Steven Earl Johnston (born September 28, 1972), best known as Stevie Johnston, is a former American professional boxer and a two-time former WBC lightweight champion.

Amateur career Johnston had a storied amateur career, compiling an amateur record of 260–13. Some of his highlights include: 1989 lost at Lightweight in the United States Championships to Shane Mosley 1990 United States Amateur champion at Light Welterweight 1990 2nd place at Light Welterweight at the World Championships in Lima, Peru; losing to Hector Vinent of Cuba. 1991 Silver medalist at the USA Sports festival beating Shane Mosley by decision, and losing to Terron Millett by decision 1991 Light Welterweight Gold Medalist at the Pan-American Games in Havana, Cuba. Results were: Mark Leduc (Canada) won on points Luiz da Silva (Brazil) won by forfeit Edgar Ruiz (Mexico) won on points 1992 2nd place at Light Welterweight at United States Amateur Championships, losing to Shane Mosley. 1992 finished 2nd at the Olympic Trials in Worcester, MA, attempting to qualify as a Light Welterweight. Results were: Mark Lewis won on points Terron Millett won on points Vernon Forrest lost on points, Johnston then lost again to Forrest in the Box-Offs in Phoenix.

Professional career Known as "Lil' But Bad", Johnston turned pro in 1993 and fought for the WBC Lightweight Title against Jean Baptiste Mendy in 1997, winning a close split decision. Johnston defended the title three times before losing the belt to Cesar Bazan in 1998 in a close decision. In 1999 he won a rematch against Bazan in another close decision. He defended the title four times, including a victory over Angel Manfredy, but lost the belt in a loss to José Luis Castillo in 2000 via majority decision. The loss was declared the 2000 Upset of the Year by Ring Magazine, as Castillo was relatively unknown at the time and Johnston was thought to be over the hill. It wasn't until a couple years later that the world would know how good of a fighter Castillo was. Later that year, in an attempt to regain the belt, Johnston rematched Castillo. In a bizarre ending, Johnston was originally declared the winner by Majority decision. Several minutes later it was discovered that Judge Ken Morita's scorecard (originally 115-114 Johnston) had been added incorrectly and should have read 114-114, thus making the bout a draw and allowing Castillo to retain his title. This was to be Johnston's last shot at a major title.

He lost his next big fight, a WBC Lightweight Title Eliminator in 2003 to contender Juan Lazcano, a stunning 11th-round TKO loss. Prior to the loss, the durable Johnston had never been stopped. After the loss, Johnston was inactive for more than two years due to injuries suffered in a car accident later that year. "I'm lucky to be alive, never mind fighting," Stevie explained. "I went through the windshield, woke up in the hospital, and ended-up with more than 100-stitches in my face." Johnston came back in 2005 and in 2006 took on former 140 lbs WBA world title holder Vivian Harris and was dominated. Johnston was down twice in the 1st round and once in rounds 4 and 7, losing in a 7th-round TKO. In 2007 he was stopped by Rolando Reyes.

In 2008, Johnston suffered another defeat by way of KO at the hands of a taller and younger Edner Cherry. A left jab followed immediately by a right cross which landed squarely on Johnston's chin and knocked him down with only 30 seconds left in the 10th and final round. Making matters worse, Johnston slammed the back of his head against the canvas on the way down, and was unconscious for several minutes after the count.

Professional boxing record

ResultRecordOpponentTypeRoundDateLocationNotes49LossEdner CherryKO10 (10)May 21, 200848Win42–5–1Dairo EsalasRTD10Mar 29, 200847Loss41–5–1Rolando ReyesRTD10 (12)Oct 12, 200746Win41–4–1Humberto ToledoUD12May 18, 200745Win40–4–1Tyron HarrisMD12Jan 26, 200744Loss39–4–1Vivian HarrisTKO7 (10)Jul 29, 200643Win39–3–1Roberto OrtegaTKO5 (8)Mar 31, 200642Win38–3–1Steve QuinonezUD12Jan 27, 200641Win37–3–1Volodymyr KhodakovskyyUD10Dec 3, 200540Win36–3–1James CraytonUD8Oct 15, 200539Loss35–3–1Juan LazcanoTKO11 (12)Sep 13, 200338Win35–2–1Ever BelenoKO6 (12)Feb 21, 200337Win34–2–1Alejandro GonzálezMD12Apr 20, 200236Win33–2–1Bradley JensenTKO6 (10)Sep 23, 200135Win32–2–1James CraytonTD9 (10)Jun 1, 200134Win31–2–1Pedro GarciaUD8May 18, 200133Draw30–2–1José Luis CastilloMD12Sep 15, 200032Loss30–2José Luis CastilloMD12Jun 17, 200031Win30–1Julio AlvarezTKO2 (12)Mar 17, 200030Win29–1Billy SchwerUD12Nov 29, 199929Win28–1Angel ManfredyUD12Aug 14, 199928Win27–1Aldo Nazareno RiosUD12Jun 26, 199927Win26–1César BazánSD12Feb 27, 199926Win25–1Demetrio CeballosTKO6 (10)Nov 20, 199825Loss24–1César BazánSD12Jun 13, 199824Win24–0George ScottUD12Feb 28, 199823Win23–0Saul DuranUD12Sep 12, 199722Win22–0Hiroyuki SakamotoSD12Jul 26, 199721Win21–0Jean Baptiste MendySD12Mar 1, 199720Win20–0Jose Luis BaltazarUD10Jan 18, 199719Win19–0Julian RomeroTKO2 (10)May 31, 199618Win18–0Mark FernandezUD12Feb 18, 199617Win17–0Jesus RodriguezTKO10 (12)Dec 1, 199516Win16–0Paquito OpenoKO7 (12)Aug 18, 199515Win15–0Howard GrantTKO9 (12)May 2, 199514Win14–0Corey JohnsonKO8 (10)Mar 21, 199513Win13–0Fred ValeraPTS10Dec 16, 199412Win12–0Sharmba MitchellTKO9 (10)Jun 21, 199411Win11–0Raymond FloresPTS10May 27, 199410Win10–0John JeterPTS6Apr 23, 19949Win9–0Merle MunizTKO2 (?)Apr 15, 19948Win8–0Enrique UrsuaTKO4 (6)Mar 30, 19947Win7–0John BryantPTS6Feb 15, 19946Win6–0Chris WallTKO2 (?)Jan 15, 19945Win5–0James PageMD8Oct 22, 19934Win4–0Jay StricklandKO1 (?)Jul 2, 19933Win3–0Nasredin BilamKO2 (6)May 4, 19932Win2–0Scott WilliamsKO1 (?)Apr 17, 19931Win1–0Frank CordovaTKO3 (4)Feb 16, 1993

See also List of world lightweight boxing champions List of southpaw stance boxers

References

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