There's a young up and coming Heavyweight in the division who see's things a little differently than the rest. Kevin "Kingpin" Johnson, promoted by Star Boxing, tutored by the former Heavyweight Champion Larry Holmes looks to take the division by storm, and he aims to do so by fighting the bigger names in the division, not in his own words "garbage men" opponents.  Johnson is currently an undefeated Heavyweight (14-0-1-6KO) from Asbury Park, New Jersey. Look for Kevin to make his return to the ring on the next Antonio Tarver card scheduled in June.
BC - What's up Kevin, what's the latest with you?
KJ - What's up Brad, trying to get some help to get half of these so called Heavyweight's to the table.
BC - You're currently undefeated, what do you need to do to take your career to the next level?
KJ - My biggest story in boxing goes down like this. The average heavyweight wants to become the heavyweight champion. Right now truthfully, I don't care about becoming heavyweight champion of the world. What I care about is what I am hearing these other heavyweights claiming that they should be heavyweight champion of the world. If you think that you should be fighting for a title, or you think that you are a top contender, or you think you should be in the top 10, then I want to fight them guys, right from 10 up to number 1.
BC - Who out there would you like a crack at next ?
KJ - If I had my choice it would be Malik Scott. I do my homework on all of these guys. This guy sits back and says he one of the best fighters out there, and that he's a contender? Well he's not a contender, and he's not one of the best fighters out there,  This guy is fighting garbage men, so he is a garbage man. I am focused on guys like Jameel McCline, Malik Scott, Tye Fields, David Tua. It's not about the money with me, I would take 45 percent of my purse and throw it to charity. It's not about the money, and it's not about the title right now. I talk to Larry Holmes a lot, and he told me that he picked out all of the garbage men, and those who claimed they were the so called best. He became world champion and cleaned out the division for 7 years, and that's the way I want to do it. Larry beat all these guys before they had a chance to rise to the top, so all of these comeback fighters, David Tua's , Riddick Bowe's, I want guys like that. My skills are too much for those guys, they need to fight at the level where they should be at, fight Kevin Johnson. Guys like Joe Mesi, and Tommy Morrison? There names are on a separate piece of paper, I guarantee those guys don't go past 4 rounds with me. I will deliver a 4th round knockout to any of those guys.
BC - Promoters get fighters, they cush their records, and then they step them up. You have fought some tougher guys early in your career. Where did that idea come from?
KJ - Larry Holmes got me started in this (boxing). When I came into the game I had one mentallity, if I am with the former world champion, then I am going to do, and become what the world champion has become. I have that mentality because the heavyweight division should be like this... good should fight good, there shouldn't be no bums in the heavyweight division. How did that happen? There is so much politics and this and that, and all these guys saying they are top fighters. My shot will come when it comes... when I first came to the table, like my third fight, I fought Timor Ibragmiov. I was only 3 and 0 during that time. My brother told me 'if you want to find out if you are heavyweight champion material, it's time to step up to the table'. I stepped up, that guy was the former Olympic champion, I was 3 and 0, and I got robbed by getting a draw.
BC - How much amateur background do you have?
KJ - Joe Tessitore (ESPN) said, ' Kevin Johnson's background is the world's best kept secret'.  For 6 and a half years I sparred with guys like Monte Barrett, T.J Wilson, Maurice Harris, and other heavyweights. I did that for 6 and a half years, and those guys took me to school. It has payed off, it brought me to the top of the food-chain. Maurice Harris taught me all kinds of the tricks of the trade. None of these so called top guys will step up to the table an fight me. There is not a heavyweight out there right now that can beat me when it comes to boxing.. I mean every heavyweight has that lucky punch but...  I want David Tua for June 9th, I'll fight him on June 9th, let's see if he steps up. I am looking for a top heavyweight to fight, I could have had a garbage man yesterday, but I don't want a garbage man. Contract offers went out to all of those guys I mentioned, let's see what happens.
BC - Talk to those names that you called out, they all read Boxingtalk.
KJ - I am talking directly to guys like David Tua, Malcom Tann, Malik Scott, Tye Fields, Nobles, Holyfield get off of your high horse, I'll fight you too. Joe Mesi, Tommy Morrison, I will whip them guys straight out of New York City. Joe Mesi ain't no fighter, he's never stepped up to the table. Why did Morrison come back? I will safely whip his behind too.
BC - Closing thoughts for the Boxingtalk readers?
KJ - To the fans, I am 6ft 3 and a half, tall dark and handsome, ladies man, single father trying to run through the heavyweight division. The fastest hands in boxing will deliver to ya'll the heavyweight champion of the world. Food for thought for the entire heavyweight division, I am in real estate, so money for me isn't the issue. I will donate proceeds out of my purse and give it to charity, so let's do this.
M
Send questions and comments to: bcooney1@bellsouth.net
