Career
Johnson started boxing at the age of 18. He turned pro in 2002. After only three fights the lanky counterpuncher was thrown in with an undefeated Olympian in Timor Ibragimov who had already 13 victories.
To the great surprise of the audience he held Ibragimov to a draw.
Three fights later in 2004 he handily beat well-known clubfighter Robert Wiggins who was 19-3-1 at the time. At the end of November 2007 he was 17-0-1 and widely regarded as America"s best heavyweight prospect largely to his dominant jab.
On April 18, 2008, at the Buffalo Run Casino in Miami, Oklahoma, Johnson defeated Terry Smith by unanimous decision. Johnson used his long jab and hand speed to maneuver his way around the aggression of Smith.
On 12 December 2009 Johnson took on Vitali Klitschko for the WBC Heavyweight title in Bern, Switzerland.
Klitschko was never troubled by Johnson in front of an 18,000-strong crowd in Bern, Switzerland. The previously unbeaten Johnson was unable to land his trademark jab on the 6 ft 7in Vitali, and went on to lose every round of the contest to the Ukrainian. Johnson injured his shoulder 2 weeks prior to the fight.
After the loss to Klitschko, Johnson racked up victories against Charles Davis (19-20-02) and Julius Long (15-14-0) before signing to take place in Eddie Hearn"s Prizefighter tournament in the United Kingdom. On Saturday May 30th 2015, Johnson lost by TKO to Anthony Joshua in the 2nd round after being knocked down twice in the 1st.
This was Johnson"s first stoppage loss. Johnson announced that he will retire from boxing after the defeat to Joshua.