Kirk Johnson Eyes WBO Champion Wladimir Klitschko Next
13.12 - Duva Boxing CEO Dino Duva, promoter for highly-ranked heavyweight Kirk Johnson, has his eyes on a WBO title fight with champion Wladimir Klitschko for the Duva Canadian heavyweight contender.
Johnson, ranked 8th by the WBA, 9th by the IBF and 10th by the WBO, got back on the winning track last Saturday night when he scored a second round knockout over Jeremy Bates on the Klitschko-Jameel McCline undercard in Las Vegas.
Johnson, a Nova Scotia native, improved his record to 33-1-1, 23 wins coming by way of knockout, while making amends for his only loss, a controversial disqualification to WBA heavyweight titlist John Ruiz.
"Kirk Johnson is back in form as one of the top heavyweights in the world," says Duva. "Kirk nearly got the fight with Wladimir Klitschko before the McCline fight was made. There were talks with HBO and Universum Boxing, Klitschko's promoter, about Kirk getting the next fight with Klitschko. We left off that if Klitschko beat McCline, we would focus on the possibility of a Klitschko-Johnson bout. Now, we're calling out Klitschko to take the fight. As soon as HBO and Universum decide on the date of Klitschko's next fight, I intend to meet with them. Kirk will make the most of the opportunity."
"I think I deserve another shot at the title to prove that I am the best." said Johnson
Duva has promoted such top heavyweights as Lennox
Lewis, Evander Holyfield, Michael Moorer, Andrew Golota,
and Tyrell Biggs in the past.
