.com (Oct 23, 2009)

This week I had the opportunity to speak to popular light heavyweight Glen Johnson ahead of his much anticipated rematch with Chad Dawson. Here’s what he had to say.

JD: On your upcoming fight with Chad Dawson, some consider Chad Dawson to be one of the slickest southpaws in the game. Did you find him difficult to hit?

GJ: Not at all.

JD: Not at all? Compared to your other opponents?

GJ: I didn’t find him hard to hit the first time we fought, and I don’t think I’ll find him difficult to hit this time. I landed the more significant punches the first time we fought, so, I didn’t find it hard at all.

JD: This fight is not for the full WBC light heavyweight title. Does that matter to you?

GJ: Well, not at all. I’m not paying attention as far as titles are concerned. Right now, I’m fighting for the opportunity to beat the guy that I beat before but didn’t get the decision.

JD: So this is more about titles to you - this is more about pride?

GJ: Definitely. You want to go out there and show what you can do, and this is one of the top fighters out there – title attached or not attached to it.

JD: You once famously said, “I’m not the best. I’m just the guy willing to fight the best.” Do you still feel that way?

GJ: Always. I’m not a guy who talks about what I am. I let the people make that decision, if they believe I’m good or not. I know how I feel, so I don’t have to tell it to the world. I just keep doing what I do and let the world say what their thoughts are.

JD: Many say that several of the losses in your career were controversial. Given the point you were at in your career last year, was the Dawson loss the worst of the bunch?

GJ: You know, I’ve faced some pretty awful decisions in my career. It’s hard now for me to look back and say which one has been the worst. I know that [the Dawson loss] is up there, because of the significance of the fight and what happened. He was able to capitalize on a lot of money that should have been mine. He went into a fight with Antonio Tarver twice and made [inaudible] money. And now he’s also fighting me in the rematch, where he’s getting the bigger side of the money. So in all aspects of it, he made out, no matter what happened, based on the fact that he was able to get the favor of the decision over me.

JD: You appeared much fresher at the end of the first fight than your opponent. How big a factor will stamina be?

GJ: Well, you know, I feel like I’m in good shape and I’m able to fight all twelve rounds. And that’s what I’m counting on. I’m not really paying attention to his stamina, I’m just paying attention to my stamina – to make sure I’m ready to go out there and show the people that I’m still able to do what I do at a high level. And I do believe I can do that, so that is all I concentrate on.

JD: On to a few other fighters now: Roy Jones, Bernard Hopkins. You’ve fought both men. They are scheduled to fight early next year if they both come through their December fights. Do you have any opinions on that match-up?

GJ: I believe that is a good fight. I would like to see that fight happen. These guys should go out there and make a smash, and they both should come out good on the other side of the fight.

JD: Do you feel that, with a win over Dawson, you would be in line to fight the winner of that fight or would you look elsewhere?

GJ: I would definitely love the opportunity to fight either one of those guys. Whoever the winner is, I would definitely look to fight that guy. But if for some reason they didn’t want to fight, I would have to look elsewhere.

JD: Would you look toward a third Dawson fight if you were to win?

GJ: Sure. If television is interested in the fight, I’m ready to go.

JD: Is there anything else you’d like to say before we close?

GJ: This is an exciting fight. Don’t miss it. Come out and support and enjoy.

JD: Okay. Thank you for your time.

GJ: Thanks, man.

CONCLUSIVE BLOWS

-Andre Dirrell has single-handedly re-popularized the phrase “negative boxing.” A common saying among British ringsiders, fans all over now know the equation: X flails plus Y slips times Z clinches equals negative boxing – and a very headache-inducing night at the fights. Thanks for the lesson…
-Jermain Taylor should drop out of the tournament. He’s made more money in this sport than 99.9% of all boxers. Accomplished more than that same percentage, too. He has three daughters, a beautiful wife, and a lot to be proud of. He should at least give it a lot of thought…
-I’m not saying I’d like to see Carl Froch pummeled. No fighter really deserves a physical beating, and it’d be hard enough watching that gorgeous girlfriend of his cry. But if anyone in the Super Six is worthy of a pummeling, it’s that loudmouth from Nottingham…
-Only a high stamina fighter can hand the bruising Arthur Abraham his first loss, the way I see it. But any John Henry willing to outwork the machine will have to stare down the hammer to do it…
-I know I’m not the first person to say it, but Mike Tyson is still the most unintentionally hilarious athlete in the world. And that’s saying a lot…
-Manny Pacquiao – Miguel Cotto 24/7 is coming. Expect lots of Freddie, Filipinos, Boricuas, and body hooks…

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JD at: jdcamachorj@gmail.com