16.04.08 – By Matt Yanofsky: I had the opportunity to speak with top rated heavyweight prospect Kevin “Kingpin” Johnson 18-0-1 (6 KO’s). Johnson will be taking on tough veteran Terry Smith this Friday on ESPN 2’s Friday Night Fights.
MY: Kevin what’s up? In your last TV fight (which was an August 3rd Shobox card) you dominated fellow prospect Damian Wills. What took a rising heavyweight star so long to get back on the air?
KJ: It’s not up to me it’s up to the promoter. I’ve been in the gym since December which was right after I fought Jameel Barnes. If it was my choice, I would have fought on TV like 7 more times since my last TV bout in August. I want to fight the top guys and nothing else.
MY: On Friday you will be taking on a tough experienced opponent in Terry Smith. He has never been knocked out and has been in some very entertaining action fights. What are you doing to prepare for the man known as “The Troublemaker”?
KJ: I’ll be causing Terry Smith trouble with right hands, hooks and jabs it’s as simple as that.
MY: Your alias is Kingpin. Does this nickname have any personal significance or are you called Kingpin because you want to be just that of the heavyweight division in the future?
KJ: That is it! People will notice I am the best heavyweight after I knock off some of the top guys within the next 6 months.
MY: You have called out some other young fighters such as Malik Scott. Why haven’t you fought Scott or another up and comer outside of Damian Wills?
KJ: Malik Scott had the chance to fight me but he didn’t want it! He is now ranked behind me so fighting him is like going backwards and I only want to more forward. I am currently rated #9 in the world by the WBA and he has 11 more fights then I do. After Smith, I want to fight Golota Moorer Briggs and Holyfield they need to be taken out of the division because their days have passed. I’d love to take out three of them before I fight for the title.
MY: Out of all the other heavyweight prospects Chris Arreola, Odlanier Solis, Alexander Dimitrenko, Carl Drummond, and Jason Estrada among others who do you consider the best and why?
KJ: Chris Arreola, He is the only other young heavyweight who can win a title in the near future. Chris and I will team up to take the belts back to America!
MY: Your offensive arsenal features a wicked jab as well as great hand speed. Is this something you developed over time or is it natural?
KJ: Natural. I am an athlete out of the gate and I come from an athletic family. I was a track runner and basketball player prior to being a boxer.
MY: You have only 6 knockouts in your 18 victories and the people usually like to see heavyweight score knockouts. Why should the fans watch Kevin Johnson if he isn’t stopping people?
KJ: Look at who I’ve fought most of my opponents were tough early in my career. After I beat Demitrice king he won 6 in a row and had beat some good fighters the kid is no bum. Jameel Barnes was only stopped once and Robert Hawkins was only knocked out twice. Sam “the night freak” Peter couldn’t stop Hawkins so that tells you something.
MY: Kevin thanks for your time best of luck Friday. What do you have to say to your fans and the readers in closing?
KJ: I want to tell the women in Oklahoma to go out get their hair, nails, and feet done because something tall dark and handsome is coming to a theater near them!