"Gentleman" James Johnson Interview

Shreveport, LA's "Gentleman" James Johnson (17-12-2) will travel to Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, CT to make his light heavyweight debut against undefeated Joe Spina (13-0). This will be Spina's first step up in competition and Johnson is going into knock him back down to earth. In the past few months Johnson has gone from a 147lbs fighter into a full fledged cruiserweight. Gulfcoastboxing had the opportunity to speak with Mr. Johnson before his flight to Mashantucket.

First off the question on everyones mind. Why the drastic weight change?

I was always the bigger guy at 147, then I decided to start lifting weights, I did then about 8 months I was up to 185-195 and felt comfortable. I had to get up to 200lbs to fight my last fight. I am not a real heavyweight. I am most comfortable at light heavyweight, at that weight I would only have to shed 8lbs and it would not kill me. I plan on staying at light heavyweight, I have the right height for the division.

In your last fight you were briefly in with a heavyweight. (KO1 vs Anthony Barbier) What was the biggest difference in being in the ring with a heavyweight as to a 147lb'er

There are advantages and disadvantages. I knew I would have to be more cautious against the bigger guys, cause there is more chance for a knockout. I just used my strength and speed, and I knew I had more experience. I was not looking to slug it out with him, I was just looking to out-box him. My forte is boxing, not brawling.

The disadvantages are that a bigger guy can lay all his weight on you and bruise you up. I just need to use my strength and speed.

Did you hear about Barbier's MMA/Toughman background before your fight?

Yeah, that is all I heard about how tough he was and how he fought in the cage. I knew he was not going to come in and lay down. Boxing is a lot different than MMA. I knew there would be no take downs, he would have to follow the rules, and he did. I was going in there to fight, not to talk and that is what I did.

Did you see any weaknesses that you could expolit during you fight with Barbier?

I didn't really see anything at first, but I knew he looked soft to the body so that was my plan. After I saw that I could land my jabs it opened him up so I could land my combinations after that, I knew I had him.

At one point during your fight with Barbier you guys both fell to the ground, can you tell us what happened?

Yeah, we got tangled up. Ours legs get caught up, but I was able to dictate how we landed. Did you notice I landed on top of him?

The word on the web is that you and Bryon Polley (15-5), a 240lb heavyweight, are planning a fight for early next year. Are you ok with fighting someone that much bigger then you?

I wouldn't mind fighting Polley, he is slow and clumsy and should be at 215lbs tops, he stumbles around the ring. He is sloppy and he is a clown, no disrespect to him as a person, but as a fighter he is a clown.

You've faced a slew of former world champions, who was your toughest opponent?

Bronco McKart, I was beating him up for 3 rounds. Then I caught him in on his hipbone and I hurt my wrist. He used his old school tactics like stretching my right arm when we were clinched. He was more skilled than I was.

Then it would be Lou Del Valle and I thought I won 5 of the 6 rounds in our fight. He just fought a complete bum and barley got a split decision. (Del Valle beat Raymond McLamore 2-4 by split decision)

You have fight with undefeated Joe Spina (13-0) on Friday night, are you confident that you will be the first to defeat him?

Yes I am confident. He doesn't have any kind of amateur background, he is another tough man fighter. He hasn't fought anyone, if you add up the wins of his opponents, it comes out to only 30 wins, and if you add up the wins of my opponents the total is over 300. I have the experience edge

I know I can beat him. I've watched the video I have of him two dozen times. I know he is strong, but he can easily be timed. It is going to be really easy. I'm going to knock him out. I am not going to just beat him, I am going to hurt him.

What are you plans in 2005?

I will know exactly where I stand after the Spina fight. I am going to know if I should stay at light heavyweight or not. I would like to get two more wins then step up. I have the experience, I have the amateur background. I turn 29 next year, and I don't want to be one of those guys that only fights 6 rounders and wait until they are 40 to step up. When I am 40, I want to be spending time with my family

When you step up, who would you most like to fight?

Most of all would be Glen Johnson, he is predictable and beatable. I wish I would have fought him before he fought Roy Jones. Glen Johnson would be an easy fight for me. Tarver should expose him.

As for local guys, I would love to get a crack at Will McIntrye.

Anything you would like to say in closing?

I would like to thank Gulfcoastboxing.com for the support and taking their time to interview me.

Gulfcoastboxing would like to thank James for his time, and we wish him the best of luck against Joe Spina. GCB would also like to wish Shreveport’s John Temple (6-6-1) the best of luck as he will travel with James to Mashantucket, CT to take on Josh Beenman (3-1)