Kevin “Kingpin” Johnson Returns To Action This Friday

By James Slater – Former WBC heavyweight title challenger Kevin Johnson, 22-1-1(9) finally makes his return to the ring this Friday night in Charlotte, North Carolina, when he will face little-known journeyman Charles Davis over a scheduled eight-rounds.

“Kingpin,” still young enough to do something in the heavyweight division at age 31, fights for the first time since his dreadful fight with Vitali Klitschko; which he lost by near shut-out last December. Taking no chances in his first comeback fight, Johnson should have no problems with 39-year-old Davis, 19-20-2(4) – even if the man from Tucson is a southpaw..

In fact, Johnson already holds a win over Davis, from when the two met back in December of 2006. “Kingpin” won a wide ten-round UD that time, and he should get another rust-remover of a win this time too.

At least Davis is a pretty durable sort. Stopped just four times, the veteran has taken some good fighters the distance. Aside from Johnson, the fighter who turned pro down at 168-pounds in 1996 has also gone the limit with Aaron Williams, Devin Vargas and Dominick Guinn. However, Davis was stopped inside four-rounds last time out in June, by unbeaten prospect Luis Ortiz.

Johnson promised so much ahead of his points loss to “Dr Iron Fist,” and he went on to merely go through the motions when his big chance came. That December 2009 loss in Switzerland may have done irreparable harm to the reputation of Johnson, and many fans may have been turned off permanently.

Very much in need of a few good, impressive wins, Johnson’s start back begins at low key level on Friday. A stoppage win would be nice, but the younger, fresher, more talented fighter will probably make do with another wide points win. But will anyone watch the fight?

In other heavyweight news, it has been confirmed that Tony “The Tiger” Thompson, all set to return to action for the first time in seven months (on the Williams-Martinez II card on Nov. 20th) will face fellow southpaw Paul Marinaccio. Scheduled for ten-rounds, Thompson-Marinaccio may also go the limit. The 41-year-old “Italian Hitman” has a record of 24-5-3(11) and in his time, Marinaccio has been halted just twice.

Marinacio may be even rustier than Thompson, though, having not fought since his Feb. 2009 points loss to Ryan Thompson. Look for “The Tiger” to get back into the swing of things after his shoulder injury courtesy of a wide UD victory.