Mark Johnson (boxer)

Last updated
Mark Johnson
Born
Marcellus Joseph Johnson

(1971-08-13) August 13, 1971 (age 53)
Washington, D.C., U.S.
Other namesToo Sharp
Statistics
Weight(s)
Height5 ft 3 in (160 cm) [1]
Reach63 in (160 cm) [1]
Stance Southpaw
Boxing record
Total fights50
Wins44
Wins by KO28
Losses5
No contests1

Marcellus Joseph Johnson (born August 13, 1971), better known as Mark "Too Sharp" Johnson, is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1990 to 2006. He is a three-time world champion in two weight classes, having held the IBF flyweight title from 1996 to 1999; the IBF junior bantamweight title from 1999 to 2000; and the WBO junior bantamweight title from 2003 to 2004.

Contents

A fast and skilled southpaw, Johnson reached a peak Ring magazine pound for pound ranking of fifth in 1998, [2] and is the first African-American boxer to win a flyweight world title. In 2012 he was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame. [3] [4]

Amateur career

Johnson was an amateur standout, winning the 1989 U.S. national championships at light flyweight.

Professional career

Flyweight

Johnson, defeated Francisco Tejedor to win the IBF Flyweight title in 1996. Although he never attained significant popularity due to his weight class and lack of defining fights, he went on to become one of the top pound for pound fighters in boxing for several years. Johnson conceded in a 2001 interview that his decision to manage his career independently during his peak, rather than signing with an established promoter, contributed to his inability to secure high-profile fights, "I realized I had to have some management like a Don King or a Bob Arum or a [Lou] Duva to get these fights." [5]

Junior Bantamweight

Johnson defended that crown seven times until April 1999, when he rose to win the IBF's junior bantamweight crown with a unanimous decision over Ratanachai Sor Vorapin at Washington, D.C.'s MCI Center (now the Capital One Arena). He defended the Super Flyweight title twice. However, his career was interrupted when he was sentenced to a year in prison on a drug related parole violation as well as domestic assault charges involving his wife. While incarcerated, he was stripped of his IBF title due to inactivity. [5]

Bantamweight

Johnson returned to the ring in 2001, scoring two consecutive wins. In his third fight at bantamweight Johnson lost in an upset to up and coming Rafael Marquez by split decision over 10 rounds later that year. This bout was clouded by the fact that Johnson was docked two points for holding. In the rematch the following year, Marquez took Johnson apart, winning by TKO in the 8th round. In 2003, Johnson upset WBO super flyweight champion Fernando Montiel. Johnson defended that title once before losing by knockout in the 8th round to Ivan Hernández. Johnson retired following his second straight loss in February 2006 after falling by eighth-round knockout to current WBC featherweight titleholder Jhonny González.

Professional boxing record

50 fights44 wins5 losses
By knockout283
By decision162
No contests1
No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
50Loss44–5 (1) Jhonny González KO8 (12), 1:08Feb 25, 2006Mandalay Bay Events Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
49Loss44–4 (1) Iván Hernández KO8 (12), 2:42 Sep 25, 2004 FedExForum, Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.Lost WBO junior bantamweight title
48Win44–3 (1)Paulino VillalobosUD10Jul 17, 2004 Prince George's Stadium, Bowie, Maryland, U.S.
47Win43–3 (1)Luis BolanoKO4 (12), 2:40Mar 6, 2004Foxwoods Resort Casino, Ledyard, Connecticut, U.S.Retained WBO junior bantamweight title
46Win42–3 (1) Fernando Montiel MD12Aug 16, 2003Mohegan Sun Arena, Montville, Connecticut, U.S.Won vacant WBO junior bantamweight title
45Win41–3 (1)Ricardo MedinaUD8Jun 28, 2003D.C. Armory, Washington, D.C., U.S.
44Loss40–3 (1) Rafael Márquez TKO8 (12), 2:41Feb 23, 2002 Mandalay Bay Events Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.For vacant USBA bantamweight title
43Loss40–2 (1) Rafael Márquez SD10Oct 6, 2001 Memorial Coliseum, Corpus Christi, Texas, U.S.
42Win40–1 (1)Arturo ValenzuelaTKO6 (10), 0:20Jul 24, 2001 Chene Park, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
41Win39–1 (1)Sergio PerezUD10Jun 8, 2001 Ho-Chunk Casino, Delton, Wisconsin, U.S.
40NC38–1 (1)Raul JuarezNC4 (12), 2:14Nov 19, 1999D.C. Armory, Washington, D.C., U.S.IBF junior bantamweight title at stake;
NC after Juarez could not continue from an intentional low blow
39Win38–1 Jorge Lacierva TD8 (12), 2:07Aug 13, 1999 Foxwoods Resort Casino, Ledyard, Connecticut, U.S.Retained IBF junior bantamweight title;
Unanimous TD after Lacierva was cut from an accidental head clash
38Win37–1 Ratanachai Sor Vorapin UD12Apr 24, 1999 MCI Center, Washington, D.C., U.S.Won vacant IBF junior bantamweight title
37Win36–1 José Laureano TKO6 (12), 3:00Sep 4, 1998 Etess Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.Retained IBF flyweight title
36Win35–1Luis RolonUD12Jul 26, 1998 Turning Stone Resort Casino, Verona, New York, U.S.Retained IBF flyweight title
35Win34–1 Arthur Johnson KO1 (12), 1:11Feb 22, 1998D.C. Armory, Washington, D.C., U.S.Retained IBF flyweight title
34Win33–1Angel AlmenaUD12Sep 16, 1997 Municipal Auditorium, Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.Retained IBF flyweight title
33Win32–1Cecilio EspinoKO2 (12), 3:00Jun 1, 1997 Mohegan Sun Arena, Montville, Connecticut, U.S.Retained IBF flyweight title
32Win31–1 Alejandro Montiel UD12Feb 10, 1997Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.Retained IBF flyweight title
31Win30–1Raul JuarezTKO8 (12), 1:57Aug 5, 1996Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.Retained IBF flyweight title
30Win29–1Francisco TejedorKO1 (12), 1:35May 4, 1996 Arrowhead Pond, Anaheim, California, U.S.Won vacant IBF flyweight title
29Win28–1Raul RiosKO3 (10)Dec 11, 1995Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.
28Win27–1Ernest SneedTKO1Oct 15, 1995Washington, D.C., U.S.
27Win26–1Marcos PachecoTKO4Sep 11, 1995Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.
26Win25–1 Josué Camacho TKO8 (12), 2:42Jul 15, 1995Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.Retained World Boxing Board flyweight title
25Win24–1Rafael GranilloKO5 (12), 1:56Jun 10, 1995Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.Retained World Boxing Board flyweight title
24Win23–1Mauro DiazTKO3 (12)Apr 24, 1995Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.Retained World Boxing Board flyweight title
23Win22–1Leon SalazarRTD3 (12), 3:00Feb 20, 1995Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.Retained World Boxing Board flyweight title
22Win21–1Enrique OrozcoTKO12 (12), 1:30Oct 22, 1994 Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.Retained World Boxing Board flyweight title
21Win20–1Jose QuirinoKO3 (12)Jun 11, 1994Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.Retained World Boxing Board flyweight title
20Win19–1Javier JuarezKO3 (12), 2:24May 9, 1994Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.Retained World Boxing Board flyweight title
19Win18–1Ancee GedeonPTS10Apr 23, 1994 D.C. Armory, Washington, D.C., U.S.Retained World Boxing Board flyweight title
18Win17–1Eduardo RamirezKO2 (12)Mar 1, 1994Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.Retained World Boxing Board flyweight title
17Win16–1Roberto Betillo AlvarezUD12Dec 6, 1993Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.Retained World Boxing Board flyweight title
16Win15–1Armando DiazUD12Aug 9, 1993Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.Retained World Boxing Board flyweight title
15Win14–1Alberto JimenezSD12May 18, 1993Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.Won vacant World Boxing Board flyweight title
14Win13–1Rudy BradleyPTS8Apr 5, 1993 Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.
13Win12–1Luis RosarioKO2Feb 19, 1993Convention Center, Washington, D.C., U.S.
12Win11–1Daniel MoranTKO1Nov 29, 1992Convention Center, Washington, D.C., U.S.
11Win10–1Raul HernandezKO2Oct 3, 1992Washington, D.C., U.S.
10Win9–1Steve ColemanKO1Jun 13, 1992 Alexandria, Virginia, U.S.
9Win8–1Aureo DominguezUD6Jan 11, 1992Convention Center, Washington, D.C., U.S.
8Win7–1Martin LloveraKO2 (6)Sep 21, 1991Washington, D.C., U.S.
7Win6–1Joe BordleyKO2Jul 24, 1991Washington, D.C., U.S.
6Win5–1Derrick ShepherdKO1May 4, 1991Washington, D.C., U.S.
5Win4–1Derrick ShepherdPTS6Mar 9, 1991Washington, D.C., U.S.
4Win3–1Darian RileyKO2Feb 26, 1991 Convention Center, Washington, D.C., U.S.
3Win2–1Wayne JohnsonKO1Jan 11, 1991 Washington, D.C., U.S.
2Loss1–1Richie WentonPTS4Mar 17, 1990 King's Hall, Belfast, Northern Ireland
1Win1–0Ray GonzálezKO3 (4)Feb 24, 1990 Palace Theatre, Lorain, Ohio, U.S.

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References

  1. 1 2 Showtime Championship Boxing tale of the tape prior to the Ratanachai Sor Vorapin fight.
  2. ↑ "The Ring Magazine's Annual Ratings: 1998". BoxRec. Retrieved July 11, 2017.
  3. ↑ Thomas Hearns leads HOF ballot. ESPN.com. Retrieved on October 14, 2011.
  4. ↑ "Mark "Too Sharp" Johnson". International Boxing Hall of Fame. Retrieved April 18, 2012.
  5. 1 2 "Mark Johnson understands the significance of a punch". The Washington Times .
Sporting positions
Amateur boxing titles
Previous:
Michael Carbajal 		U.S. light flyweight champion
1989		Next:
John Herrera
Minor world boxing titles
New titleWBB flyweight champion
May 18, 1993 – October 1995
Vacated		Vacant
Title next held by
Rubén Sánchez León
Major world boxing titles
Vacant
Title last held by
Danny Romero 		IBF flyweight champion
May 4, 1996 – April 1999
Vacated		Vacant
Title next held by
Irene Pacheco
Vacant
Title last held by
Johnny Tapia 		IBF junior bantamweight champion
April 24, 1999 – February 12, 2000
Vacated		Vacant
Title next held by
Félix Machado
Preceded by WBO junior bantamweight champion
August 16, 2003 – September 25, 2004		Succeeded by
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