by GM Ross – Former WBA heavyweight title challenger Kirk ‘Bubba’ Johnson of Nova Scotia made a successful return to professional boxing last night, April 29, at the Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas, by defeating Douglas Robertson of Longview, Texas, via first round TKO. The bout was scheduled for four rounds but was stopped after Robertson hit the canvas twice in the first round. Although Johnson’s victory came in impressive fashion, Robertson is a far cry from ‘Bubba’s’ previous competition. With a record of just 3-23-2 coming into the contest, Robertson easily boasted the worst record of any Johnson opponent to date. The question on most fans’ minds was no doubt Johnson’s weight. Johnson came into the bout at 248.5 lbs, 11.5 lbs lighter than the embarrassing 260 lbs he weighed against Vitali Klitschko.. That being said, Johnson weighed only 232 lbs in his impressive knockout victory over Oleg Maskaev back in 2000. Thus, its safe to assume that the big Nova Scotian still has plenty of training ahead of him if he intends to make a dent in the current heavyweight division.
Alberta fight fans are in for a treat this Friday, April 30, as James Cermak takes on Frank White for the vacant WBC Continental Americas cruiserweight title at the Palace Banquet Centre in Edmonton. White, who recently lost his CBF cruiserweight crown to Ryan Henney of Saskatoon, will be trying to return to the win column, while Cermak will be hungry to add another victory to his five fight winning streak. The bout is scheduled for twelve rounds, with the winner to be propelled to the fifteenth spot in the WBC rankings. Other exciting contests Friday night in Edmonton include two, six round bouts, featuring CBF middleweight champion Adam Trupish against Mexican journeyman Jose Humberto Corral, and undefeated super middleweight prospect Jason DeLaronde of Edmonton against Jose Luis Alvarez of Mexico City.
Professional boxing returns to Ontario Saturday night, May 1, at the Brantford Civic Centre, when Sandy Tsagouris of Toronto takes on Diana Ayala of Colombia in an eight round, women’s featherweight contest. Tsargouris is undeniably a world class competitor, holding a victory over current WBC super featherweight champion Olivia Gerula of Winnipeg. Ayala, at just nineteen years of age, has struggled of late, but overall has faced reasonably tough opponents. Ayala’s opposition over her thirteen fight career combine for a total record of 44-44-6. Furthermore, two of Ayala’s three defeats came against then undefeated Ogleidis Suarez (4-0-1 and 7-0-1 in respective fights), with her only other loss coming to future WBC and former UBC champion Lely Luz Florez (11-3-0).
Send information regarding your Canadian amateurs and/or professionals to GM.Ross.Eastsideboxing@gmail.com.