Johnston valiant in defeat

30/07/2006

Johnston valiant in defeat

Press Release:  "Lil But Bad" Stevie Johnston, former two-time WBC lightweight champion, gave away six inches in height to former WBA light welterweight champion Vicious Vivian Harris as well as three full inches in reach. HBO's color commentator Max Kellerman said during the broadcast that Johnston fought with great skill and courage but was in with a younger, bigger, stronger opponent.  "Stevie's display of courage was special.  He kept coming in and his heart was never taken," said Kellerman.

Harris dropped Johnston at 55 seconds of round one with a powerful right cross and again at 2:40 of the opening round but was unable to finish off the valiant Johnston.  Johnston was dropped by again by right hands and was cut over his left eye at 1:30 of the fourth round before showing tremendous heart and courage and winning the round with over hand rights and combinations of punches. At one point he seemed to rock Harris but could not cause further damage before the bell ring to end the round. Johnston had another good round in the fifth round but Harris pulled the round out with a late flurry. Harris re-took command in the sixth round after getting a tongue lashing from his corner men during which they questioned his heart and his conditioning to the point of threatening to stop the fight if Harris was so "tired". 

Johnston had no answer for the powerful right hand of Harris throughout the fight and was dropped again at 1:40 of the seventh round before Harris drove him to the ropes and pummeled him until referee Raul Caiz, Jr. stepped in and stopped the fight at 2:15 of the round.
 
Vivian Harris' record improves to 27-2-1 19 KO's with the victory, while Johnston's comeback win streak was stopped at four in a row and his record falls to 39-4-1  18 KO's.