12.09.07 – By James Slater: Unbeaten heavyweight Kevin “Kingpin” Johnson is one of today’s most promising talents in the big guys’ weight class. Currently sporting a record of 16-0-1(6) the twenty-eight year old living in Georgia definitely sees himself as a future champion. In fact, the ultra-confident and hard working Johnson ( Kevin is a single parent, raising his young daughter by himself) wants to one day get his hands on all four major belts at heavyweight.
Also, he sees himself as a dominant and long-reigning heavyweight boxing king. Speaking to me from his home in Georgia earlier today, the six foot, three standing heavyweight had the following to say.
James Slater: I appreciate you talking to me, Kevin. Firstly, is there any word on your next fight yet?
Kevin Johnson: No, no word yet. I will be having another two fights this year, hopefully one in October, but there’s no word yet on the opponent.
J.S: I read that a fight with Mike Marrone (Lou Duva’s unbeaten heavyweight prospect) is in the works, any thoughts?
K.J: No, his team don’t want no trouble. He [Marrone] don’t want no trouble like that [a fight with me].
J.S: You looked great last time out , against Damian Wills. Was that your best performance yet?
K.J: Not really. I mean, I stepped it up a bit. You have to look good fighting on T.V and that fight was on Showtime. I wanted to look great on T.V.
J.S: Your left jab has been compared to that of Larry Holmes. Along with the jab and your fast hands, what else do you think your main assets as a fighter are?
K.J: Oh, I’ve got a lot in my arsenal. It depends on who I fight, what I use in the ring. Every fight is different and I bring out different things each and every fight. My left jab separates me from other heavyweights in the division. By me being compared to Larry Holmes that makes me kind of special, and like Larry I want to reign as the champ for a long time. Larry was champ for seven years; I want to be champ for eight years!
J.S: What was your amateur background?
K.J: I started out at eighteen years of age. I had sixteen fights. I won fourteen and lost two.
J.S: And since turning pro in early 2003,who has given you your toughest fight so far? I know Timor Ibragimov held you to a draw real early in your career.
K.J: I’ve not had a tough fight yet. As for the Ibragimov fight, he was 14-0 at the time and I was a nobody with a 3-0 record. So for me to have gotten a draw, you know what happened there.
J.S: You feel you won the fight?
K.J: Oh yes, I know I won the fight. It was boxing politics, that’s what it was.
J.S: Have you ever been tagged or hurt in a fight?
K.J: No, and I never will get tagged or hurt either! I’m too fast.
J.S: How did you get the nickname of Kingpin?
K.J: A very good friend gave me that name. There are a lot of names that suit me, but that one kind of stood out.
J.S: With only six KO’s on your record, is it fair to say you’re not a real big puncher?
K.J: I have power, but I’ve never met a fighter where I’ve needed to use power yet. I mean, if ever it happens where my boxing and my speed don’t get respect I might have to bring out my power to get respect. But so far I’ve not met a Sam Peter or a Wladimir Klitschko to have to do that.
J.S: You mentioned Wladimir there, is he the best of the current champions?
K.J: Yeah, Wladimir’s the best. The other champions I could take the belts off them tomorrow! None of those guys are going to reign for seven years, like I will.
J.S: Is it a shock to you that not one American holds a heavyweight title?
K.J: I’m not so much shocked. That’s what happens when fighters over here in America get lazy. And that’s what’s happened. But I train extremely hard and I want to get all four belts in the future.
J.S: Well, you sound very determined and the heavyweight division needs guys like you. I want to thank you for your time and wish you all the best in your career.
K.J: Oh yes, thank you.